We're back!!!!

Yahoo for 2013....Ryan Stuart is here and we are enjoying life as a family of 4.  I had so much for a few days ago re-reading all of the posts from when Alex was born then felt guilty that I have not done this for Ryan so here we go.  My goal is to post at least once a week but realistically it will be when something fun happens or when Ryan or Alex has a doctors appt or reaches a new milestone. 

Kids say the darnest things.....

At Cassie's house the other night and Big Al was watching sandlot and we were hanging around the table 15 feet away laughing and talking....

Alex yells across the room...."MOM, I'm trying to hear this, Just drink your wine"

He told me!

A month earlier with Cassie at the Grape Stomp

Emotional Rollercoaster

Such is the life of a military spouse but I am going to stay positive through our 3rd deployment because well I deserve it!  Its been a rough, amazing, sad, ecstatic, lonely and breathtaking 4 years and I am glad that this emotional roller coaster will be coming to an end in May.  Just wanted to take a trip down memory lane....enjoy!

The morning Patrick left for Iraq, November 2, 2008

Homecoming from Iraq, May 26, 2009

Leaving for Afghanistan, April 27, 2010

Homecoming from Afghanistan, November 21, 2010

Leaving for Afghanistan, November 4, 2011

We miss you daddy and can't wait to complete this set of pictures with our best Homecoming yet!

Starting again....

My last post was almost a year ago when Dealer 54 was shot down in Afghanistan.  Its been quite an interesting year, as that event effected Patrick and I more than we thought it would and still does.

Even though I hate when "non military" people say it.....

Freedom is not Free

I am going to start back up on this blog because I want Alex to look back and see the silly stuff he used to do and say when he was little.  I got a journal and wrote it in one time (that was a month ago), I am more of a computer girl.  So here we go.

Well not really we are heading to HAWAII for the 4th of July to celebrate this wonderful country, being an American and of course those who have fought, continue to fight and and the hero's that gave their lives defending our flag.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all.

Freedom isn't free

Family and Friends of HMLA-369, you are receiving this message to tell you that your Marine is okay. The Gunfighter family has suffered the loss of two AH-1W pilots during combat operations in Afghanistan on Thursday, July 22. We ask for your prayers and support to the families of these outstanding Marines. Official notification of the next of kin has been completed. 

Please pray for the families of our Fallen Gunfighters.  

Always be happy....Never be satisfied

Always be happy....Never be satisfied

My favorite boss/mentor once told me this and I strongly believe in it.   However it sometimes leaves me with a taste with what the F am I doing with my life and always looking for something bigger and better....

I loved being a stay at home mom don't get me wrong but I started to feel like my brain was going to mush and after struggling to find the perfect job and daycare I figured that now that I had found it, it would stifle the urge look for more.  Not so much,  my brain just came flying back and the search continues....more responsibilities....more what?  Who knows?

Late 2009 I had an early pre-deployment breakdown and realized that I am taking this mantra far to literally and I decided I needed to work on my Mind, Body, and Soul (MBS).  What a perfect opportunity to work on me but deployment #2. 

Step 1 MIND

Sooooo I decided to finally take my PHR (Professional in Human Resources) exam.  For anyone not in Human Resources its our equivalent of testing out of your masters or similar.  1. No I won't be getting a raise I work for a nonprofit.  2.  I have been out of school for 6 years but I figured 6 months of studying would be plenty to take this test.....man oh man it was rough and I was 99% sure I failed as I clicked that evil END button on the computer based exam but, I PASSED!!!!  And I didn't go crazy with all my bright Mom ideas from my last post.  

Step 2 BODY

I gained 43 pounds when I was pregnant with Alex and lets just say I wasn't "happy" with my body before hand so you can imagine how thrilled I was when the weight that I knew would be gone in 2 months was still hanging around after 4 or 5 months.  So my girlfriends and I started going to a Mom's boot camp that kicked our butts 3 days a week and running... slowly but surely the weight was coming off. After joining the YMCA and going 5 days a week for a few months, I was one HOT MILF...not gonna lie.  I haven't been that happy with my body in a LONG time.  

So what's was the problem?  My hubby came home from Iraq :)  Don't get me wrong I am still a MILF but a little softer all over and I miss my hot bod!  No really he is a bad influence on me.  The man only eats meat and potatoes or fried anything, if I can even get home to cook it.  If not, out we go to Fudruckers or Outback (YUMMY, I am a sucker for food).    Bad news for my gym time because that's when my favorite classes were.  I tried to get motivated to go during the day but there are no good classes in the middle of the day.  If that wasn't bad enough I got a job...don't get me wrong I love my job but NO time to work out now.  When I get home I skip the gym, something about missing Patrick terribly for 7 months.   Yes I do have a beautiful gym at work that is literally 5 inches away from my desk (through the wall, just being dramatic) but I can't work out before work or during lunch.  Why not join the YMCA again and go after work?  Because my poor Peterdog is home all day long and I can't do that to him.  

Since I have plenty of time at night now I promised myself I would get back into shape.  I have the worlds largest collection of work out DVD's: Slim in Six, Thirty day shred, turbo jam, Zumba fitness series etc. etc.   I want a treadmill but ol' Prich gave that the ax, "Jamie you will use it 5 times and then hang cloths on it." Grrrrr.  So, I will be filling my evenings watching trashy TV and doing work out DVD's praying that it will work.  

I really don't have weight to lose (only 3-5 that HAVE to go) mostly just tightening and toning but I have been toying with the idea of getting nutrisystem for a few months to see if that will jump start and help my work out effort?  We shall see....

Step 3 SOUL (This is the tricky one)

I left soul for last on my journey to a better me because I feel like with out the other two I won't be able to fully commit to my MBS mission.  I have the most wonderful life and should not have anything to complain about but hey, Always be happy...never be satisfied right?  There is nothing easy about being a military wife, but I hate using that as an excuse to allow myself to be depressed or sad or unhappy in anyway.  P and I have the most wonderful families to support us.  I have the best friends here in Cali that keep me super busy when I am not at work.  I am more independent than I ever thought I could be.  I am one hell of a mom and my kid is cuter, smarter and sweeter than I deserve.   BUT, it is hard not to think how much easier life would be if P wasn't in the military, if we lived down the street from our families etc.  So Step 3, is to stop looking at other peoples lives with envy and be thankful for this AMAZING life that I don't deserve. Remind myself that Patrick may not be perfect but he is more than perfect for me.  Be honestly and truly happy for people who deserve it, even if I am jealous. Stop judging people  and just live my own life.  BE HAPPY. period.

LIVE every moment...LAUGH every 

day....LOVE beyond words

I'm Back!!!

Its been a while but the first 6 months of 2010 tried to kill me so I have a good excuse right? The not so short version of the craziness is....

Lots of pre-deployment sadness and trips/visitors...you know how time flies when you don't want it to so April 27th came way to fast.

Yes I had my study materials since late January and should have used Patrick to help me while I read my books but I didn't so I had to fit in 6 months of studying into 2 months (see next post).  While including the below items to the craziness.

Patrick is a wonderful father/ husband but lets face it the man is a PUSH OVER....Alex whines for 10 seconds he is allowed out of his bed or gets his chocolate milk etc. etc.   Soooo I knew that I could not do any big boy transitions until he was gone because lets face it (sorry babe) it would have taken 3 times as long.  Why is this a big deal you are wondering?  Well any normal person would have looked at the stress in her life and said they can wait until after your test but not me, no I like to torture myself.

What did I do the day after Patrick left?  Changed Alex's bed into a big boy bed....WHAT?  Hello dummy, Alex is the worst at going to bed even in his crib and hardly ever sleeps through the night in his room.  Well no turning back, lots of bribes and toys later we have somewhat mastered the new bed time routine, he now goes to bed without a huge fight most nights.  And to my surprise he sleeps all night!

I knew Mabel was ready to start potty training with Alex and decided that Memorial day weekend would be a great opportunity to start boooo my first three day weekend and be stuck inside?  I think not. There are more details in an earlier post but it sucked too (no studying at all for a full week)....

Now that I passed my test, big boy is sleeping good and using the potty 100% of the time I have lots of time on my hands...what to do, what to do....its been 2 weeks since my test but I still haven't relaxed.  Just waiting on the Cali sunshine to come and some beach days...that should do it!