Classics

Thanks to http://www.netflix.com/ and http://www.pandora.com/  I have been engrossed with the things of old. Be it movies, music, or just pictures from Life magazine (via an ipad app). I seem to have become more cheerful and easy going. I know it is all in my head, but there is something so exhilarating about dancing to good music with my little girls. We always have a blast! Makayla loves that Elvis Presley sound, Rock-A-Billy. Not only do we have a lot of fun, but I feel a lot better after shaking, twisting and dancing. Plus I am sure I am burning a lot more calories than just sitting around and cleaning. If you sometimes struggle with cleaning the same things EVERYDAY, try dancing while doing it. Time flies and before you know it all the monotonous work for the day is over! *Except that last stubborn load of laundry that never seems to go away!

It very well may be my personal preference, but these songs and movies just are good for the soul!

As I write this, I am listening to (and singing along with BADLY) The Righteous Brothers hit "You've lost that lovin' feelin'"! Besides Top Gun, this song fills my mind of memories of driving to the grocery store or the movie store and having my dad sing all these songs!

 

You see, I share a kind of intimacy with this genre of music and movies. I can not watch or listen to them without conjuring images of my best-est friend in the whole world! It may be true that we do not talk every day, heck we have gone months without talking! But when someone means that much to you, they really never leave your heart. Saskia and I grew up together, and I like to think that a part of her grew in me, and I can only hope to have a special place in that Jesus loving heart of hers!

*I dream about visiting Graceland before I die, traveling to Italy, France and Germany. I will definitely hit up those tourist spots, but the majority of my time, I would like to travel in the countryside. Going to local hangouts and eateries.

Alright, I am going to close my laptop and get some rest while listening to "Crazy" by Patsy Cline.

Good night all!

J'mapelle Jamie

Fall is here in Georgia

These shots are what we expected to find in Georgia around this time of year. It is happening, just a lot slower than expected. You see, we are from sunny Southern California and were excited to actually see trees change color. We were eager to appreciate four seasons, not just two, 1 being hot and dry about 300 days a year, and the rest is chilly (by California standards) and wet (also California standards). California is a large state with vastly different climates and cultures in itself. Obviously I am sharing things from where I am from. Hang on, let me explain...

California standards for weather are most likely very mild compared to other parts of this great country of ours.

Summer is hot and dry and lovely! Temperatures normally gets above 100 Fahrenheit. I personally do not start complaining until it gets to 110. I remember one summer we had to fill up 2 gallon jugs with water and freeze it, then place it in the cages for our rabbits. I believe we lost all but two to that crazy heat wave. Oh, I can not forget about our famous, or infamous depending on your stance, lightning storms that envelope the sky all around you. We can not discuss summer is So Cal without talking about fire season. The worst thing about the year is FIRE SEASON!

Fall officially kicks off in September, but we do not get any relief from the warmth until mid November. The leaves of trees appear to have turned brown and withered over night. However, we do not get a lot of leaves falling unless they are not native to the area. Thanksgiving is always a great time of year: families getting together and the kids playing out front skateboarding or riding bikes. Last time it snowed was in 2004. In snowed for almost half an hour, but people were knocking on their neighbor's door and everyone was outside on the street TRYING to have a snow ball fight!

Winter is normally dry and cold. Waking up to dew freezing over lawns, porches, windows, trees, windshields. Probably the closest feeling I have had to that special magic of waking up and finding fresh snow blanketing your yard. I loved waiting at the bus stop and seeing my breath escape from my mouth. Sweaters, jeans, hoodies, boots, and sneakers.... No umbrellas or large parkas for us, that comes later!

From March to May break out your umbrellas and rain boots for Spring is here! Spring brings blooms, tad poles, puddles, worms on the sidewalk, lunches inside the multi-purpose room. The flooding always makes trips out to the movie rental store more exciting. Hanging out with friends while it is pouring outside seemed almost prophetic to being an adult. It is really a glorious time. Filled with new and exciting things like recess inside and rainy day schedules!!!!

WOW! Get a grip on reality. For a second there, I saw myself with my head down on the desk and my thumb in the air, just DARING someone to touch my thumb! I would try desperately to peek at their shoes, trying to ensure me the honor of being the select few! Or, in second grade playing Four Corners trying desperately to be the last person standing! Those were all good times. Things did not seem so serious, I guess my parents did a great job at making me have no worry except what I would do for fun tomorrow.



Happy Birthday Nicole

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICOLE!

27 YEARS OLD



This is my sister and her gorgeous daughter Hope. My sister has been through a lot in her short years of life. She was a tom boy that I secretly wanted to be like when she was just a kid. Very talented in everything she tried, whether it was school, art, sports, or friends. She has a very odd sense of humor, but we get each other. We were virtual enemies one minute and then best friends and confidants as kids. She is three years my senior and is such a brave, kind hearted woman. Just do not than threaten her or her family!

She has endured more than most people will ever in their entire lifetime. She decided to be on her own when she was still so young. She went off to live with friends and her boyfriend. That latest all of about 3 or 6 months. It was such a strange time. Okay, lets be honest, she ran away. From what, I truly can not say, for I do not know. When she began to exert her independence, she put up a wall in between her and our family. In a crude way, she stuck a certain finger in our faces and walked away. Our family's love and worry for her never diminished.

***Please forgive me if this is all wrong. It is based on my assumptions and observations when I was very young***

From what I can remember, we did not really have our relationship back until she was involved in a car accident. She decided to go to the beach with a couple guys, AFTER they had all been partying and drinking. Anyone familiar with Southern California's Inland Empire will know that driving the Ortega Highway is dangerous, let alone while driving drunk!!!!

To say that that particular decision changed her life would be a vast underestimate. We got a call some 20 or so hours after the accident. You see, a friend of hers, finally  called our family and informed us of what happened, mind you she was a minor. I believe she was only 15 years old. If you are wondering why we were not informed from the hospital, it is because she was unconscious and the guys were drunk and walked away without a scratch after totalling their new green Dodge truck by slamming into a wall and a tree.

They decided, collaboratively, to say that they did not know who she was, they told the cops that she was some hitchhiker they picked up on the side of the road! UUgghhhh That thought still brings shock and horror to my heart....

Needless to say, she was listed as a Jane Doe and was in a chemically induced coma due to the massive trauma of her frontal lobe (where she was slammed under the dashboard). The neurologist cautioned us that she may never fully recover, she may become a vegetable for the rest of her life.

Oh yeah, not only were we thrown this news, but the doctors also informed us she was pregnant...

PREGNANT!

It was the oddest thing. To be so fearful of losing your sister, then to be suddenly afraid she might lose her baby, would would be my niece or nephew. I pray no one ever experiences such harsh realities!

***A long story short, she eventually came out of her coma, but she had brain damage from all the swelling and the trauma. She had to relearn everything! Coloring in the lines, speech, walking, eating, etc... Her memory was also very impaired. To this very day, her memory is sketchy...

By the way, that baby survived. On March 2, 2001. By the way, did anyone notice? 3-2-1 :) Tyler Logan was born! Followed soon by his sister, Hope (pictured above).

I absolutely love my sister and am excited to see where God has brought her. God is amazing and truly does not give us more than we can  handle.

Thank you Jesus for allowing my sister to still be here with us. My niece and nephew would not be here without her.
Happy Birthday Nicole!

As a side note, there is more, much,much, much more to Nicole's testimony and experiences.

Time flies when you are having FUN!

Sometimes we fully intend to do something and God steps in... We, as a family, decided to Trick-or-Treat last year for the very first time. It was fun! The girls went as a princess and a ladybug. So, when we arrived in Georgia at our new home, we were excited to TOT. We thought it would help Georgia feel like home. So we went out, bought costumes for all four of us! and us three girls even had wigs! Then one thing happened after another. Our Army base scheduled TOT-ing for Friday the 29th, which my husband was planning on going to a men's wildlife fellowship dinner that same night. So we decided to go to a neighboring base to TOT on Saturday the 30th. And we just didn't feel it that day. We could not get into the so-called "spirit". So then we resigned to just TOT on the actual holiday. Until my hubby got called into flight receiving duty.

You would think that after the 3rd unsuccessful try at it I would get the hint. Well, I did not. I was bummed out, for the girls... Which, in itself is a joke, because they could not care less! They just love to dress up! Which, while unpacking another box chock full of dress up outfits this very morning confirmed this.

Then I came across a fellow bloggers post about Trick-or-Treating. Definitely got my spirit shouting hooray as I finally got it! I was placing my doubts and thoughts on the back burner, just so I could feel okay about taking my girls TOT-ing. I will definitely be searching my heart and God's word to answers my girls may have when they are older. But, until then, I will relish in them not having that desire to TOT at such a young age.

Here is the aforementioned post. Read, contemplate, and come to your own understanding. http://briansgirl1999.blogspot.com/2010/10/mommy-why-dont-we-celebrate-halloween.html

God Bless our Troops!

Pictures Pictures Pictures



The Clubhouse





The Pool



Our Kitchen

The Gym

My Captain America

So. I got to finally see my soldier in his costume. I cracked up! His body looks great, but the mask has a few issues. Number 1 being his nose is a little big, so it stretches awkwardly around his eyes. And number 2, those little wing-like things are too flimsy and fall down like a puppy. :) I have no idea why this makes me so happy! But, alas, it does. You see, my husband of 5 and a half years is a goof ball! He is always the first one laughing at movies or jokes, even if he told the joke. But, lately, he has been a lot more serious, actually, from the minute we picked him up from Basic. I love my man, whether he is his goofy self or serious.

We received some free comics at the PX is the past couple months. We got two that had Captain America in them. My girls enjoyed the story and the pictures. I enjoyed reading my FIRST Captain America comic. Yes, I know I lead a sheltered life. Which reminds me that I still have not seen one Godfather movie. I think I will do a post of all the surprising, and not so surprising things I haven't done, seen, or read. I am getting excited! This my me time!

Good things TRULY do come to those that wait

So... I am beginning to feel at home here in Georgia. I am looking forward to strolling down by the river during Christmas. To cook Thanksgiving dinner for just us four Mitchells. To buying a nice, comfy sofa and love seat. To buying a nice flat screen TV. To relaxing on the couch. Finally having everything we might need when it comes to throwing together a meal.

***These things might seem a little materialistic, or trivial to some. But Josh and I are just totally excited to be where we are today. We are financially secure, and, well, it just feels GREAT! God really is amazing. We are getting back to actually budgeting our finances for things we need and things we WANT! We have all we need right now. But we are choosing to do the responsible thing and keep a little in savings. So we are couch and TV-less. :) I am sure we seem strange to most Americans, but we do not mind. We are willing to go without for a while to make sure we get a good deal AND continue to save for future emergencies.

Alright, now away form all that financial mumbo-jumbo.... Today is a very special day. My hubs us at work, then he will be crossing the border and headed to South Carolina for dinner. Where he will be attending a good friend's church manly cookout. They will be serving your usual steak, ribs, and sides.... But the cool part, is they will be serving veal, venison, and (are you ready for this?) ALLIGATOR! :) I will be waiting eagerly and not so patiently to find out what it taste like and the texture and all the minor details. :)
Tomorrow our whole family will be dressing up for Halloween. We will be a cute story book witch, a classic ladybug, Robin, and Captain America! :) I am most eager to see my hubs in his costume. He refuses to try it on. I guess it is sort of a good thing. That way he wont try it on and then refuse to go trick or treating with us.
I will be uploading lots of pics on Sunday or Monday. So get ready to laugh and save a copy for yourselves. I am sure this will be Josh's first, and last, time in tights!
***Until then, please feel free and comment. My narcissism is fading. Just playing.

FINALLY!

Isn't it great when you can FINALLY move into your new home? Well tomorrow we are officially lease owners to a great apartment that will make us feel completely at home, well that is once we purchase all of our new furniture, which is an adventure in itself! :) So here is our NEW floor plan:

Yes, I know, I have way too much time on my hands to take a generic layout and place my desired furniture color combinations. BUT It was a lot of fun! Feels good to see it on paper, or screen. We believe we have narrowed down our search to 3 furniture stores. THREE! UGH! Is furniture shopping always such a hassle. I enjoyed sitting on different fabrics, textures furniture, but after a few times, you forget what all the other sofa, love seat, chairs, chaise felt like. And I am completely daunted to try and not make the wrong choice.

By the way, Josh and my preference on style, color, and texture could not be further apart! It is kind of fun, in a way. Getting to imagine each set in our new apartment! After all, we will be using these for a LONG time.

So onto other things. My beautiful SIL asked for some details on our new place, so here it goes...

They are gorgeous, pics to come soon. We are on the third floor, THIRD! So many stairs... Makes me think I will be texting the hubs on grocery lists and having him pick things up from the comm after work. :) Shhh don't tell him.

There is a gorgeous resort style pool, with a large sun deck, with some arbors with swinging seats that look as if they fit two adults. There are two grills on the BBQ island. A "lake" really a pond right outside our balcony, with a fountain.

The apartments have a full gym, a tanning bed, billiard/entertainment room (that has NFL RedZone, DVD's, cable, etc.), a dog walk area, a business center (free internet use, fax machine, photo copier, blah blah blah.....

Only down side is we pay for all utilities, water, trash, electricity, and any other options we choose to have.

So we will be moving all of our stuff there and organizing this weekend. Monday, we will have our HHG's delivered. Can't wait to lay lay down on my OWN bed, in our OWN room! :)

Jamie

FRG

I have been dying to try out our new FRG. I was hoping to use them as a support and question/answer system; due to this being our first duty station. I know the majority of readers have warned me to run as fast as I can away from the FRG. But I am stubborn and do not care to rely fully on someone else and their experiences. I listen to their advice and consider it, but I always find out for myself. Call it being bullheaded, stubborn, or a rebel; either way I always feel the need to discover things on my own.

But alas, no such luck...

My husband has not been assigned to an official unit yet. He is doing "Rear D" on post. He is pretty much a grunt right now. So not only are we home-less (we are staying in a hotel) but we are thrust into our "new normal" and even this is just temporary. My husband and I have have been at the Lord's and the ARMY's mercy for the last eight months!

To have my girls take all this and still be their adorable, yet stubborn selves is a mystery. I knew kids are said to be resilient, but I truly thought there would be some kind of trauma from all the moving and the majority of their toys being in storage. But they are their same Jesus-loving, LOUD selves! I am seriously gonna re-evaluate the sheer vastness of their toys and give a lot away. I found they use their imaginations even more and are more willing to play nicely with each other.

Gees, I am such a mom. I start this out with my wants and desires, yet very soon the conversation evolves into thoughts and praise for my girls. :)

Back to my FRG-thing. I have vowed to not let drama or gossip keep me from joining, volunteering, and being active in the FRG; that is, if we ever get assigned to one. :) I am vowing to enjoy this time that God has displaced our family. It will all work out.

You just watch and see....

errrr, read!

In-Transit!!!!

We are so excited to be this close to an actual home. It has been 8 months since we were all together in Menifee, California. Since then we have moved in one fashion or the other 6 times!!! And us girls have driven across country 4 times!!!
1. From Menifee to Bullhead, AZ just us girls (while Josh was in Bootcamp for 11 weeks)
2. Road Trip across country from Bullhead, AZ to Coumbia, SC my mom and us girls
3. Road Trip from South Carolina to Newport News, VA Josh and us girls(where we stayed for 4 months)
4. Road Trip from Virginia to Menifee, CA Janet (SIL) and us girls (vacation for 12 days)
5. Road Trip from Menifee to Georgia...JUST us girls
6. Stayed at Fort "A" for 12 days of in-processing
7. Drove to Fort "B" stayed at temporary lodging for 1 week
8. Moved off post waiting for base housing to open up.
9. and HERE we are

As you can probably guess, we are staying in a small studio apartment in the hopes of having our dream house open up on base. The only down side will be to see if all this waiting paid off.

Sending good vibes and prayers for God's timing and will. :)

Support Our Law Enforcement and Safe Neighborhoods Act

***Formally Arizona Senate Bill 1070***

I know one should never openly discuss politics. Since the majority of the time it is far too emotional and tempers flare. But I believe in an open forum where EVERYONE can express their views on this controversial law. It will be going into effect on July 29, 2010. That is in 7 days. However, today (actually right now as a matter of fact) Judge Bolton is hearing arguments to impose an injunction that will stop the bill from officially becoming a law until the lawsuit is decided.
I pray that she makes a decision that she can live with and is not persuaded by sheer numbers of supporters or opposers of the bill. She, Bolton, is a judge. Which means she is in place to make sure that trials and hearings are conducted in a constitutionally fair manner. She must also try to safeguard the legal rights of EVERYONE in their courtroom. She is to ensure that the proper rules and procedures are followed.
I would love your input on the matter at hand. Be courteous and respectful of EVERYONE'S views. Even if they differ from yours.

But first, read the bill in it's summary.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Support_Our_Law_Enforcement_and_Safe_Neighborhoods_Act

Following Daddy wherever he gets sent

This picture was a total fluke. It turned out AMAZING!

We were eating lunch by the lake at Fort Jackson, and I was my usual camera happy self. I snapped everything I could. We had been separated from Feb 15th to April 29th. We were separated for my birthday, his birthday, April's Fools Day, and 71 other days.
When we were reunited, it was on the anniversary of our 7 years as a couple. We have gotten into disagreements, arguments, hell... we even got into a few fights (all verbal & emotional), but we have NEVER stopped being together.
12 weeks of AIT and a promotion later, we are coming to the end of his beginning in the ARMY. He will be assigned to a unit and our lives will settle into our new normal.

It literally took me 15 minutes re-reading what I wrote above.The rest is all so "up in the air" That is where everything goes it's own way. We are almost til the 13th week... That leaves a measly 3 weeks to PCS to our first station. I have no idea where. He still has no orders. This is the single sentence I have been saying a few times a day since the Fourth of July.
The only thing I know for sure, is I will be in charge of packing and moving things and our girls. "J" may have to move on without us girls while we get everything situated. I know it is always a possibility, but it just sucks! :)
Ever since "J" joined the ARMY, I resigned myself that we will be placed and moved and shuffled to the needs of the ARMY ( and ultimately GOD). It was such a refreshing change to relinquish control. To not have to worry about where and if it is the right place for us.
**And in many ways, it still is. I would just like to have a little more time to get used to the idea. To plan an A, B, and C scenario.... I want to get on a housing list ASAP... to check out neighborhoods and preschools off post. To have some direction... Does that make me a so-called "Indian Giver"? I willing sat in the backseat and let The Lord drive, and now I am begging for God to tell me where we are going? Telling God, "I am sure where you wanted to take us was really great, but did you see that city you just passed? It was gorgeous!"
IDK... I just simply do not know...
So I am going to continue prepping Makayla to kick pre-school booty in school. To search for a good breed or mix of breeds for our new dog. Working out everyday... AND that is pretty much it... :)

Mama Suvey

1 month old


3 weeks old

Baby age? 4 & 2 1/2
Name? Makayla Lynn & Summer Skye
Before/after due date? 2 weeks after (induced and water broke by doctor) & 2 days before
Birthday? 6.21.06 & 11.15.07
Time of Birth? 3.18pm & 11.25am
How long did labor last? 3 hours & 5 hours from first contraction
Who was in the room? Daddy & Daddy
How long did u push? 13 minutes & 5 minutes
Weight? 9lbs & 8lbs 4oz
Length? 20" & 21.5"
Any hair? Yes dark brown & Yes very thin blond hair
How much weight did u gain? 49lbs & 38lbs
Who does baby look like? Mama & Daddy
Who drove you home? Daddy & Daddy
How many baby showers? 1 & 1
When did baby sleep through the night? 7 days & 2 days
Did you breast feed? Yes 6 months & Yes 7 months
If not, or after; which formula? Enfamil & Costco Brand
How did you pick the name? Internet & Internet
How did u know it was time to go to the hospital? scheduled to get induced & contractions 5 min apart for an hour
When do u want another baby? depends on what day u ask Daddy & me
Pain management? Epi & Epi
Did u go home after the hospital? Yes & Yes

Half Way There

So...

We survived our first weekend without Daddy in a LONG TIME! Due to the Lock-Down in preparation for the FTX that starts in a few hours. That means I got only 5 DAYS until I get my man back in my arms! I had a very hard time sleeping without my husband this weekend. When you get used to a routine, when it all of a sudden changes, it can easily turn your whole life upside down.
Well... Maybe it wasn't "without" Daddy. We brought Daddy dinner Saturday and Sunday. We had an amazing time together. Saturday the girls slept through out the time. But they were both awake and played with Daddy in our car today. Just being so close to my husband makes my heart swell with happiness and contentment. I know we will be continually separated, BUT that just makes me appreciate what little time we get together. I did not expect this positive attitude at all.


In the past, when I felt neglected or ignored, I would become Super-Beotch! I would be short, rude, and just put out there those vibes of resentment. No, it was never right, but it was my insecurities that would make me push him away. Which would make him not want to be around my attitude, which would make me even more pissy! LOL It was just another crazy cycle.

My fear with Josh joining the ARMY, is that I would be that evil, insecure person ALL THE TIME! I am so impressed with God. He designed marriage, my husband, and myself so perfectly! When conflict arises in a relationship, especially in a marriage, it is supposed to bring about more intimacy. Conflict is healthy, as long as both parties handle it correctly, with love and respect!

So... I will be keeping myself busy this week.

***Watch, we get orders this week, when I can't tell Josh! So I will not tell ANYONE til my hubby knows where the Army is sending him (and us girlies, too).
**************************************
As a side note, I am watching a repeat of Nancy Grace. She just did her signature sign off where she honors our military members who gave the ULTIMATE sacrifice. There was a CPL in the Marines who enjoyed riding his Ducati... which he pronounced as "Duke-a-tea". That made me smile. How funny, I forgot his name already. But I will never forget his face, or his love of his "Duke-a-tea"! :) He gave his life March 4, 2009. He died at the age of 25. He would have been just one year older than my husband.

Thank You!

**************************************
So here are my goals for the week:

1. Go swimming at least 2 times this week

2. Workout EVERY day

3. Check his orders every day

4. Resist revealing any new information til my hubby knows

5. Try at least 2 new recipes

6. Pamper myself (paint my nails, facial, etc)

7. Meet up with a good friend and give her a few baby gifts

Yes, that is a pretty short list!

I WON!!!!!

I finally won something! As a kid I was "lucky"... But once I hit 12 or 13 years old, I never won anything in a drawing... Until today! A friend of mine's blog has really taken off. She has two shops on etsy.

The first is Heaven Baked Sweets.

http://heavenbakedsweets.blogspot.com/2010/07/friday-feature-jewelsbytrish.html

**That link is of the contest I entered and won on her Blog. Follow her links to the actual etsy shop.** Everything looks so amazing! She makes dry mixes of bakery and miscellaneous items: cookies, cobblers, coffee creamers, and she makes her own syrups. Yum! Head on over and take a look. Your mouth will water!!!

The second shop is called Paper From Heaven.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/paperfromheaven?page=2

This is all her hand sewn crafts: onesies, crayon-rolls, notebook covers, hand made stationary, etc. It is a refreshing read.

Go... Shop... Enjoy...

I DID IT!

I tried to copy and paste her button, along with others, and I can't seem to find out how or where to paste it. Eventually I will master this blog and all of it's possibilities. :)

SPC Jason Dean Hunt

ACU's, Stiletto Shoes, and Pretty Pink Tutus: If this doesn't make you proud...

Please read this blog and follow the links provided. This is a horrible example of a Soldier who lost his life for our country, and how he was (or WAS NOT) honored! Please pass this around and raise awareness. I do not have much to say, but thank you for taking a few minutes out of your day to make a difference! HOOAH!

MY BEAUTIFUL FAMILY

This wonderful shot was taking my me. Like always. I was going through the MASS amounts of pictures and it turns out I am barley in any of them... I guess I am just your typical picture happy mama. I want to document almost everything. But by doing so, I am, sadly, left out of most pictures. I am very pleased with Makayla and Summer. They have developed a love of picture taking at a very young age. Now that we got our camera charger, I will be turning over the reins, so to speak. I am looking forward to the day where I can look back at pictures with me actually in them. :) I will be able to say, "see.... I was there..." I love my life!
Makayla, Daddy, and Summer

Sometimes the most beautiful flowers are the ones we over look. My girls have always been drawn to nature. When we were staying in Arizona with Grandma Lisa, we couldn't walk the dogs without Makayla or Summer bringing home "crystals" or plain-Jane looking rocks that they thought were priceless. Each time they would bring them home, they would say that they were going to mail them to Daddy at Boot Camp. :)

These pictures were also taken at Newport News Park using my cell phone. Can you tell they thrive in front of the camera?

**********************************

As of this morning at 1100 hours, still no orders. My friend told me she believed we would get my DH's orders on Tuesday. Well, tomorrow is D-Day. If we do get the orders, I will be buying her and her beautiful kids lunch or dinner. In celebration... (Please, don't be Korea....)

Korea is not wanted for the following reasons:

1. Josh doesn't want us 3 to tag along with him there.... Boo!

2. PCS-ing will be difficult enough for the first time, let alone being separated from my husband for a year!

3. yea... those two pretty much encompass every reason why I do not want to send my man off to Korea without his girls.

*Please ignore the fact, that they kind of go hand-in-hand: being separated from my Soldier.....

FUN TIMES IN VIRGINIA

I love my hubby! He is in the total weapon immersion, it lasts for two weeks. He has to carry around his M16 everywhere he goes. It is in preparation for the FTX that will be coming up shortly.

I love this picture of me and Makayla. I also love his PC. So much better looking than that damn Beret. :)

Makayla loves taking pics. Us having dinner with Josh by the DFAC.

Makayla having a popsicle right before we went swimming.

Summer is really turning out to be a Fish. She is so proud of herself that she can swim by herself. Well, with the vest on, but still. Daddy will be going swimming with us tomorrow. I can't wait to have Daddy see her. :) My little baby is growing up so fast!!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This video is one of many from our Independence Day. Josh and myself took our two girls to downtown Newport News for a great celebration. We were on a patch of grass right above the Atlantic Ocean. Well, a bay first... but not sure which one. So to cover all the bases, the Atlantic Ocean, if you will. What you can't see in this video is Makayla's friend. They were sitting next to us. This adorable little boy who was about her age. They were almost battling. It was the cutest thing to watch. I wanted to record him so bad, but did not, since I knew I was going to post this on here.

Makayla always cracks me up with her facial expressions. When she hold her head up, and almost completely closes her eyes, smiles, and slowly turns her head away from the boy, it almost looks like she is saying.... "okay, that move is pretty good, but watch this!!!!" :)

Summer has ALWAYS been able to keep a beat effortlessly. Makayla and I always have to work at it. :) When she puts her hands on her hips, she looks so darn cute!!!!! She is going to be a heart breaker, if she ever lets her hair grow out. :)

Tell me what you think Makayla is saying with her looks. I would love an outsiders opinion....

Your Blogging Fool...

Jamie Mitchell

No orders yet, BUT....

I get a call from my DH today with good news and bad news. Bad news is it would take 8 travel days to drive from VA to So Cal, so the recruiter will most likely deny the HRAP. If my DH were to fly there, he would probably get approved. The ARMY will not pay for travel expenses, so he will fly, and the girls and I will drive back. So not looking forward to the drive back home. What once was a mini vaca, now might turn into a lonely, stressful, and tiresome time. With one driver, that would mean taking at least TWICE as long, looking at almost 4 days in drive time. While my hubby is back home with great friends and wonderful family! Something just seems totally not fair about that.

So Josh thought that maybe I could head back home 4-5 days before he would fly home. That means I would miss his Graduation from AIT. I would not get to pin his wings on him, BOO! Plus I would still be away from my man that long PLUS missing his Graduation. I just can not do that. Not because I don't think Josh can handle it. He is a big boy and understands the situation. I merely am being selfish! I want my girls to see what this time of uprooting and stress has all been for. I want to stand proudly next to my husband! I want that personal experience!!!!

So option #1 is having someone fly out to Virginia, and then drive back with me. It would take less than 2 days. It was amazing with my mom. And I would really like to do that trip with my sister Sarah, my sis-in-law Dina, or my "Ruth" Saskia. These 3 women do not have kids. So it is ideal. Plus I love them all dearly! I just hope one of these ladies will do us a HUGE favor!

Option #2 is flying out with Josh, which would be fun. Using a rental car there. Pack up our stuff into a U-Haul and DITY move our own stuff. Drive to wherever we are getting stationed at. Have our car shipped if too far, or just drive to it and then bring the car to our first PCS location. IF the orders are to overseas, then we could leave the car here, fly to Cali, drive u-haul back to VA, then transport our stuff and car through this port.

So obviously, by logic, Josh's plan would work out easiest. Then option 1, followed by option 2.

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Not only do I have to contemplate the immediate plans, but I need to start our PCS process. Covering all bases in case they send us overseas: Passports for all 4 of us, medical history, medical screenings for our girls, check-ups, vaccinations up to date, enrolling in TriCare (hopefully tomorrow), then I need to get several disease tests, the only one I remember is the HIV/AIDS test.

Josh needs to up his life insurance to the maximum and make me his POA.

So as you can probably tell, I am slowly getting stressed out. The only cure is making a list by priority and checking things off one by one.

My goal is to get the majority of this stuff done before we get Josh's orders. Then I will need to begin to find out whether to live on base or off base, which school to enroll Makayla into for preschool, security deposits, mail address changes, etc...

Hopefully tomorrow evening, I will log back on and let u know that the girls and I are finally enrolled in TriCare and we got all necessary forms for the passport. The passport can take up to 6-8 weeks to get mailed out, hopefully it will get done ASAP.

Now, gotta get the girls a snack, and then all dolled up to bring dinner to my DH and his battles. :-)

Jamie

A great day out!

This is a little past due, but I definitely want to document this and share with a few of you guys. Last week I had made plans with a fellow Army Wife. We both brought our kids and went to Newport News Park. We had a great time. Saw the usual turtles, birds, fish, ducks and squirrels. But we also saw a large group of deer, EIGHT! I have never seen that many deer in one vicinity. Candice got very close while I hung back with our noisy, restless and excited kids. We also saw a Buck with about 6 female deer later on. The hawk was gorgeous, just perched on a low electric pole.

We also brought the kids to the play ground and let them chase each other around. After that, we drove to Taco Bell, then brought some food to both of our husbands. It was just a BEAUTIFUL day. Nice breezes, with very low, almost non-existent humidity!

Had a great taste of life with close friends and I love it! Hopefully many more to follow.

Jamie

P.S.

I can not forget about the mother deer and her two faun crossing the road right in front of us as we were leaving the park. Wish I had my camera charger. :)

Happy Fourth of July America!!!!

Having tons of fun at Down Town Newport News, VA. There was beautiful weather, great music, tasty food, great ocean view and AMAZING Fireworks! I got all choked up when they played our National Anthem. Daddy stood so tall saluting the flag. Summer was looking up at him and trying to salute as well. Got me all teary eyed! :)

Very crowded, but surprisingly only a few rude or inconsiderate people. We heard two different girls say out loud that this was the most white people she has ever seen. I kind of got offended at first, but then I realized I was thinking the same thing, but only reversed. We were all here together celebrating our countries 234th birthday. Our differences make us a stronger nation. Free kiddie rides and free balloon sculpting it was GREAT fun for the girls.

I know this is kind of a gay picture, but the fireworks display was so amazing! Very long, as well. That finale was breathtaking! They almost looked like colorful sprinkles in the night sky. A little hard to explain, just a feeling that brought me back to my memorable childhood.

The girls fell in love with the fireworks. Especially Summer. Her eyes were so big and she'd randomly stand up and clap! Great times.

Happy Fourth of July America!!!!

Washington DC

We took a trip to our nation's capitol, Washington DC. It was gorgeous weather. Bright, breezy, and completely tolerable. The only thing we could not stand was the walking! Our goal was to rent two bikes and a kid-trailer. So we could ride around the city and not have to carry or push our girls in the stroller. No such luck! BOO! But the architecture was amazing!

As you can see, Daddy got pretty tired. His girls all wanted him. Even me. :) We are so thankful for the opportunity to be so close to Josh. If we would have stayed in California or Arizona, we wouldn't have had a chance to see him at all these four months! We had a great time on the 3.5 hour drive up there. Josh and I talked a lot about things we wanna do and places we wanna see. Josh brought up the idea of going to Build-A-Bear and each making an animal that resembles each of us. Then wherever we go that is picture worthy, we will place our animals there and take pictures! So when Josh eventually gets deployed he will have to take his bear and take pics! I love this idea!!! Hopefully we will end up with a photo album full of pics just like those!

I had the bright idea, which I stole from Army Wives, every where we go, I want to collect a vial of sand or dirt. We will label them. Then when Josh retires, we will have quite a collection! Josh thinks it is a little weird, but he will do what I ask, because he loves me and wants to make the separations we will eventually encounter a little easier! I love that man of mine!!!!!

Before we go back to Cali for Home Recruiter Assistance Leave, I would like to go back to DC. I will be contacting one of California's senators and get on the list for a tour of the White House. If all goes well, we will rent those bikes and get a chance to see and do a few more things! I would like to get there while it is still dark, so we can watch the sun rise over the Lincoln Memorial! Definitely going to have to check out the Smithsonian Museums. I would also REALLY like to check out the Holocaust Museum. I know our girls are still very young, but I want them to know what hate and being afraid of differences can lead to. Plus, what Daddy fights against in the rest of the world.

In short, we had an awesome time! Quality time together as a family! Doesn't get much better than that!
Jamie Mitchell

P.S.

Still no orders as of July 5th at 1100 hours. I am enjoying this time of not knowing. As soon as we get the location, I need to begin finding a temporary house til Base housing is available. Have I said that I love the US ARMY yet? I do. I love what it stands for. I love the ultimate good it strives for. I just need to deal with the negatives that will soon pop up. I am strong in Christ. I think I can handle it! :)

A NOVEL BY ITSELF

So... First I did not even remember the last time I wrote a blog. Turns out it was fifteen days ago, well in an hour or so it will be in 16 days. I am just so not sure why I just stopped writing. I mean this is supposed to be an outlet for me. A way to connect with people I otherwise would never had met! Just because I am focusing a little harder on my walk with The Lord does not mean I need to shut down and limit my access to the outside world. Well, kinda... How outside is the Internet? Seems we are all connected in one way or another. We are all sitting at the computer or laptop in the comfort of our own home, "peeking out the blinds at the neighbor (that'd be me) trying to decipher ever look or word I say" . The only plus sides are:, is it is at a safe distance.
And (my fav) I get final authority:
I get the extreme pleasure of spell check... I hate when I misspell words.
I have supreme veto power... so take that Obama lol.
I can decide who has access to my lil' ol' blog... not that I have the fear that this will someday become a must-read for thousands of people.
***WOW*** Just realized how selfish I was becoming. Check out all those "I's". Looks like my ego ran away with my fingers again. Oh well, what can one truly do about that? Acknowledge and press on. So that is what I will now do. I will go back to my original intention of this particular post and share whatever is on my spirit, heart and mind. Not necessarily in that order... :)
I used to walk down these dirt paths as a kid. I loved being outside and just enjoying the gift that God gave us. How can something so simple make us feel so close with God... It just boggles my mind sometimes. Anyway, back to my story. I could feel Jesus' hand holding mine. I knew wherever I went, God would protect me. I just had such Faith. It seemed so easy. Why would someone let themselves fall away from such peace? I was naive and a little harsh on those adults in my life. I began seeing everything as black and white... You truly loved the Lord, surrendered your heart and life to him, and stayed close to him FOREVER. And, if you should ever backslide or just give up all together, you probably never truly loved God enough to sacrifice EVERYTHING, and therefore, it was all an act. No I never shared these thoughts with anybody or criticized them (out loud anyway), but nonetheless, this is what I used to hold true to. If it was good enough for me, than it was good enough for EVERYONE to do.
My naive self had such little life experience. I did not fully understand the traumas life can sometimes bring you and how hard it is to recognize a problem by yourself, let alone step back onto the right path. Soon... Oddly enough, in my so-called "peak years" as a Christian, I began witnessing my mentors falling away, in one form or another. I told myself, I chose a weak person for a mentor and would chose an even spiritually stronger person the next round. After they all started dropping like flies, my OWN faith began being washed away by a slow steady rain fall. Not enough rain to make you become more cautious. Definitely not enough rain to seek help in fortifying the very ground I walked upon (spiritually speaking). I just focused on other aspects of my walk. I kept thinking, maybe if I prayed more, or maybe if I read my Bible more, or if I would have taking more notes in church. Never at the same time, by the way. Just focus on one at a time, if that didn't stop the rain (emotionally, mentally, spiritually) move onto the next. I was so unaware of the WHOLE process and how vital it was. I was using a scalpel, when all I really needed to use was a hatchet (Sorry had to do it :P ).
After I gave up stopping the rain, it took me a long time to scrutinize the potential damage being done by the rain. After a few years my little tiny stream, became a slow, steady river. Meandering down the lowest, quickest, and easiest route to the ocean. I did not foresee any crucial changes, so I persevered (or so I thought). I continued down the SAME path as before. Just getting my feet wet a little bit more. After a few years and a few huge storms: watching my sister rebel against our family, her getting in an accident from a drunk driver, finding out she was prego while she was her coma, having my dad unexpectedly die in the middle of the night (by far the biggest), I looked down and noticed I was knee-deep in what was now a mini canyon filled with water. I could have jumped out and changed direction to higher ground, once again, but I was in shock. I finally realized where this path was leading me, to deeper water. And my faith in man was at an all time low. I was afraid to ask for help and open up. I finally sought out the wisdom from my long time pastor. He gave me the tools and the boost up to get out of that canyon. I began down a parallel path, just this time, out of the water and uphill.
This is the time in my life when I would occasionally look down in awe of how far I had come. The path below me was now a wide and deep canyon. The walls were so high. Thinking about me continuing down that path I was on and looking down to where I would've been now gave me the shivers! It scared me to no end!
I got married to my wonderful husband and best friend. We had two gorgeous girls seventeen months apart. We had our own place, life was good!
Then hurricane season came and hit the Inland Empire of Southern California. My husband changed jobs for a better opportunity and that employer ended up losing everything. Promising to have more money next week. Having to hash it out with the bank trying to get rid of those overdraft fees the first couple times the check bounced. Having to rush right over to the bank and cash it before everyone else tried to cash theirs. Not being bale to find work in the construction industry. The fear of losing this modest life we lived. Having to make the crucial decision of paying rent or the truck payment (without the truck payment, no car, no work, no money, no food). Having to finally move in with the in-laws and let our truck get repossessed. Struggling for intimacy with four people (hubby, myself and our 2 girls) sleeping in a medium sized bedroom. Having to have mommy and daddy work opposite shifts (There goes that needed connection). Having to work Sundays (there goes that MUCH needed connection and fellowship).
Upon further inspection I realized I had veered down the hill I tried so desperately to climb to and fell right back into that same damn canyon. This time it looked like the Grand Canyon. Not that I have ever seen the Grand Canyon (yet anyway). I resigned myself to this new way of life and almost gave up completely. It was hopeless..... I was hopeless......

Then a bright spot opened up. Our Church had started a new couples Bible study "Love & Respect". It saved our marriage. It gave us a kid free time of adult interaction. It let us connect and support each other in ways I never thought possible. We began preparing our relationship for the hardships we knew and the hardships we did not know were ahead of us: AKA Basic Combat Training. We focused on The Word of God and Jesus' say on marriage and conflict.
Once again I was walking up that hill, but this time, I took an umbrella, my husband and a guide, my Savior. So when the rains flow, I will not lose my vision and I will follow my God. I am more determined now than ever!
I am here on Solid Ground! I am staking my claim on my spiritual happiness. I need You Jesus. Fill me completely. Allow me to feel worthy. I need to focus on your word and stand tall, head high, focused on where you are leading me.


"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" -Philippians 4:13


My walk with my Savior had become a slow scary path. Almost like a low spot that collects water when it rains. With each shower, a little bit more of my dirt was washed away. So slowly that in fact I did not even notice. By the time I had the first observation that the rain was ever so slowly eroding away the path I walked upon, it was so small I did not even bother with patching it up. It would have definitely been an easy fix. A little extra dirt, a few rocks and it would have all just stopped right there.
Instead, I let each rainfall come and go, come and go... without a worry in my mind. Prepare yourself for the coming storms. They are coming and will wait until you are not looking.
Thanks for reading my novel... (Sorry so long)
STANDING ARMY-WIFE STRONG,
Jamie Lynn Mitchell