I received news yesterday that our unit lost 2 more men.

One of them was a husband of a very good friend, Annie.

They have  a little girl, Sophie.

Please pray for comfort and healing for them.

I’m not feeling so well and I’m too overwhelmed and frightened,

so I’m taking a break.

It could be a day or a week, I’m not sure, 

but I have a feeling I just need some rest and to be with my family.

Your prayers are greatly appreciated,

see you soon.

Two months down, a sixth of a way through this deployment (if it gets changed to a year).

It’s starting to cool down here, and that is a welcome change.

We are walking every morning…I need the exercise.

Can you guys tell me about your experiences with Weight Watchers?

I’d like to lose about 10-15 lbs. and I think this might be the way to go.

I’d love to hear any stories you have.

SHE:

Is doing so much better in ballet. I still have to sit in the class with her,

but I’ve decided it’s worth it b/c she loves it so much.

Mother’s Day out has been wonderful to. She still cries when I drop her off,

but I’ve heard that within 10 minutes she is fine and involved.

That makes me happy. When I was frustrated with the tantrums recently,

a friend reminded me that she is spunky and smart, and that those were the kids i loved most when i was a teacher. 

Thanks for the reminder, Cathy. It’s true.

I just have to remind myself to not openly get frustrated with her, because that models frustration.

Choices work well with her. 

It’s funny how when you pray over and over for patience,

God sure gives you trials and tribulations.

SHE:

Is pulling up on EVERYTHING. If it is stationary, then she will stand on it.

I say “Just be a baby, Sadie!! We don’t have to be in a rush for this standing and walking thing!!”.

She’s ready though, man. Sometimes I catch her trying to stand up on her own.

So not ready for that.

HE:

Is busy and safe, as far as I know.

Because of repeated OPSEC (operational security) violations by the boys…

My Space,etc… he has made the choice to cut off communications for the time being so that he can retrain OPSEC and stress the importance of not revealing secret things on the internet. 

It’s frustrating, but has to be done. And I’m proud of him for joining in the ban, too. Because he didn’t have to.

So hopefully I will hear from him by the end of next week.

I keep telling myself “no news is good news”

although it doesn’t help one damn bit.

My hair’s falling out and I was worried last week that I was getting an ulcer,

but things seem better this week.

I:

(no picture yet)

Got my hair cut even shorter yesterday, more layers, and red highlights.

I’m working on Studio Calico layouts and some other assignments, 

and trying to stay positive.

Thanks so much for all of your great questions. Next week ,I will start answering a few on each paint. I have some research to do before then.

NOTE TO SELF: find out paint colors in house!

Happy weekend, friends.

xo

“MOMMY…where ARE YOU??” “DOING mama???” “Mama, what IS that?”- she said that one when she looked in the shower and I’m not going to even tell you what she was talking about.

“MOMMY WOOK!!! FEED DUCKIE BOOGER WHOOPER!!!”

when i peeked out of the shower at this one, she was sucking the rubber duckie’s nose with the bulb syringe and shooting saline drops up his nose. she told me he was hungry.

Harper acting disgusted with me when I look over, see her feeding her monkey puppet play bacon from her kitchen, and say “oh, harper…that’s so sweet, are you feeding your monkey bacon?”…and she yells

“NO MOMMY..IT”S BANDAID. MONKEY HAS OUCHIE”.

and i need to realize that she doesn’t get sarcasm.

when she says “WHY MONKEY CRY?”

and i say “oh..i don’t know, maybe he doesn’t like you putting raw bacon on his ouchies??”

she’s not going to get it. 

Harper YELLING everything. Even when we go through the drill..

me- harper, where is mommy, is she close or far?

h- mommy close, mommy right there.

me- so why are you yelling?

h- HARPER NO YELLING.

teenager sass in a two year old.

Harper yelling “NEED SEE SADIE’s POOP” every time I change Sadie’s diaper.

What is it with 2 year olds and poop? Even when I tell her not to talk about it so much, she is OBSESSED. if you are so obsessed,

why don’t you GO IN THE DAMN POTTY????

sorry.

this look:

She is becoming very familiar with her time out chair.

She has a small stash of things there including a handkerchief.

She wipes her face dramatically with the handkerchief when she is in time out.

Don’t get me wrong, I love her…

but I had no idea it would be this hard.

but isn’t she beautiful? i love her.

(sidenote- right now she is sitting in her rocking chair, rocking and yelling “MOMMY, HARPER TIRED. HARPER HAVE HARD DAY. HARPER HAVE BUSY BUSY TIME.” and she is rocking and FANNING herself. i’m not joking.)

Lord

HELP 

me.

xoxo

s

(the latest prima layout…)

just being outside, getting a little exercise, and shopping all at the same time…

well that took away a bit of the blues.

Eight dollars very well spent.

Harper was SO excited to go today, not only did she want to choose her own outfit,

she also wanted me to take a picture. whaaa??

Very serious junker, that one.

Get this, last night she was throwing a MASSIVE fit,

and I was emotionally drained.

I sat on the floor by her time out chair and just started crying.

She stopped screaming, climbed in my lap, put her little forehead against mine

and her hands on either side of my face and said 

“WHATS WONG MAMA?? ISSS OKAY,MAMA..SHHHH, ISSS OKAY!!”

and of course that made me cry harder…

what a punkin. even when she is driving me nuts.

I hope you are all having a blessed weekend, I’m going to leave you with a new layout I did last week.

xoxo

s