My Life as it comes

Hi, I'm Nicole. Wife. Mom. Student.

[mylifeasitcomes]

9 not 16.

My daughter is 9. She plays outside, colors, wears random clothes that don’t match, plays with her toys, sings, dances around the house, is super creative, great at art, loves her family, fights with her brothers, likes pink and purple and is in love with glitter. She is an all-around normal, great kid.. who looks and acts 9. But....when she goes to school, she is expected by her peers to be 16. To have the best clothes, act grown, have expensive things, like boys, etc. And because is none of those things, she is picked on and feels like an old cast..... What happened to being nice, showing respect to others and treating people the way you want to be treated?? Why do kids these days look so much older, umm everyone should go through the random weird stage. Why do kids think they are equal to adults?    The only reason for all of this change is..... THE PARENTS!!  yes, I just said that. Parents are befriending their children instead of teaching them right from wrong. Parents are allowing their children to get away with bullying. Parents are allowing their children to speak to adults with disrespect. Parents act like their children can do no wrong. and Parents are allowing their young girls to look like grown women...umm hello THIS IS WHY SO MANY GIRLS ARE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF!!  and when something happens they are all “what happened, what did i do wrong??” but let me tell you something, I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE PARENTS!!  I am the adult, she is the child. She is 9, not 16! She will look and act 9, not 16! She knows right from wrong. She knows how to speak to an adult. She knows how to be kind. She knows how to treat others with respect. My daughter is talented! beautiful! smart! creative! and wonderful just the way she is! Yes, she gets in trouble. She is not perfect and that's ok. She is a child, she will make mistakes and she will have bad days. But she is also an amazing kid! I will not let these kids who have no guidance cloud her from being the wonderful person she is. I want her to stand up for herself, respect herself, trust herself, BE HERSELF! I can’ t change how other people parent their kids, but I can teach my kids to believe in themselves and do the right thing no matter what other people think, and be the wonderful kids that they are for as long as they can! 

[mylifeasitcomes]

Word of the year?

where to start.. life is going and going. We moved across the country from Connecticut to California. To say that trip was long is an understatement. 3000 miles in a car with 3 kids for 4 days...... yeah, let that one sink in. 

Once we got to California, Theo had to leave 3 days later to go back to the east coast for the navy. Now looking back i know God was testing me. At the time i had no idea what to do, where anything was, how my kids would react to daddy being gone, and just how hard it was going to be being married to an actively deployable sailor. We have done it before, but we had babies. Drew wasn't even born the last time Theo deployed. Then thankfully we were blessed with 5 years of Theo being home every night expect Duty days.  100% i was not as ready as i thought i was. I was the one telling everyone else that they would be ok, and that they could do it. When in the long run, i was greatly needing that as well. Then i saw a post by someone at my church. “ What is your word of the year?” she asked....i had to sit there and think about it. What word did i need the most? To understand more, work on, to do more, and live more. hmm. It took me a little while, then i got it.

Patience.

My life is all about Love and family. But you cant have those things if you don't have patience. I am a Mother of 3 kids and a Navy wife to a man that will leave for long periods of time leaving me here with the kids alone... How am i supposed to make it without loads of patience. How am i supposed to love my family in the best possible way without patience? 

‘Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud’ -1 Corinthians 13:4

‘Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another’ -Ephesians 4:2

“Have patience. All things are difficult before they become easy”. - Saadi

“Patience makes a woman beautiful in middle age” Elliot Paul

Life is not going to go how i want it too all the time. And if it does from time to time, then i am seriously being blessed. No one can control everything. I CANT. I have been on a roller coaster these last 2.5 years with Theo with his navy career. Not one time have i been in control of how your move was going to go or when, as soon as i would feel that i had a hand on what was going on, i would be flipped 180 degrees. Our move plan changed a million times. I did not have patience at all. Not one bit. I hated every single min of feeling like i was our world was never going the way it was supposed too.  Now i look back and say, WOW was i being tested. I failed big time. But slowly i am starting to see, that if i have patience and faith. That i can do anything. It may not happen right away or in the way i wanted. But sooner or later something will happen. Kids and Navy life are never easy. But i will keep working at it. 

Ok, so if you have read this far without leaving. I have to ask you. What is your word of the year? 

[mylifeasitcomes]

two

There's only two. Only two of us. Me and her. We are the only two. Of anyone in the world, she is the closest to exactly like me. We dont look alike at all. We dont share looks or height. Or styles or likes. But we still are the only two. On the inside we are the same. Half mom & half dad. Made from half of two people, to make the two of us. Same blood. Same genes. Same background. We are the only two who got those things. For a long time it was the two of us. We kept each other safe. We fought. We played. We grew. Together the two of us became who we are. Both very different but the same deep down. The only two.

No matter who comes in our lives. The closest person to exactly like me is you. I love you. I miss you. We are the link between two sides. Don't forget who you are. You are just like me. Same genes. Same blood. Same background. Cole & Sam. The only two.

[mylifeasitcomes]

Truth...

I have anxiety. Lots of it. I over think everything. I write lists, worry about everything, organize everything to the point of perfection and i alway think about how something should be, then i rethink and rethink it again. Repeat repeat repeat. I do the same freaking things everyday. I stress over the same stuff everyday. Basically Anxiety-OCD. Sometimes it gets so bad that i have panic attacks, which sound SOOO loud in my head. But there's absolutely no sound happening. <<< those suck!! ....then some days, i am fine. Nothing, no stress, no worries, just nothing. Man I wish it could be that way everyday.

This upcoming move to CA is the iceberg..and i am the Titanic. I can see it coming, but man I cant move fast enough to keep from hitting the breaking point. The kids don't help. I clean, they destroy. My house was spotless yesterday.... ww3 happened in one day up in this tiny appartment. It has exploded. And guess who gets to clean it up tomorrow

..yup you guessed it..me.

[mylifeasitcomes]

Hard

Today has been one of those days. Where every little thing sets me on off. No one can seem to listen and i just cant let anything go. I hate that feeling. I hate having my skin crawl and my teeth on edge. It's just been one thing after another all day long. Then I always have the reminder that everyone looks at me like I am this strong wall. "Nicole who knows so much and has so much experience." Which I really am greatful for that, but right now I am over here breaking. The stress from everything builds and builds non-stop. As much as it rides on Theo's shoulders it's right there on mine too. More and more everyday...I have this side of me that keeps telling myself suck it up and deal with it. That so many people have it so bad off that i need to stop whining. That is one of the main reasons why i write in this blog. To get it all out, so I can suck it up and deal with it. But man, today it's hard to listen to that side. I just want to whining. And cry. And just give in. Let the tears and pitty win. Give up and try again tomorrow. Idk.

[mylifeasitcomes]

Up and down. 360° Left. Up and down. Left. Right. Left. 90° Right. 180° Up. 360° Down.

That is my head. If the GIF is making you sick, then imagine how i feel. I cant think straight anymore. Things have changed so many times that i dont know whats up or down anymore. My head is screaming one thing, my emotions are screaming another. Commonsense is like 'ok, nicole dont be dumb' while my anxiety is freaking the fuck out.

This roller coaster is enough for about 10 people. And right now its all inside my head. Then there are those who are saying 'well, nicole maybe you should talk to someone' yeah, navy clinics are not the best places on earth to go complaining that your life never stops and keeps changing every year or so...they dont care. Its the navy. Prescription of: Suck it up buttercup. So, yeah. I complain here. Where i can type it all out, then try to move on. But end up coming back and typing again. My own personal therapy session.

I do have moments of peace. Where i stop thinking about it. Where i am just calm. I try to only show this side. Like i have it all under control and figured out. I do know a lot about this world. After 24 years of being around the military you figure out alot. You realize that almost everything will change at least once or twice. I am ok with that...now this nonstop revised plan that i am on is starting to piss me off. But i am trying to keep calm. And help my fellow sub wives with as much as i can. Someones got too. Cause trust me there are some who..well lets just say are ...ok i cant say. I dont have nice words for that....Now being a military wife does sometimes have moments that are completely humorous. Yup, i am that person who has been though so much that i just love watching stuff unfold, so long as it has nothing to do with me. I know i know, thats messed up.. but come on you know you secertly love it too. One of those grab the popcorn and watch the maddness unhold moments. Lol. I am pretty sure there are a few who just wait for me to mess up so they can grab the popcorn. I can think of at least two right now of the top of my head who would love to see me crack...well i hope yall are enjoying the show.

Right i am the chicken whos head is cut off. Not knowing what to do. Well, i know. But that doesnt mean i like it. Or that the decision was made then that was the end of it. Ohhh, no. The decision is made then immediately subdivisions of that decision began.

Decision

Plan for decision:

1. a.

b.

•

•

2.

3. •

•

4...

...

On and on.

It doesnt stop.

Lists. Planning. New plan. Redo, revise.

That is my head. Like a girl in target; All over the damn place. And i cant stop till its perfect. But its also certain that i will redo it again after that.

Ughhhh....

[mylifeasitcomes]

Our summer

Summer lasted for 3 whole months for us. The kids act like we havent done anything...lol..i beg to differ. Here is how our summer went.

JUNE:

June 3: Kids last of school in Kittery, Maine

•said goodbye to Theo who had to stay with the submarine and drove 15 hrs south to NC to Pop-pop's house (my dad)

While in NC June 4-17:

• Pop-pop took us to a Charlotte Knights Baseball game in downtown Charlotte

•the kids played at the local community centers indoor playplace

•We went swimming at Lake Norman State park w/pop-pop, aunt Karri, our cousin Amanda & her two kids Braylon and Weston. The kids had never seen red clay before, and covered themselves in it. Hello dyed skin.

•All of us got ate alive by mosquitoes, so we lived in bug spray.

•The heat was overwhelming, our new England bodies were in shock.

•The kids played and got completely socked in the creek behind Pop-pop's house.

•Bubba (my stepdad) flew in for a few days from Missouri.

•Bubba and I went to his grandmothers funeral in our hometown Salisbury, NC ..most of the family didn't realize who I was.

•The kids played at my friend Sadie's house while we went to the funeral. Her daughter and aubrie become instant friends.

•We went to Dinner at granny sandra's house. The kids had a blast playing with my cousins Ashley and Kelly. I enjoyed sitting and talked to my family.

•I bought Aubrie a whole closet full of clothes..none of them fit now.

•We went to the NC Zoo with Pop-pop, Aunt Karri, Amanda and her kids. Walked over 7 miles with 5 kids. It was Hot!

•The kids learned how to play softball with Lori. All three hit the ball without a tee.

•We spent a day at Dan Nicholas Park with my cousin Amanda; her kids Braylon & Weston. As well as my step-sister Jamie and her two kids Lily and Lucas. We mined for stones, played on the playground, rode on the train, got dizzy on the carousel, saw all the animals, drank large cheerwine slushies, and got wet at the splash pad.

•Spent some time at Great-grandpa Haviland's house. He still has a tube TV, and that amazed Jeremy.

•Ate NC style BBQ (kids 1st time) at Gary's in China Grove with my Aunt Karri, Grandpa, Uncle Glennie, cousin Amanda and her two kids.

•We painted a plate at a pottery store for Theo for father's day.

• We got Milkeshakes at Cookout (kids 1st time) with my step-sister Jamie and her two kids. Then went to her house to hang out and watch Boss Baby for the 1st time.

•Kids saw and didn't like their 1st NC thunderstorm.

June 18: drove 13 hrs North to CT

•finally saw Theo again who had rode the sub to CT... But of course he was on duty so we just visited him and went to a friend's house for the night.

June 19th: moves into our new apartment

THE REST OF JUNE:

•Besides our bed, and a few very heavy items, I carries every single thing into our apartment on the 2nd floor by myself over the course of a week.

•I helped my friend move into her 3rd floor apartment. She in return helped me move a few heavy items into my apartment and all of my remaining stuff from big storage unit to a smaller one.

JULY & AUGUST:

•We spent 4th of July with our friend Megan and Micheal at their house. Drew stepped on a sparkler Ash and ended up burning a hole in the bottom of his foot.

July 8th: the kids and I went and saw the Sailfest Fireworks at Fort Griswold with about a 50 thousand other people.

•Andrew turned 5 on July 17th

•We spent hours and hour at parks; poquonnock Plains Park, Groton housing Park, Country Glen Park, etc.

•dad and mom got a date night at Mohegan Sun thanks to our friends Megan and mike for watching the kids.

•We watched daddy leave and come home on the submarine a few times.

•Daddy bought mommy a new car

•We swim at North Lake and the pool many many time. They became our go to spots for some free fun.

•Jeremy taugh himself how to swim

•we made many random trip to Dairy Queen.

•We went to Providence to the Children's Museum with Ms. Megan. And ended the day playing at the playplace in Chick-fil-a.

•Daddy took us all to Waterford Speedway to watch a Race (kids 1st time)

•Daddy also took the kids to Cold Stone for an ice cream date.

•The kids went in a hot tub for the 1st time.

•Our friends (the LeBell's) from Maine came down to visit us for a weekend.

•with the LeBell's with went to Historical downtown Mystic. We ate pizza at Mystic Pizza and had ice cream at Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream shop.

•We also went to the Submarine Force Library and Museum with the LeBell's. We all got to tour the USS Natailus.

•we grew flowers and veggies in our patio. Our tomatoes are finally turning red.

•We watched the solar eclipse at North Lake. The LeBell's, Ms. Megan, my friends Lydia and Monica, as well as Monica's two little girls joined us that day.

•we went school shopping abd spent way to much money.

•Our friend Ms. Bridgett invited us to go to the splash pad with her one day in housing.

•the kids spent countless hours playing Minecraft on the PS4.

•just two days ago we went and toured the kids new school and met their teachers.

Now it's Aug 30th; the day before school starts for Jeremy and Aubrie. Kindergarten starts next Tuesday for Drew. We have been cleaning their horrible messy rooms most of the day. Daddy wants to take them out tonight for a last night of summer dinner. I will make sure they have clothes ready for tomorrow and all their stuff in their bookbags. They may think they did nothing this summer. But those kids had a so much happen. This school year will be a wild one. Start school here in Connecticut and ends in California next may. Soo, here we go.

[mylifeasitcomes]

Omg! I can't even. I am beyond blessed to have such an amazing husband. He broke me, I was balling in the middle of the showroom. He said it my Christmas for the next 10 years...but hey, I am ok with that.

[milsostruggles]

Well-intentioned questions:

“When will he get leave next?”

“Where will he be stationed next?”

“Will he be able to come back for my wedding/Christmas/birthdays/holidays/anniversary?”

“When will you get to see each other again?”

[mylifeasitcomes]

Yup. Sounds about right.

[mylifeasitcomes]

Every sub wife hates the submarine… because that bitch gets her husband more than she does.

[mylifeasitcomes]

Priorities

So I had a friend a couple days ago more like a week ago, ask me how I am and why I am towards my husband and my kids. and why I think and do things the way that I do... so after sitting there thinking about it for a little bit, this is what I came up with. Theodore. The Kids. Family and Friends. Everything else. Theo is first. Love that man more than anything on the face of this planet. He is my other half. He will be the one sitting next to me when the kids have grown up and moved away and I don't want to spend the first 20+ years putting him second and try to go back and put him 1st and him not want to be that. We are like any other normal couple, we have our good times and bad times but we hold on to knowing that the other one is first & that our marriage is worth fighting for. The kids are second. If I love theo so much, it makes loving our children even easier. They are our blessings and the true joys of our lives... I also want to show them that hard work on a marriage is a good thing and help them strive to have love for and from someone the way their dad and I love each other. Family and friends. My daddy always used to drill into my head 'Family first everything else second'.. and that I hold on too 100%. After Theo and the kids there's nothing more important than your family and your friends. I have an amazing family and amazing friends that I hold in my heart and would do anything for. Everything else. This includes everything else in my life that is not those tops 3 tiers. Careers, hobbies & passions, etc etc. You know this is just my personal belief and how I like to do things. This is how I'm going to live my life. No one has to agree with it. but I hope someone likes it and understands why I do things the way that I do.

[mylifeasitcomes]

Good Man

Sitting here today just relaxing on my bed with a cup of coffee reading fb. When I look up I see a very clean house. But i didnt make it that way. Theo did. This morning while I slept in, Theo got up at 0630. He picked up the living room, cleaned the kitchen from the night before, made coffee, started laudary, feed the kids, watered the plants and vacuumed. Not because it was a horrible mess or that he had too, but so I wouldn't have too. This man is not just a man. He is a good man. We all have our faults. And trust me he has had his. But he loves his family. He will do anything to make sure our lives are better than his. I know i don't show my appreciation for him enough, but I know that I am the luckiest person on the face of the Earth to have someone who loves me the way that he does, who work in a job that he hates just so that our children have a better life then he did. We could both have jobs and be bringing in so much more money, but he chose for me to be a stay-at-home mom to give our children what he didn't have after his mother passed away when he was a child. He takes the blunt of having to work his ass off so that our kids have someone always there for them. I honestly respect the hell out of him. And yes there are times that we fight ,we scream, we bicker and we go at each others throat. But I wouldn't trade one single fight or one single day were I wanting to just scream at him. Because those times will never outweigh all the amazing memories that we have had together. The moments a pure joy. The sacrifices we have made. No one is perfect, no one is 100% on their game all the time. But I got pretty darn lucky with this one.

[mylifeasitcomes]

I have been busy...

Soooo, I have be so busy over the past month that I haven’t wrote a blog post, not once… I guess it about time to do an update..sooo here it goes.

I packed everything…i mean EVERYTHING by myself. No one else did any of the packing. I started about 2 months before hand, and even after the Uhaul had came and left, I was still packing the random left over crap. I got rid of a TON of stuff, Basically half of our stuff. I sold a lot, curb alerted a lot, and plain’ ol trashed a lot. I worked my butt off! Day after day, after day. But I did it. Packing honestly was the easy part……the schedule changes were the horrible part. My move Date changed at least 30 times. My plan changed over and over and over again. The location changed over and over again. I was sooo over it. I had a major breakdown cry one good time, then put those big girl panties back on And got back to work. By the time I got everything into storage (I will get there, just wait) I was exhausted. Once we had everything out of the unit, the tasks of cleaning came….NOOOOO!!! It took 6.5 hours to clean that unit according to housing Self clean list, and I still failed the inspection. Over dirt in one cabinet, a not perfectly clean sink, and 2 light bulbs…. $361 later I was officially homeless. Homeless never felt so good. I will never never never never NEVER ever ever EVER live in Balfour Beatty housing again. They are horrible!!

I do tho, have amazing friends! Our friends let the 5 of us spend a whole week in there house during our last week in maine. I love them so much. And i owe them so bad now. But man, did we have our work cut out for us. 5 kids and 4 adults is a lot of people in a 3 bedoom condo. All packed in there like sardines, but we made it work. I also had friends come and help me load the Uhaul and clean my unit since I was doing it all alone while Theo was at work.

On the day we checked out of housing, I also watched my best friend drive away to her new home in Nebraska. I cried. :( :( Christmas can’t come soon enough so we can see each other again. I love you girl!!

And finally…i am crazy and drove 3 kids by myself from Maine 14 hours south to North Carolina to see my family for a few weeks. This is why our stuff is in storage. The kids and I came down here, so we put Our stuff in storage so we are not paying for an apartment that no one is using. We have been here 1 day. Omg it’s HOT!! My poor kids are dieing. I had to go out and buy aubrie new clothes to keep her from having HEAT stroke. They were going to school last week in Maine wearing pants and jackets. Now their little bodies are in shock from the weather difference.

We don’t have much planned, it basically a stay-cation at pop-pop’s house. But I will do another update once we get back and into our apartment on all the things we did here.

Thanks for reading. -N

[mylifeasitcomes]

Snooze

One of my favorite things that also drives me insane, is that in the mornings theo's alarm will go off about 5-8 times....... when he presses snooze, he will rolls over and wraps his arms around me! I love it!! Five minutes later the darn alarm is going off again and of course he'll press snooze again and then he'll come right back over to me...this happens over and over again until either it becomes a certain time where he just has to get up or i start nudging him to get out of the bed. As much as I make it seem to him that he's driving me crazy with all the alarms (which honestly he is). I love love love love the fact that he rolls over and shows me that little bit of attention in the morning by just wrapping his arms around me between snoozes. And to Top it off , he alway no mater what; kisses me goodbye before he leaves the room. Almost 8 years later and it happens every morning if he's not on duty/underway.

[mylifeasitcomes]

Not been my day

Today has not been my day at all. Everything is just nonstop. Today started with a 0620ish phone call from the hubby saying he forgot his badge for the shipyard. Most people would think, 'then he should go home and get it'..but thats the problem, if he goes home to get it he will end up not having parking. Parking on this base is HORRIBLE!! So, i got up and got 3 kids up and out the door in five mins to take it to him...my four year old is NOT a morning person..he whined all the way from his bed to base and back. So much fun. By the time we got back from base it was time for us to normally wake up, so it was time for me to get everyone ready for the day. Lol....trying to get kids who are pissed that they got woke up dress isnt easy. Plus, breakfast and all the stuff together...but somehow i got the older 2 out the door in time for the bus. Back inside to try and get the monster i call andrew ready and off to school....he makes the other two look easy. Got him to school at on time while i was rushing and trying not to pull out my hair. From the moment he goes to school at 9am i have 2.5 hours to finish anything i need to do before i have to pick him up...... I head straight to the car dealership, because i got a call them yestersay and said we have your title here for your new car (theo got a new car)...i said ok. I head down there they told me to take it to town hall (our dmv) and they will send it off to the state...get to town hall, they say 'why do you have this? The dealership is supposed to send this off.' ....the lady calls the dealership and loses it on them for over 10 mins that they are not do their jobs right. It was pretty funny honestly. Unlucky for me i had to drive all the way back to the dealership. Now normally that wouldnt be a problem, but the dealership is across the state line in New Hampshire and then all the way across town. It really isnt that far, but with the bridge construction it doesnt make it easy or fast to get there. And i am on a time schedule. But anyways, i get back to the dealership, and they are now wanting me to pay the processing fee to submit it....ummm NO! I already paid that when i bought the car, i am not paying it again because yall messed up. So, i got to basically fight back and forth with them. I did win that fight and they will be submitting it on their own dime. Head back home, its 1030. I got stuck by the bridge going up to let a boat pass so by the time i got back to Maine it was almost 11. That basically cancelled all my plans that i had for my 2.5 hrs alone. I didnt even go home, i just stopped and said hello to my friends for a few mins to pass the time till i had to pick up drew at 11:30. I get drew, he has a melt down because i wont buy him McDonalds for lunch.... i am going to lose my hair..... we get home and as i am making his lunch i am putting dishes in the dishwasher, only to realize that the water is not draining from the sink...crap. turn the garbage disposal on water comes flying out of the sink and hits me in the face. Ewww. Call maintenance, they cant be here till 2. So. I cant do the dishes and i cant use the sink...well this sucks. Make a few phone calls, apply for an apartment in our next location. Write some big checks that make me want to cry. Forget to eat (it still in the microwave and it 1630 right now). Call the submarine and leave a message for theo to grab some paperwork for me for the apartment application. (No he wont call back, and he probably wont get the message either) do some Laundry. And realize its early release day at school, crap gotta go to the bus stop. Get the older 2 from the bus (drew is playing minecraft on ps4)...... maintenance finally shows up. I take all the trash to the curb... plus a ton of extra stuff we are getting rid of. While carrying a mattress to the curb, i rolled my ankle. (Yup, the one almost broke) so now i cant walk right. I walk inside and the maintenance guy has taken over my whole kitchen, there is stuff everywhere. And the drain snake is so loud i cant even hear the kids without yelling. They cant get it to work, so they will have to come back...but left the mess and tools all over my kitchen. No, i am not cleaning that crap up. Its now almost 5, and i cant use my kitchen because maintenance is still here, so i cant make dinner. My ankle is killing me. Theo actually did just call me back surprisingly, so i will get the paperwork i need. So thats a plus i guess.

[mylifeasitcomes]

Changes

Life's changes can take you got a loop. You can have these Big plans, then BAM!! Something changes and you plan has been thrown out the window and a new one starts to take form. Our plan has changed soooo many times with this upcoming PCS (military move). At first it was straight to our new duty station, then geo-baching apart for a couple of months, then straight there again, then geo-baching for almost 2 years, and now its to a different location all together for a few months then finally to our new duty station. My head: --^~~~》》---><<<~^~~《~~--》》--<<^^<《》~>> Now we are getting down to just weeks till the kids and I are moving (i wont say when theo leaves so dont ask). There is so much to do. Packing, school stuff, doctors appts, more packing, cleaning, getting rid of stuff, more packing, cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, organizing the time of everything, etc. I am spinning just thinking about it all. But even with all the stress of moving, we will be a family. All together. There is nothing better than that. I am soo happy that we can be together even if its going to be tight and stressful. I am still so happy.

[mylifeasitcomes]

BLIZZARD!!!

If you know me, you know i hate snow. I am from the south where snow is nonexistent. And when it does come, everyone freaks out, the state shuts down and everyone has way more bread and milk then they can ever consume. But thanks to the Navy i have lived in New England since Oct 2011. (Yeah, let that sink in.... 5.5 long years). I have seen my share of bad weather up here. Noreasters, hurricanes (sandy was not fun), mirco-bursts, hail storms, and wind above 50mph(yup, there goes all the trash can flying down the street) ...pretty much seen it all. But i still hate snow the must. Today ended a nightmarish event called Stella. Stella was one nasty B****. 12-20 inches depending on where you live, whiteout conditions, and freezing cold. Multiple trees down, powerlines breaks, and just like that the whole town went black. 24+ hrs without HEAT! We live in maine, its freaking cold here. And over 24 hrs of no power means no heat. It landed me having to sleep with three kids in my bed all night, while my husband was on duty (24hr shift). All the food in my refrigerator went bad, thankfully i put the meat outside in the cooler and packed it full of snow. But everything else is gone. I went through a blizzard with no milk and no bread. We entertained ourselves with playing cards, reading countless books, coloring, driving mom insane, and many other things. By lunch time today we were all so ready to eat something besides peanut butter crackers. I had to somehow get some food for these kids. But, with the car stuck in the snow and the driveway a giant sheet of ice and without internet, there was no way of ordering or going anywhere. So i got the brilliant idea to text my mom ( who lives over 1000 miles away) and get her too looked up the number to dominos for my town and send it back to me (nana to the rescue). So, for lunch we had a picnic on my bed and engorged ourselves with as much pizza as we could eat. The kids were happy and full. Still freezing, but not hungry anymore at least. By the time my husband got home, my house was an igloo, and i was shoveling snow to break a sweat and stay warm. The snow wasnt the fluffy lets have a snow ball fight kind of snow. It was straight ice. Grown adults could walk right across it without sinking in. So shoveling it was horrible. I went out a few times durig the day to shovel a little bit. But It took forever to break it all up, then shovel it all to the side of the driveway, so i would shovel get tired, go back inside, then go back out and shovel somemore. Once we finished we went to walmart just to go somewhere warm. When we returned we finally saw lights on again. And in that moment i know we all were so grateful. Power!! Something we take for granted, when other people dont even have a roof over their heads. & i am also so thankful for heat. So very thankful. Freezing is not fun, not fun at all. I think the kids and I will be doing some community service soon, give to those who are less fortunate than us. We are so very lucky to have a home, heat, running water, and something to eat. I want to show them to be grateful for the things they have, and to show compassion for others.