The Hostess with the Mostest!

This is a blonder me a couple of days ago! I have my parents visiting this week, all the way from Hutchinson, Kansas. No, they are not FROM Kansas, but rather...live in Kansas. Make no mistake people, we are from the promised land, God's country...TEXAS!

I spent Friday afternoon and Saturday morning scrambling to get my house cleaned and all traces of our plague sterilized. Then we went to pick up boxes in Salinas. It is a little known fact that one could quite possibly die while driving the streets of Salinas, California. That place is a crazy gangstuh's playground! And it's not like those good old Texas towns that might have a bad neighborhood. Oh no. In Salinas one street is great, and the next street you are in the hood in your minivan, sticking out like a sore thumb, hoping you are not approached by crazy street walkers, wishing you had a GPS to direct you to the house with 20 medium to large size boxes, while the kids sing melodies from Enchanted. Crazy times!

So Saturday, we (when I say we what I am really saying is Super Lindz and the kids) drove to San Jose to get Grandmommy and Papa. It was Grandmommy's 10th 42nd birthday. Weird, I know! So we had a most divine dinner on Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey. The coconut crusted sole was super delicious, if I do say so myself!

Sunday, after worship, we (this time I mean Jerm, Mom, Dad, and myself) went golfing at Pacific Grove Municipal Golf Course. Lovingly renamed the poor man's Pebble Beach, it was most amazing! I will post some pics for you to view later, in my "Highlights of Our Vistors' Trip" blog. I will have you know that I have never, no not ever, hit a golf club in my life before this day. I spanked that Pinnacle brand ball right down the middle of the fairway. Turns out...I love golf now that I know I can do it! So we ended the day with a delicious dinner at the Fishwife in PG (Pacific Grove).

Today, we had scheduled the 17 mile drive, but the weather apparently did not get the memo, so it was off to the Redwoods in Santa Cruz. Just for the record, you are required to wear outlandish clothing and might smoke illegal substances if you reside in the downtown Santa Cruz area. That place is a real live hippie town! I don't believe I have ever seen so many grown adults with skateboards in my life! I must say, the town is unique, and I do find that area very intriguing. However, it does stretch my comfort zone a bit!

Well, it's off to bed, for my sweetie pie Savannah Kay turns four tomorrow...well I guess today now! Ack! I really do have to get to bed! I just thought I would check in. Nightie night.

bugs. love, and pajamas

So I have returned to check in, though it has been a rough couple of days since I have last written. I was the next victim of the virus of death. That bug was a nasty one! I now have a much better understanding of what my sweetie pies were suffering with, and I am content to never have that sickness visit our house again! Jeremy is the only one to have resisted the dark side, but even his defenses seem to be weakened. Hold strong dearie!

While I am discussing him...I should move to my next point. Love. I am so blessed to have such a devoted spouse! I mean, yesterday afternoon I called him and warned him of my most disgusting condition, and as soon as he came in the door, he wisked me to bed and waited on me hand and foot. He refilled my ginger ale, all the while packing up this and that, and managing the offspring. I was completely impressed! That sweet guy of mine even brought me a walkie talkie to radio him if I needed anything! Ahhh so is love! Nothing like a face in the toilet to remind you just how loved you really are!

Lastly, today is pajama day at Savannah Kay's school. She is sporting a most precious two piece ensemble with piggies and pink satin. I believe she looks most fabulous! In fact, I shall snap a quick photo for you to enjoy.

A life complete with bugs, love, and silky pajamas...who could ask for anything more?!

Yackity yack...don't come back!

Our home has been plagued with some sort of virus that has us reminicing about those good ol' days of health and pleading for sleep! Similarly to the plague of 1665, do not be surprised if you roll past our residence and observe a red cross on our door accompanied by the words, "Lord, have mercy upon us!"

You see, Rebekah contracted this nasty contagion last Thursday. Poor child! She has encountered a series of unfortunate events in the last few weeks. She hurt her knee a month ago. Turns out she has a severly bruised patella and a torn muscle by her knee. After appointments to the ER, the PCM, the Orthopedic, the MRI facility, and a Prosthetist, she has been fitted with a knee brace. Then this last week she contracted some kind of rash on her neck, face, and belly. We think it is some kind of poision oak. Then Thursday, she began complaining of a tummy ache. Mean ol' Mom sent her on to school. As soon as we got in the door from school Thursday, she was a little less talk and a lot more action!

The weekend seemed to pass without incident, but again, she complained of an upset stomach. Monday morning she starts her wailing, and then before we knew it she was having a heart to heart with the big white telephone. However, after lunch she was back to her old self again.

Then, last night at about 2 am...Savannah sprints into our room and jazzed up our carpet alright. It looked like a crime scene. Jeremy and I sprang out of the bed, and it seemed like slowmotion. He scoops her up and hits the hall bath, only to be just short of the potty before her next bout of the hoakey croaky. I split for the cleaning supplies while he tossed her in the tub. He swears I ran outside like there was some sort of fire drill. After a dip in the tub, we got her all tucked in and all cleaned up, and then Mommy and Daddy just sat bewildered and disgusted in the hallway. We could hear her little voice call from her bunk, "Mommy and Daddy...sorry I choked on your floor." Poor baby! Then we crawled in the bed and literally pleaded with the Lord to heal us of this nasty toxin.

It looks to be a long long LONG day! Savannah has mastered the art of shouting into the trashcan, and I am going to buy stock in Ginger Ale and Saltines. Let's pray this bout of disease doesn't linger for 5 days again!

Manhattan, Kansas that is...

Come and listen to a story 'bout a man named Jerm,
A movin' Army guy, barely kept his address firm.
Then one day while defendin' world peace,
he got his orders, said he's movin' back east...
Manhattan that is, but Kansas, not New York.

Well the first thing you know ol' Jerm is packin' up
Kinfolk said, "Jerm, call a movin' truck."
Said "The midwest is the place you want to be,"
So they loaded up the truck,
and they moved to Ft Ri-ley.

The "Big Red One" that is, First Infantry Division, real Army life again.

***Okay so enough of the comedic family theme, I thought today I would post some pics of the new place. It's a rental, which actually gives us the security to not have to worry about resale in a shaky market. We signed a three year lease, and seem to have a lot of space. There are three bedrooms, a bonus room, a loft, living room, and a full unfinished basement! We can't wait to get there and finally settle down.


OTHER SUPER FANTASTIC NEWS!!! We were told that Jeremy was to deploy in August for a year. Now, I must confess, while this news was most shocking, we realize Jeremy has an obligation to fight for our country. I was reminded by my military friends that Jeremy doesn't just go to practice to sit the bench. He has trained to go and do his duty in the War on Terror. However, yesterday we got some great news. Due to some budgetary changes, Jeremy will not be headed out with this deployment that is now scheduled for November. Hip hip hooray! We will have to face that trial another day!!! So, here's to the our move and my hubbie staying around a little longer!

Drama for the Mama

Having two daughters makes for lots of drama people! Even as I sit here my three (almost four) year old is singing "Fabulous" from High School Musical! Only it sounds more like, "Oh something Fav-you-lus, uh just some huh huh request..." The best part is that as she sings she does her arms in a wide circle with remnants of chocolate donut and a milk mustache on her mouth. Hence I have ammended my autoplayed choice of tune-age for today's blog... just so you can enjoy the sounds of choice from my kiddos!

Bekah left for school with a Hannah Montana shirt on. She swears she has poison oak on her face, which is a little red and irritated, so she begged for some cover-up before exiting for third grade. She didn't like the black sandals I made her wear. She sat and pouted for three minutes before heading down for the donut treat. Then there were grunts of frustration because she couldn't find the backs to her earrings and the pendant on her 'free' necklace fell off. What am I doing all the while? Sitting in my old cheerleading tee-shirt that reads, "God didn't create everyone to cheer, only the best," and a pair of pj shorts, with a bewildered look on my face. This drama mama completely relates to her daughters. It ain't easy being female!

Shameless interjection: I must pride myself in saying that I really do shelter my daughters from most things trendy. No clunky shoes. No mini-skirts or short shorts. Yes, we do listen to Hannah Montana and High School Musical. However, we do have a strict monitoring system on all things Disney and Nickelodeon. Nothing questionable or too grown up to watch or to wear. In fact, I pray daily that my daughters grow up to honor both themselves and everyone around them. (stepping off the soap box) So back to my theatric ante meridiem...

Between the cover-up and the 'fabulous-ness' here I sit, embracing the insanity and clinging to all things solemn! Lord have mercy on me!!! Too much drama for this mama!

Tuesday already???

My, my, myyyyy how time flies when you are having so much fun! My most favorite man in the world has returned in one piece! I might add that he was delayed in Washington D.C. and did not arrive until midnight. Oh what fun...it is to ride...in the van in the middle of the night with two tired children...la la la. Okay, not really. I was so hoping for an earlier reunion, plus...what a waste of make-up to get all dolled up for the ride to and from the base. The point is, we have him home and couldn't be happier!

I most certainly have a long list of things to accomplish before the weekend rolls around again, but before I put it off any longer, I am going to post my reply to Melissa's taggy game! What I wouldn't give for the Star Wars theme to come rolling in right now for a most appropriate and dramatic reveal!

Here it is folks...

The rules are as follows:
1. Link your tagger...http://haskells5.blogspot.com/. Post the rules.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself (random and weird).
3. Tag 7 friends.
4. Leave a comment letting them know they've been "tagged."

Numero Uno: I thrive in procrastination! I put off most things until the very last minute, and then by some chance miracle I usually manage to pull it off with a huge smile! This characteristic makes my mother batty and my husband bald, but I can't help it! It's just me. PS my buddy once told me that procrastination promotes efficiency so nah-nanny-boo-boo!

Point number two: I must clean my ears with a q-tip each and every time I get out of the tub or shower! I know...I know...some medical personnel frowns on these cotton ear hazards on a stick, but I just have to do it. When I am without I just don't feel like I have reached maximum cleanliness!

Numbre tres: I really cannot stand mornings. In fact, it is a little known fact that I am not even human for a least fifteen minutes after I awake. I have researched a vaccine for this one, but it seems that being allergic to mornings is just something I will have to live with for the rest of my life. If you have any more details on others with this condition, I would love to meet with their support group! wink wink

interesting fact four: My favorite channel to watch is HGTV. I love to see other homes and get inspiration for my wish list of home projects to one day do! If I am not tuned into HGTV, I am in my bed trying to go to sleep and then I must confess that my tele is turned to Animal Planet. Jeremy asked me, "Why Animal Planet?"...and I just pointedly answered that logically Animal Planet is not scary. For some strange reason this produced a roar of laughter.

IV: I am an accessory diva. I love all things sparkly and shiny. Necklaces, earrings, purses, bracelets, rings, sunglasses...I love them all. I could never own too many!

6: I must take a picture of each and every life occasion. I love looking back and knowing I have captured a moment that is frozen in film forever. I don't think I will ever look back and think, man I took too many pictures, but rather..."Man I wish I had my camera!"

Super Numero SEVEN: I am a people person. My motto is always "the more the merrier!" I love being surrounded by the people I love. I want everyone I care about to have as much fun as I am having so logically I invite them all to participate. My mother says, "you are so much like your father in that regard." I say, live a little Mom, let's have a party! Thank heaven I have a hubbie that loves being in a crowd too!

There you have it, my seven little random and quirky facts! I don't have seven to tag, but I am tagging Kaely, Karen and Nissa...because Amy and Melissa have already been tagged. Have fun ladies!

Oh just a quick note!

So, I just realized that I was unable to receive comments (thank you Melissa-dearie), so I believe I have amended that! I love to hear your feedback, so please post a comment if you have something to say!

Also, my sweetie's flight has been delayed. Poo-poo on United for that one! So it seems he will be arriving closer to midnight! Makes for a great evening with the kids (are you picking up on my sarcasm?)! Let's see, I'll be lucky if I can keep them awake on the way to the base, and then they will be all wired and ready to see their Daddio. Then I have the daunting task of trying to put them to sleep and have my own Daddy time. Good luck with that one Lindz! At least he is home, right? I mean, I guess that patience fruit of my spirit will most assuredly be tested! Let's pray for a V-I-C-T-O-R-Y! Goooo Lindz!

As for the taggy game...okay Melissa, I promise I will work on that one asap. I hear the dryer finishing up my last load, and I have two prunes in the tub.

More later!

Hip hip hooray for a super duper Fri-day!!!

Now let's see...I spent all this time yesterday doing a blog reply to my buddy Melissa, for this tag thing, and then I went to copy it, and it disappeared. I was especially angry because I had been so clever in most of my answers and all that creativity was just dumped into the technological abyss! So after fuming for a bit, I just logged off and decided to forget it. I would try again later. Sorry Melissa, but I will do it tomorrow!


Don't you just love love LOVE my new and improved bloggie poo?! So it turns out Marina at Penny Lane is a super creative genius. For those of you who would like to have a blog makeover, she is the gal to contact! Check her link on my favorite blogs. Thanks a million to you Marina dear! I do so love my new look!



Also, tomorrow my sweetie pie comes back! After four weeks in France, I am ready to have him in our own Maison! Thank the Lord for Skype. That is the way the kids and I were able to talk to Jeremy everyday he was away. We hooked up our webcam and had a little video teleconference with him. I was even able to look out the window at the city of Bordeaux, so I was practically there (wink wink)! I am becoming so technologically advanced! Aren't you so proud?! I even took this pic with my webcam! If you ever wanna chat like that, just let me know!

I have also just introduced my blog to each and every one of my most favorite email buddies, so hopefully I can be better about updating each of them on our most recent adventures.

What else? I have secured a home front for us in Manhattan. And will post some pictures in the next few days. I can't wait to get settled down, but will miss our new loved one's here in Cali-for-nie-aye! I guess that's about all folks.

Only 28 hours until I see my mister's face! Here's to my big weekend!!!

My Secret Identity Revealed!!!

SOOOO...today was a rather productive day for moi. I have called about a million moving companies in order to nail down plans for our big move. In the past, we have always elected to do a full pack out. This is when the military contracts a moving company to come in and pack everything I own, wrap it up, and ship it to where ever I am headed. That process is stressful because you really want to be organized in order to have some small idea of where things are when they are packed in hopes you can find it on the other end. Then they unpack everything we ask on the receiving destination. Unpack...meaning taking it out of the box and placing it on the nearest flat surface...not putting it away! It tends to look like a hurricane hit your home when 5-7 movers unload mass quantities of household goods. Sounds easy, but it is always a lot of work! This time we have decided to do what is called a dity move. We pack. We load. We contract the carrier. We unload. I know, our sanity is at risk...well for that matter, so is our marriage, (ha ha ha), but the financial gain seems to be worth it. So like I said, I have all the stats on moving stuff. Now the question remains, can she pack her house, load the truck, save the world and be home in time for dinner?! Being a super-mom is so hard sometimes!

Aside from the business of moving, we attended Bekah's open house at school. sniff sniff...I am so proud! Turns out I have the sweetest, smartest, most talented child in the universe! I guess super runs in the family! Savannah even managed to remain human for the duration of the evening! Miracles never cease.

Will the super-mom outdo her self tomorrow? Tune in to our next episode to find out!

Lady-like dinner behavior...

Tonight, dinner was a mix of left-overs. Jeremy has been away for a month now, and all the estrogen is starting to make us each a little loonier! So what do three girls do when eating dinner? Logically, we try to lick our elbows and make crazy faces. Of course every well mannered young lady does this, right? I documented the occasion for your enjoyment!

A little bit of this and that...

1. I have an amazing husband! He goes to Paris this weekend, and comes back telling me how much he thought of me. He's already planning our return trip. Gosh I'm a lucky girl!

2. Great friends make life so perfect! I can't tell you just how nice it is to have low-maintenance friendships that give you that warm fuzzy feeling everytime you hang out. It's even better when they live right next door!

3. No matter the meal, Savannah Kay will always want chocolate milk!

4. Nim's Island is a great flick...we saw it tonight! PS never leave your child on an island alone, if even for the sake of science!

5. MGT 330 is a tough class...especially when you have a paranoid classmate that has your number on speed dial! And I just thought online classes meant less interaction!

6. Moving, although always an adventure, is never fun to prepare for! My to-do list keeps growing and growing and growing...

7. There is ALWAYS drama when estrogen is present! Thank heaven for little girls!

8. Rebekah will always be my heart...she knows just what to do to make her Mommy oh so proud! Tonight she gave me that sweet shoulder tap and said, "Get some sleep Momma."

9. But the best news...MY HUBBY COMES HOME ON SATURDAY!!! I can't wait to see his face again!

Insomnia???

So, I know that it is way way WAY past my bedtime, but I am seemingly wide awake, as I have been working on late night homework. So I thought I would take the time to write a quick little ditty.

I just secured a deal on a property in Manhattan, Kansas...and couldn't be happier! Well, after several weeks of house hunting and an unraveled deal, I was feeling a little down-hearted. Who would have thought it would be so difficult to find a home in northern Kansas??!! Not me, that is for sure! Well, God had something much bigger than me planned. He had the perfect place secured in the cleft of His Almighty hand. He is so faithful to me! I mean, in each military move He has placed me in the perfect place. I never doubted He would do the same in Kansas, but it really does feel so good when His plan is unfolded so clearly. We can now cross off house-hunting on our to-do list! That only leaves about 440 million things to do ;) but at least the biggest part (a roof over our heads) has been taken care of.

On a side note...while you are lifting up songs of praise to God for his faithfulness to provide, could you please ask for His healing hand in the lives of my in-laws? Jeremy's dad is still battling lymphoma, and all the entanglements that come with that territory. Our prayer is, of course, that God be glorified in every circumstance of this situation. We firmly stand on the promise that there is power when two or more are gathered in His name, so your prayers are so coveted.

Well, between the peaceful sounds of Judy Garland, and the peaceful reflection of God's provision, I am finally feeling a little sleepy. It's off to bed before the sun comes up! Goodnight dear ones!

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalm 121:1

Who knows what tomorrow holds?

So here I sit, in the stillness of that blessed 10:00 hour. What do I hear? Nothing! I really do believe that silence can be so golden!

My BEST friend (she loves this title) has recently started blogging. This is quite an accomplishment, as she has had her nose in a book for the last 20 years of her life. Turns out, she has joined the world of technology, and has free time again! Well, she has asked me on more than one occasion to start this blogging business, and now...I suppose is as good uh time as any.

Where does one begin as I embark on my premier blog? I guess I will set the scene of my life tonight, and follow with the days to come!

That stillness is heavenly because I have had my ears filled with the activity and bustle of two precious children, my darling duo, Rebekah and Savannah Kay. Jeremy is away again. It feels like I have typed that sentence far more times that I should want to. While he is walking the streets of Bordeaux, I am walking the path through the garage to the minivan all too often!

Just today, the "Silver Bullet" and I have been to the elementary school with a car load of neighbors, the preschool, the commisary, and back home, back to the elementary school for an early pick up, back to the preschool for the runt, back to the house, to the mini-hospital for an MRI, what's that line? oh yeah...and BACK to the house! Poor little engine! Poor little Mommy!

We read books. I made dinner. We ate. We bathed. We said prayers. They went to bed. Savannah got up. Now the house is still, and even our sweet Maddie-dog is snoozing in the floor.

While singing and giggles are music to a proud mother's ear, the whining and fussing can send me right into that pre-shouting opera song in high soprano..."Puh-leeese siiiiit dooooown and fiiiinish your biiiiiites!"

Whew! It's all in a days work I guess, and I think someone needs a raise!!! Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but one thing is for sure...it will be loud and monumental, and full of excitement for sure!!!