Homecomings and Birthdays!!

                                                       My son is home!

What an extra HAPPY DAY the 7th of August was! My son returned from deployment and my sweet daughter Vikktorria celebrated her 9th birthday!

I was almost late! I was told by Port Ops that the ship would be pulling in at 2pm. I was so excited. Then the Ombudsman says no it's at 2:45pm. Then I was irritated. The ombudsman was very positive that she was right and Port Ops and no clue what they were talking about. Lesson one-Port Ops is always right.lol!
I had what felt like, so much to do. I had to drive to Elizabeth City first because my tax consultant sent my return there instead of my parents. I decided to stop at my house and see if the packers had packed my cast iron pans. I just had a feeling they were still there.
So first stop, the old house and I ended up rescuing my pans. Then a quick run into my post office to sign papers and over night them to my tax consultant. I was so thankful to get there and get it done. Then of course the kids were hungry so a quick stop at McDonald's then off to meet my friend Melissa and her kids at the Wal-Mart so that she could follow us to the ships homecoming because her husband was on the ship too! I was happy to have company and well it's always exciting to have someone with you that won't wine "I have to go pee, I'm thirsty and it's hot". HAHA!
The hardest part was parking. It's a carrier homecoming so you have like 5000 people and all their families. It was crazy. I was mad because I didn't want to park so far out. We finally parked and as we were walking I could see his ship coming in. I was so happy and so sad. I had wanted to be there not running to get there in time.
But we got there. The kids were so supper excited. I took 372 pictures of the ship coming in and people coming off.

Jamie (my husband) got to see first hand what I go through with all the kids on the pier waiting on him when he would come in. The kids that complain and want it to just be over, the kids that just can't stand still so you end up chasing them and the dreaded its it over yet, where are they....

Well the ship was in and tied and the brow was put up. The Captain called for "All Hands", everyone was getting off the boat and at the same time. The pier was just flooded with Sailors coming down to meet family and friends. All the happy faces, the tears and the ones that just wanted out.

Steve (Melissa's husband) came down the pier and there was Briana, Taylor and Ryan jumping for joy that he was home and off the boat. He's a Air guy. Now my son, he's an Engineer and well they are the last off. So we waited and I swear it was killing Kyle-ha! I had my 7 kids, husband, my dad and 2 of D.J.'s best friends waiting.

Security kept everyone off to the sides but Jamie was able to walk up the pier and find him. Ya I was a bit jealous, haha! But as the crowd began to thin out we finally saw him. Jamie was holding Immanuel and to his side was my D.J. I was so happy and Kyle was just wanting him to hurry up and run to him.ha! So I asked the security guard if my son could go and see his brother. He smiled and said yes. So Kyle took off like a bat out of hell! HAHA!! Followed by the rest of the kids and friends. It was such a happy moment.


So my kids are all back together and happy. I am so thankful for ALL of my kids. The ones I had and the ones that I have inherited. You know, I hear these kids whine and complain and wish each other away and when it happens all they want is each other back. I love it.

The Stay...

When traveling back home we normally stay at home. This time it's a little more difficult to do.

My parents are awesome. They have a house full of family, that just prooves how awesome they are. They never turn away family, never. I think that has prooven to bite them in the ass.

Originally we too were going to stay there. But today I came to the decsion that it would be too much. With our family being large and so many people already there I just didn't forsee a good out come. There would be no space and only 2 bathrooms. I could very easily stay at my sisters house, she has plenty of space. But it's like 30 min or so from my parents and the base where my husband has to go. So to save on gas and still be with our family I found a nice Inn. It's basically a 2 bedroom appartment. It will be plenty of room with my son staying with my parents (so he can hang out with his couin and Uncle) and my oldest daughter and possibly one other staying at my sisters house cause she's just so cool-lol!
It will all work out. That's what I keep telling myself-lol! I just want to be with my family as much as we can and let everyone still have their space. Not too crazy, right?
I have it all planned out..Pool, park, lots of fun. It will be so nice to spend our time with family and friends. And at the end of the day a place to stay with elbow room-lol!

Getting the cars ready.

The not so fun part about moving is that all of the cars need to be ready. When you have 3 cars that equals lots of money. Not fun to shell out-lol!

So tonight we had to put tires on the Suburban (a vehicle that sat for 5 yrs, no joke) and the Saturn....$800 later...HUH :(
Then we had to get brakes, drums, pads and rotters for the Suburban (I think that's what they were)....And $300 later.... :(
We replaced the gas tank and fuel pump in the Suburban, ugh! But now it runs like a dream....So I've been told-lol! I really can't wait to drive it :)
I was going to get seat covers but he refuses to let me get the black ones that say FORD on it-LOL!!! So I have to keep shopping around.

Now we have to change the oil and filters in all the vehicles and whatever else it is before you make a long drive. OH, when I say WE I actually mean HE-lol!

I can't believe we are so close to being out of here, YAY!!!

Where has the time gone?

Where has the time gone?

I have been so busy and it seems like every time I say I'm coming on here I forget what I am doing and then log off my laptop..lol!

Well we are at the last leg of my sons deployment. I am so happy and ready for him to come home.

Yes, that's his ship..The USS Abraham Lincoln and some awesome planes above. He is having a great time out there. He loves it and I am so glad. He did have some moments where he was just flat out tired from all of the work. But he pushed on and did what needed to be done. He makes me so proud. He misses home and all of us here miss him too!

He was lucky enough to see places that not many can say they saw. I just hope he took lots of pictures for his memories and well for me-haha!!

He missed a lot.. Birthday's, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, the other holidays. But he did get to call home. I loved that he called as much as he could. I could always hear how he felt in his voice. It made me sad a couple of times when he called tired and I'd think he was upset. He would reassure me that he was just tired and hadn't gotten much sleep due to his watches and well his job. Proud I tell you!

Well now we will get to make up for all of the missed time :)  I can't wait! Our entire family and his friends are excited for him to be home.

Missing my Son

Oh my, It's been too long.

So much has happened and I just don't know where to begin.

Well my oldest son is enjoying his deployment. He said it's hard work but he loves it. He has been working on all of his qual's and standing plenty of watches and he loves what he's doing out there. Thankfully he calls home very often. I love being able to hear his voice. I miss him so much. They have extended his deployment 2 times.

Now having said all of that we are up for orders. So that means a move is in our future. I'm torn. I am so torn up about moving this time for two reasons.
1. We wanted shore duty in North VA. This way we were going home and would be with family. Not happening. We are going cross country.
2. We wanted to be near our son. Now we will be opposite sides of the country.

I love moving. It's like a fresh start every time. New places, new people....New everything. Plus we are so use to it. This is the one place I and the kids have lived for this long. It's time for a change. Thankfully we got orders to a nice place and it will help hubby's career as well.

I hate that my son will be here and not with us. I know he's a grown man. I know it's time to "cut the cord". He's my oldest son/child but always my baby. I am going to worry about him so much. But I have faith that he will continue to grow and do great things even though I am not going to be able to physically hold his hand like I totally would like to-lol!

He's missing home and all of his little brothers and sisters. He spends money like a girl-lol! But he's doing better. We've sent out 4 packages so far and he loved them. I have another one going out this week. Full of dark chocolates. Yes I miss my baby! He's such a good boy.

This is a part of our military life. You say hello and see you later. But regardless I love this life.

D.J. Goes To His Ship...

So last week my son left to meet his ship. Yes I cried...I miss my boy. He was so excited and happy to finally be leaving for his ship. All of the kids are missing their big brother too.
We all went to the base to spend time with him at the air port. I actually met him at TPU as they were all loading up then lucky me, I got to take him and another guy to the air port since they ran out of room in the vans. I was happy to have my baby with me.

Shortly after we got to the air port Jamie and the kids arrived. I was glad that they got there when they did. I didn't want us to miss any time with D.J.

So there we are, all of us with him waiting. It was actually a really long wait. HAHA. I was glad but felt bad for the little ones because they were getting really tired. They all had a good time together hanging out in the air port and playing. near the end we discovered there was a play room there. Jamie took the little ones to play but then it was getting pretty full so then all the little ones came back to play with big brother.

 Getting copies of his orders. Sad moment for me but proud at the same time.

Kyle and D.J. playing around as always-ha!

The girls (Marrissa, Alleynna,Vikktorria and Gabbriella) with their big brother. They miss him bunches.

The long wait began. It was fine till it started to get dark. Then when it was time to get on a bunch of other Sailor showed up late so that held up the flight another hour. I was glad but again the little ones were hungry and tired. So they finally began calling for everyone to board. I was really sad. had to hug my baby twice and I didn't want to let go of him either. I am so proud of him and can't wait to hear from him. It's been 5 days and I have still not heard from him. No telling if he's on the ship yet but I know how it goes and I will continue to wait for his email or call and pray that he is safe out there and doing the best that he can.

And He's Off....

This is my sons last weekend home. Next week he will fly out to meet his ship. For safety reasons I won't say where. But I am so going to miss him like crazy.

He is my oldest and it was hard as can be when he left for boot camp but now on to a full on deployment. He is so excited and I am for him but I'm a mommy and I am gonna worry about him a lot. I'm so glad he is going to see the world and I am so proud of what he is doing. I know a lot of people have no real appreciation for he is doing but I do.

I hope that he takes lots of pictures. Who am I kidding, he's my son, of course his camera will be clicking away-lol! I told him, "all you have to remember is get mom a Rosary where ever you go." My kids know how much I love the Rosary.

So here he starts to really see the world and I am happy to know that we raised him right and got him out the door in one piece. I'm gonna miss my son. I look forward to hearing his voice when he calls home and seeing all of his pictures.

Happy New Year!

Yes, that's right...We are all alive!

We have survived another year and have so much to prepare for in this new year. But what about last year? Was it what you expected? Did you accomplish anything?

Well, for me it wasn't at all what I expected. I had all of these plans and really didn't get them done. For the past few years I've told myself I am not going to set any New Years resolutions...Why? I never stick with any of them and it all becomes a big lie.

Well it's time to do something. I am over weight and I am not happy with it at all. What bothers me the most about it is I want to be healthy for my kids and myself. My back kills me. I don't like that pain.
I hate where I live. Most of my friends are in Virginia and at least there I could go for walks with my friends. Not here. So I sit and do nothing.
I love to cook and love to eat what I cook...humm... That's a problem cause I'm a good cook-hahaha!!
So I guess I need to learn to cook differently. This is gonna go over well. I am not sure where or how I am gonna start.
The funny thing is that when I am pregnant I will follow a diet to the T. After words it's like a free for all. But I have 8 awesome reasons for changing my way of eating so that I will live a healthy and happy new year!