I have such a big little man

Sometimes I wonder who is taking care of who here. Little Joe has really had some very grown up moments lately. It makes me smile to think he is growing up to be so compassionate....especially when dealing with his good ole Mom :). Just a few things that have happened since Big Joe left.

After dropping Big Joe off at the airport and saying our last goodbyes I got back in the car and was crying. Little Joe had been upset as well, but as I tried to pull myself together enough to drive away he looked up at me and said, "Mama, I think we should play 'I spy'." He knew playing a game would get my mind off of being sad......so sweet.

A couple of days later, I laid down to take a nap while Garrett took one. Joe came into my room. I thought it was going to be the usual "Mama I need help with......Mama can you open this" type thing but no. He came in, pulled up a blanket on me, gave me a kiss, and started out the door. As he was closing it he said "Mama, if you need anything just call." Melt my heart kid!!!

Then today I had the terrible task of push mowing the ditch between our property and the street. Since we have lived here Big Joe has always done this chore....it is hot, and pretty tiring.(The county mows it a couple of times a season but they only do like 2 feet and it just looks terrible next to a freshly mowed yard). Again Garrett was asleep and I told Joe I would be outside mowing and to play quietly. I was about 2/3 done when he comes out and says "Mama don't go behind those trees. It's too close to the street and you could get hurt." I guess since he had never seen me that close to the street he was pretty concerned. :)

I love watching him grow. But I never thought he would be so "responsible" this early. It's amazing to see. I just love him to pieces.

Went to South Carolina for a bit :)

After Joe left a firend of mine invited the boys and I out to her place in South Carolina. She has three lovely girls her youngest having similar health issues as Joe (not to mention they are only 3 days apart). We had a good time just hanging out, swimming, and shopping. My poor friend just moved into this house and she was living out of boxes. We had wanted to take a weekend trip to the beach but weather had other plans for us. Anyway we had a great time and it really helped the kids and I get our minds off of Big Joe being gone. Speaking of which I haven't heard much from him only a few emails. Evidently there are phone issues.
One lil piece of excitement on the trip was I had to go to Labor and Delivery. Ugh. My kids always wanna come early, but after a couple of shots and some fluids my contractions stopped. The lil one is very low according to an ultrasound and she is also measuring about 2 weeks ahead of schedule! Hopefully I can stay outta there til at least early October. I have a feeling my doc will put me on some meds or bedrest for a while to keep this pumpkin in.
Overall I am feeling ok though. Deployment mode has set in and it is nice to be home again. I got to pick some of my corn this evening...and it looks like my tomatoes will be ready in the next couple of days. Who knows about my watermelon....heheheh this is my first year growing them.
Thanks for all of the well wishes from everyone. It is greatly appreciated. Hope everyone has a lovely day!

It's not easy being (Army) green.

note*** total weepy woman who is complaining/venting ahead

Joe is gone....again. And I have to admit I am not the perfect poised officer's wife at these times. Joe and I get a lot of "I don't know how you do it" from non-military families. I usually answer with "Joe loves what he does and I do what I need to do to make sure things are working well while he is away." But on days like today....I am a wreck. I don't know how much I have cried since last night. I cried at the airport and in front of my lip quivering 5 year old. I didn't sleep either. I just laid next to the love of my life listening to his heartbeat and the steady rhythm of his breathing. I try to see the positives like tell myself "no more smelly socks for a while" and "I don't *have* to cook if I don't want to" and the extra money is nice. But on days like today I think of the last time he touched my face, the last time he held my hand, or rubbed my pregnant belly. And the tears come once again. Luckily for me the first few days are the worst. Soon my deployment mode will kick in, and I will have a routine and I will find comfort in a phone call. But today I am allowing myself to be sad. And today as the familiar clinking of dogs tags hit my chest I will think of the man who gives everything for his family and his country.

Happy Birthday Little Joe!!!!

Holy moly! I cannot believe my first baby is now 5!!!!!! He was so excited and had a great time at his party. We had it here at the house with just close friends and family. He wanted a firetruck theme. I made his cake as usual (sorry Connie, they are an injustice compared to yours). He didn't eat any of it, but lots of people said it was pretty yummy :). My Dad and his new lady friend spent some time with both both but they cuddled with Garrett quite a bit and it was very sweet. After the kids broke open the pinata Dad and Garrett had suckers together. Garrett kept grabbing Dad's...it was very sweet.

I kinda feel like this birthday was a right of passage for both lil Joe and I. Just seems like he is an official "kid" now. It's pretty bittersweet. Big Joe and I stayed up til about midnight watching old home movies of Joe when he was a baby. It is so amazing to see some of the little quirks he still does, but has grown sooooo much. It's truly amazing and a blessing that Joe has come this far. I love you, buddy. Hope it was an awesome day.

Paper Books

Creative Memories has come out with these cute little "paper books". They are small and compact. Plus they come with paper and stickers :). I thought they were a great idea to send with Joe to Korea. So I made one for each of the boys. Here are just a few pages I made for each of them :) Enjoy.

This is what happens....

...when you refuse to take a morning nap. Yesterday I had a very fussy baby on my hands. But when this happened at lunchtime I couldn't stay frustrated. He's also been walking for about a week now. Getting into EVERYTHING!!! I find it very interesting on where I find his treasures now.....like my packing tape in a potted plant. hehehehe goof ball.