So much!

I think I have a couple things to blog about this time around!

I'll start off with Christmas.

I was rather pleased to see that ABC aired Charlie Browns Christmas. I think it gives us a reminder that christmas is mainly about Christ. Easy to forget with all the commercialism. And, I was very happy that they did air it, frankly, I'm sick of the "Merry Christmas Bans" because it's not politically correct. I watched a Jeff Dunham Christmas special on Comedy Central, and his puppet character Walter, was talking about that very thing. He literally said "ya know, I've been wanting to say this for a couple years now, screw you, It's Merry Christmas!". Thank you! Someone else said it besides me! Needless to say, the crowd cheered wildly. If you get offended by that, wow. You're going to have it hard on all holidays. I think people should be able to say what they want to wish someone a good holiday. That's all they're saying, is have fun. Just with fancy words.
Anyway, Merry Christmas!!

For Christmas this year, we're making the trek to Boise, ID. Jeff's home area. Well, he's from a tiny town called Jerome. Where it's full of stinker stations (which oddly enough, DO stink) and hills and cattle. Yup, small town america. He's so excited. I'm dreading the drive. It's supposed be be snowing pretty much across the WHOLE state of Washington come this Saturday, when we're due to leave.

However, He's almost giddy to see his family. He and I drove there for Thanksgiving last year. Only to have Jeff be a total mute on the 8-9 hour drive there because he got mono, his throat was in so much pain, he couldn't talk. (Didn't get it from me!) Needless to say, I DJ'd with the ipod the whole time. Little conversing took place that trip. So, it'll be fun to have little Landon and big little Leena with us this time. Not many have seen Landon from his dad's side, so Jeff is uber pumped to show him off.

I will say this, that drive is the most BORING drive! Anyone who's driven through Oregon, Idaho and Washington, knows what I'm talking about. Once you get on I-90, take 3 sleeping pills til you arrive cause there is nothing to see. All I can say is, I'm glad we spent the money for a DVD system for the car. I may have to watch PS. I love you when the kids are asleep.


House Hunting!
Our sweet agent, Natalya, has spent alot of time trying to find us a good home. We finally found one! We went to her office 2 days ago to do the offer, as she pulled up the listing...it then said "Subject to inspection". NOOOO! Someone beat us to it! I was totally bummed. It was a nice home in the small city of Spanaway. But, I guess that's an indication that it possibly may not have worked out. So, we're out looking again. You'd be surprised how many homes are in foreclosure. Seems like the half of what we've seen, were significantly priced lower, because of that. Which, we did see some OK ones, but I will be honest, fixing someones anger issue cause they lost their home, doesn't sound appealing. (some had punched holes in walls, doors, tried to 'injure' the house per se as they moved out) I originally didn't even want a foreclosed home, it just sounded like bad news to me. But, now that our time limit is coming up very fast on when to buy one, I don't have a choice but to include them now. Downfall is, if we make an offer on a bank owned property, it can take up to 2 months to get a response. We don't have that kind of time. We'll see! We're scouring the internet and looking everywhere. Ugh!

Lastly, I dont' know how many people have seen this, but WOW!

So long Stennis...

It's official! We have less than a month and a half, then Jeff is OFF the Stennis! (aka USS John C. Stennis) They leave for another 7-8 month long deployment mid January. Which, Jeff had said if he was single still, he wouldn't mind going on. I think they're touring asia this time around. He toured the persian gulf last deployment. Which was Jan 2007-Aug of the same year.

I'm not looking forward to the 5 weeks of him being gone in Pensacola, but it's better than a deployment! For all of you "civilian wives", be happy youre husband doesn't have the crazy schedule Jeff does. Don't take that for granted! Jeff is working a 24 hour shift, every other day. So, pretty much the morning he gets off work, he goes back at 6am the next day. Seriously, be happy your husband or partner is around!

The good thing is, Jeff will be working 9-5, come April when he's actually in the recruting office in Tacoma. Yay! A normal work schedule!

Which, means...we get to move..YAY! Yeah, totally kidding. I hate moving! I've moved like 4 times in less than 4 years! I'm praying this is the last time we have to move for at least a couple of years!

We've been house hunting the past week or 2. We actually went ahead and did all of the mortgage things first, and got pre-approved and all that, so we'd be considered serious buyers, because we are. And, with how the eceonomy is lately, that's a good idea, to show that you're stable and not going to go into foreclosure and all of that.

Props to our realtor, she's been very patient and has a good grasp on what we're looking for. I will say this, out of the 10 hours we've probably spent with her, and looking at houses and commuting places, I've seen ONE house that I like. Some were OK, and that's not bad. I"m just insanely picky, and if one thing is too small, it's instantly voided out. Maybe Jeff will cave and get the one that I did really love :)

We pretty much have 45 days to get a house, and have it close...NO stress at all! That way we can move out of here, stop paying for the place we're in, and get into the house before Jeff leaves around the 21st of next month. Blah! Oh well, stressful, but I'm hoping it'll be worth while!

6 weeks

It's been 6 weeks I had Landon, come Wednesday. I still get the "You just had a baby, you look great!" Whew, all that hard work of not working out, paid off! Hehe. I will work out, just after the doctor clears me to.

Overall, I think the recovery is definately alot longer, but I feel good! Finally! If anyone has had a c-section, you'll have the numbness. I still can't feel much on my abdomen, but I'm hoping it'll go away by the time he's one.

Landon is cute as can be. We just love him to bits! He's fitting some of his 0-3 clothes, and that makes me sad. He's already my little growing boy. Oh well, they do that! He's trying SOOO hard to talk, he's so close to smiling. He's flashed me a little one or two, but nothing long enough to get a camera and take a picture of.

I LOVE having Jeff home. He's good about getting up in the night with Landon. I will say this though, he has to get up early to go to work, and if I don't get enough sleep, I don't function properly and it's hard for me to do anything. So, we've run into the "no, you get up with him this time" a couple times. But, either way, Landon was well taken care of by a very groggy parent. He's finally on a schedule now.

Anyone answer me this. I just think this is weird. Anytime we give him his bottle at night time, at my parents house, and put him to sleep in his carseat, he sleeps for 5 hours, un-interrupted. (We put some rice cereal in his bottle because he was waking up once an hour) Yet, we do the SAME thing here at home, just put him in his crib instead, and he gets up every 2-3 hours. Is that weird? Or is he just a fan of sleeping in his car seat? I'm still lost as to why the big difference in sleep. I want him to sleep 5 hours at once at home!

Anyway, here are some random pictures from Fam Day with my family, and some of Jeff and the kids.



Jeff and Leena at my parents


Jeff giving Landon a bath, he didn't cry!



Jeff and Landon looking at the lights. Landon LOVES looking at them! It's so cute!


Landon admiring all the pretty colors form his bouncy.


Thanksgiving at my parents. A typical scene at their house. My mom, Jeff, Hillary and Isabelle. Isabelle lost her husband to liver cancer 2-3 years ago, on christmas day. She's been my moms buddy and visiting teacher for years now.


Leena and Papa Charles cuddled up


Me and Leena Beena!


We had a little mini christmas tree left over from my divorce with Leenas dad. (he hated Christmas, that was the biggest tree I was allowed to have, SAD!) so we put lights on it, and stuck it in Landons room. And funny enough, I was on the phone with my sister, Hillary.

What are kids REALLY learning in school?!

Leena is 7, going on 15.

I'm still deciding if this is good or bad.

I spent about 3 days at my parents house last week when she was out of scool for inservice and veternas day.

Anyway, she was in entertaining her little brother on the lovesac, while I stood face next to the mirror, putting on my make-up for the day. I hear my dad start to play with her because her brother had fallen asleep.

I'd just finished up my facial artwork, and walked into where my dad was playing with my daughter. Then I hear this "YOU CREEPY OLD MAN! NO PAPA! NOOOOO!" I was so shocked!! She just called her own grandfather a creepy old man!! That was not about to fly if I have it my way. I called her in to where I was and said "what did you just call your papa?!?" she kinda giggled and replied with "I called him a creepy old man". Somehow, my dad didn't seem too horribly offended by her 7 year old statement. My dad is far from a creepy old man! So, I nicely told her, not to call papa things like that. (Papa is the alternative for grandpa with the kids in my fam. None of them could say grandpa as toddlers, so Papa stuck instead) Then I explained to her that a creepy old man is anything but her grandfather. A creepy old man is someone who looks scary, and does bad things to people, like touch little kids where they're not supposed to be touched, or kills people. She got a serious look on her face. I think she realized, what I had just described, was anything but her beloved Papa. She knows he's not only far from that, but would'nt do anything to ever hurt anyone, or her.

My dad piped in somewhat quietly, "She's picked up alot of things from school this year". I couldn't help but think, do first graders go around calling each other creepy old men?! Then I realized, she does share the playground with all the big kids now, I bet that's where she got it from. Or a child in her class that has an older sibling. Something she doesn't have.

She's said a couple other things that I've wanted to cover my mouth with shock and dismay, but for some reason, I'm totally drawing a blank on what they were.

I guess it goes to show that there is more of a stronger influence at such an early age than we realize. Granted what she said wasn't as bad as some of the things I heard from Anita Brown in my 2nd grade class. (She'd going around calling every a Mother F'ing B****. At 8 years old!)

It could be worse, but it just goes to show, we have to somehwat worry early on. One thing as parents, we shouldn't have to do. But not all parents are like me, and have a strict policy of things Leena is allowed to say, and not to say.

I just hope she doesn't get worse!

To Jeff, Love, Me

This is Jeff little bit over a year ago, he was on deployment, before I'd met him ;)"Pre-Heidi".

Anyway, I get alot of thinking time when he's gone. Probably too much. And, with that, comes grattitude and feeling appreciative of a person. I guess you can attribute it to the absence makes the heart grow fonder scenario. It seems like I'm more grateful now, alot of it due to Landon.

So, Jeffy.. Thank you for..

-Being such a wonderful father to both my kids. I know you miss them, but soon you'll be home!
-Being a beyond amazing husband.
-Putting up with all of my whining the 8 months I was pregnant with Landon.
-Making sure that I am taken care of, as well as the kids.
-Having faith.
-Treating me very well, and with respect.
-Loving my family.
-Having a good relationshp with Leena.
-All those late nights with Landon. There are more to come, his life has just started!
-All those many drives out to Issaquah.
-The many bear hugs and "real" kisses.
-For always telling me you love me.
-Taking care of the things, that I don't want to deal with.
-For watching Ghost Hunters with me.
-For doing the lawn, I couldn't do it!
-Singing along to Jack's Mannequin with me in the car.
-All my peppermint hot chocolate drinks :)
-All our dinner dates.
-The phone calls home.
-Finding random DFS with me
-Being a good father figure to Leena.
-Being pushy, sometimes I need it.
-Being a friend, and human tissue if needs be.
-The many shows we have been to.
-My life partner.
-For putting up with me and my snappyness, when it does occur.

This list could go on forever, and take hours. I've always thought we've made a hell of team, and with time, I'm learning I was right when I thought that. Some may say we went too fast, but I think it was all perfect. You're my partner in crime. The one person who has a big enough heart, for me, my kids and everything important to me, and us. The one person who'd get teary with me as I cried because you were leaving me for a long period of time. Which, as sad as that moment is, it's also somehow sweet.

If I look back to not meeting you, how I'd be so different, and possibly unhappy. You're a wonderful person, inside and out. I'll always still be madly in love with you, because you are who you are. You always greet me with a smile, a hug and a kiss. Which is the best thing for me. I'll always love you, and only want wha'ts best for you. I love you Jeff!

Oh, the joys!

I can't believe Landon is 3 weeks, holy cow! It's so funny because I can't lift anything over his weight. So I have to carry him everywhere. Which, is sort of annoying because EVERYONE stops me asking me how old he is etc.

I think it's funny, some women really don't care about boundaries with strangers! I usully get asked "how long was your labor". And I have to smile and say "I had a C-section with him.." and their mouths drop and they reply with "WHAT!? You're walking already?!" Why yes. As far as recovery goes, it still sucks trying to get up off the couch etc. But I remember when I was in the hospital, I was so much worse. So, that's a big step forward.

Overall, Leena is crazy about Landon. (YAY!)

I spent the past couple of days at my parents, because Jeff is gone for about another week and a half. But, this is Jeff's last underway, yay!! Anyway, it was nice to spend a couple of days with my family and kids.

Leena had a playdate with her friend Emma today. She's a really sweet girl and she an Leena have alot of fun together. I'm grateful Emma has an older sister because Leena definately has oldest childsyndrome, very bossy. We will be working on that.

Overall, Sun-Tuesday was good! Here are some pictures. I think I actually got almost all of my family members (which is pretty much my parents and Hillary now) pictures.

So, here they are!


Hillary is moving to China again! She's going to Shanghai for 8 months in February.



Emma was my little helper!



My babies =)



Just missing Jeff!



My new favorite picture.

We've been stationed....

Jeff FINALLY got his orders! He got thm the day after Landon was born. So, needless to say, that was most definately an eventful week!

With that said, we know where we will be stationed. We've been anxious to know for MONTHS. I can't emphasize it enough! We requested to stay in the Seattle area, that way it wouldn't turn ino a custody thing with Leena Rae's dad. Who lives outside of Seattle.

Then, we found out that the "Seattle area" covers, Washington, Northern Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Alaska. After Jeff turned in his paperwork, I couldn't help but think "What have we done?! I'm going to be ticked if we get stationed in Alaska!" No seriously, that's one state I REFUSE to live in. More power to Palin for living there, but I couldn't do it. At that point, months went by, and they originally told us first part of September we'd know. Not true. The recruiter kept giving Jeff certain days to call back. Jeff would call back, be either put on hold, or told to call later. Well, due to Jeffs persistance, the recruiter guy FINALLY said, ok. Call on October 23rd, we've been re-arranging people, so we'll know then.

So, now we're moving to...




Tacoma!!!

It's about 40-50 minutes North of where we live now. We're just happy we're a little closer to my family now! It'll be a 45 minute drive or so, and no ferry rides! That's alot better than the 2 hours it is now. We feel blessed because we had started to get worried, because the guy never told us where we were going to be headed. And when they do that, it doesn't sound good. So, we're looking into the Tacoma housing market, and some cities further out. We'll be out of Bremerton come January. The moving process isn't ever fun, but it'll be nice to get out of boring Brownsville and off with our little family in a new area, that neither of us have lived in! Yay for clean slates!