Sunday Stealing 2.9.14

Cupid's Questions Meme

1. Do you like Valentine's Day?

I do.

2. Are you going to celebrate it?

I don't know if we are or aren't this year. It's a Friday, and Chris has to work.

3. Celebrate Valentine's Day with Friends or someone Special?

I think that it would be fun to celebrate with friends. But usually just spend the day/evening with my loves. (Chris, and my two kiddos)

4. Pink or red?

Both.

5. Candy Hearts OR cards?

I think cards.

6. A short kiss or a big hug?

A short kiss.

7. What are your plans for V-day?

Don't know.

8. What would be the best gift to receive?

I don't know. 

9. Would get back with any of your ex's for V-day?

Probably not.

10. Is there a food or beverage you associate with V-day?

Not really.

11. What are your thoughts on "Love at first sight"?

Eh.

12. Do you think people who have dated can stay friends?

I don't think so. 

13. If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice about dating or relationships what would it be?
Don't rush. You have your whole life ahead of you.

Sunday Social 1.5.14

1. Do you plan to change any of your eating habits in the new year?

I don't necessarily want to change my eating habits. I mean, they aren't that bad. But I do want to do less eating out and better home cooked meals with side dishes rather than just the main dish.

2. Any workout tips to get us back in shape after the Holidays?

Ha Ha Ha! No, do you have any for me? A stay at home mommy with two very active kiddos.

3. What is your favorite thing you did over the Holidays?

Chris' parents were here so we spent lots of time with them. It was really nice for the kiddos. I was sad to see them leave though. 

4. What is something you hope that you accomplish in 2014 that you did not in 2013?

Be more of a morning person. I don't mind getting up in the morning. I do every morning with the kiddos. But I think that it would be nice to get up with Chris when he gets up for work. Make a cup of coffee and just enjoy a little bit of me time before the kiddos get up. 

5. Name 3 things happening this year you are excited about and why.

1. My Grama is thinking about visiting towards the end of April. I miss my Grama. Our daily talks just aren't enough for me. My Grama is my rock. The one I go to when I need someone to talk to or just to rant.

2. Chris may re-enlist in the Marines. And if he does that, I am anxious to see where the military will take us.

3. I'm not sure of much happening this year. I am just going to see where the year takes us.

Making 2014 Count

Hope you are having a great start to the New Year! I know I have. My hubby went back to work today for the first time in almost two whole weeks. It has been really nice! I was getting used to him being home. Didn't want to see him go back to work this morning. And our little girl was bummed this morning to find that daddy had to go back to work.

I was browsing blogs this afternoon when I came across a link up. If you care to join head over to The Wiegands and find out how to join in the fun.

1. What is something you want to change, or a goal you want to set for the New Year, and what is your plan for making it happen?
A goal that I have set for the New Year is to be more active on my blog. I want to make it like a journal about our daily lives and what the kids are up to and how they are growing. I want it to be something that my family back home can go to and read daily and know how the kiddos are doing. My plan to make this happen is by taking time every night after the kiddos go to bed and write. Even if it is just a couple of sentences.
Something that I would like to change is to work more every day with Lyric on her speaking and counting/abc's. We work on it weekly, but I would love it if I could work with her more on it on a daily basis. My plan for making this happen is to find a time in the day, preferably while Mikey is napping to spend at least fifteen minutes working with her.

2. Many people choose a word to reflect on, live by, or aspire to for the New Year. Let us know your word, how you decided upon it, and how you hope to incorporate it into 2014.
The word that I am going to live by is to be Healthy. I decided on this word because I have said for a while now that I would like to drink more water, walk more, and fix better meals with less junk foods. My plan is to fix more meals with more vegetables and fresh foods more than anything else, and to broaden our meals more. I want to try more meals out instead of always fixing the same 5 or 6 meals that I am always fixing. I bought new cookbooks that use more fresh vegetables and are already portioned for two meals. Which would be perfect for me and Chris. The meals that I make now can serve up to 6 people and when we have that much at the table, we seem to go for seconds and sometimes thirds of whatever we are eating because it is already there and ready to eat. I am fine with leftovers, but sometimes we don't end up with much for leftovers. I also want to have more of a variety when we eat. I want to have an actual meal when we sit down to eat instead of our main dish. Which is what we usually have. I want to have side dishes as well. As long as they are still on the healthy side. :) I want to go for more walks on a daily basis. Be active in general. Take the kids outside and let them run around when it isn't to dang cold for them. I would like to get back into the habit of going to the mall or outdoor strip mall every weekend where we just walk around and window shop. :) It's always fun to get out into the fresh air and window shop. 

3. I will make 2014 count by...
living in the moment. I will try not to worry too much about what needs to be done and just enjoy the moments. Time goes by so quickly, my babies aren't going to be babies forever. They are growing up in the blink of my eye. I wish that I could freeze or slow down time, but I can't. The only think that I can do is to live in the moment and enjoy every second that I have with them and remember these moments while they are little and take as many pictures as I can. :)

30 Days of Me Challenge (Day 3)

Day 3: What is the greatest amount of physical pain you have ever endured?

I think the greatest amount of physical pain that I have ever endured is my child birth experience with my first one, Lyric. I attempted to go all natural and almost made it all the way. I was experiencing contractions for about a day and a half before my midwife said that I was good to come in and have Lyric. She kept telling me that my contractions were not close enough together nor were they strong enough. Although, I thought that they were strong and close, but not enough to their liking. :(

I finally went into the birthing center and worked on having Lyric. I was coming along pretty good I think. Yes, I was in a whole lot of pain. I really wanted to have a water birth. It was coming along and then I got to nine centimeters. And that's as far as I could dilate. We tried everything for what seemed like forever. Almost twenty four hours into my labor at the birth center, I decided that it was time to transfer to the hospital right down the road. I could not handle the pain anymore. I needed the pain medicine that the birth center did not have. We transferred to the hospital and I got the epidural. They let me rest for about an hour and then they came and checked on me and I was dilated to ten centimeters. And so came the pushing... I think that I pushed for a half hour, forty five minutes tops and I finally had my baby girl here in the world. She was born on Thanksgiving day. She is my little turkey baby.

From the start of my consistent contractions a day and a half before going to the birth center up until the time Lyric was born I was in labor for one hundred and one hours. And I wouldn't change anything about my birthing experience with her. Although, I can say that I am blessed that I transferred to the hospital because they were able to notice things that we probably wouldn't have noticed if I had stayed at the birthing center. We were able to react and act faster than we would have elsewhere. 

The only thing that could have made the experience better was to have my hubby there beside my side. He was away in California at MCT for the Marine Corps. But he was home with us about fifteen days later when he graduated from there. He was home with us for about fourteen days then had to go to North Carolina for MOS school. It was nice to have him home for a little while after our little girl was born. :)

Back to Routine :(

Chris went back to work today for the first time in just under two weeks. He was able to take leave while his parents were here for Christmas. And it just happened to work out that when his leave officially ended he just had to check back in with work and went on to go on to his 96 for the New Year. 

It was different getting up this morning, because he wasn't there next to me to get up with me and the kids. I got used to having him home. And I think the kids did too. Lyric got up came to our bedroom door, she can't get into our room because of the baby gate. She likes to sneak into our room and bathroom and get into stuff that she's not supposed to. But she came to the bedroom and called out for daddy. But daddy wasn't there to answer. So, we went about our day... Without daddy. :(

Lyric and Michael got a play kitchen, kitchen set with pots and pans and a 4 place dinner setting along with a ton of other utensils that you can use for cooking and baking, a 5 colored bucket set with 5 fruits/veggies in each bucket, and they each got a small shopping cart with a seat for a doll or stuffed animal. Lyric loves to play with play doh with all the many pots and pans and utensils. But hates that she has to put it away while Mikey is awake and playing in the living room with her. He likes to try to eat the play doh. 

I love the play kitchen that we got the kiddos. It was cheaper but has many pros as to why I like it so much. It was made here in the U.S.A along with the carts. :) It was reasonably easy to put together (as long as you don't skip ahead in the instructions.) It is a perfect height for both of the kiddos and lots of storage space and makes sounds. :) It fits really nicely in our living room under our t.v and doesn't take up a lot of space as the other ones do. :) I think it is a perfect first play kitchen. And I think that we are going to get lots of use out of it. Yeay!

First Day of a New Year

Wow! I cannot believe that it is a new year. Where has the last year gone? 

Me and Chris have been together for 4 years, and married for 3.

Chris turned 21. And I turned 23.

Lyric turned 3 years old. And Michael turned 1 year old.

We all went home this past summer for a month. It was Chris' first time being home since he joined the Marine Corps, and it was Mikey's first time going home as well. And the first time many of our families got to see him in person for the very first time. 

I met my nephew, Maison for the first time. Cute little boy. 

Spent Christmas with Chris' parents. It's always nice to have family over for the holidays. Makes it that much more enjoyable. Maybe one year my grama and uncles can come visit for Christmas? I think that would be great and really enjoyable. That is unless we are stationed closer to home and it is easier for us to come home for Thanksgiving or for Christmas. 

I am looking forward to 2014. My grama is thinking about coming to visit in the spring. Chris has been thinking about re-enlisting. So, I wonder where we could be stationed. I think that it would be great to be in North Carolina. Somewhere by the water. 

Happy New Year!

Here is to a new year!

I am hoping that I will write at least once a day on my blog. I know I said that last year, but now that Mikey isn't as little and doesn't need my attention constantly, I hope that I can post everyday about what we do each day and how the kids are and what they have been up to on that particular day. 

I am also going to get back into my Early Childhood Education studies this month and finish that, I hope. 

I also hope to get back down to my pre-baby weight. I didn't lose much of it after having Mikey, and didn't lose anymore while breastfeeding. :( I just want to be healthier and have more energy really. 

Memorial Day

Memorial Day: A Day We Will Never Forget

Photo By - http://www.household6diva.com/

Memorial Day, was originally called Decoration Day, it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

I think that we should all remember during this holiday weekend that the freedoms that we enjoy, they come at a cost.

May God Bless The Families of the Fallen, 

and 

Those Who are Currently Deployed Around the World.

I especially remember the memory of my grandfather. Who is one that fought for my freedom. 

I miss you very much Popa. 

Rock reads: 

MORGAN JANAE

WITH LOVE,

OOMPA

Santa

While we were back home in Idaho...

My grama had a dancing Santa Claus.

And boy, 

Has she fallen in love with it.

See?

After she has me or Chris turn it on...

She starts to dance with him.

And then she picks him up and holds him,

And, 

Hugs him.

Poor Baby.

I think that she is getting tired.

Rubbing her eyes...

And now...

She's playing with Santa's eyes.

I don't think that this is going to be put away with all the Christmas decorations because, she likes to play with it. And I don't see why I should put it away if she is going to continue to play with him. So, he shall, when the time is right, be put upstairs in Missy's room with the rest of her stuffed animals so that she can play with him when she pleases.

11 in '11

WoW! I can't believe that 2011 has come and gone. I can't believe how fast this past year has gone. Me and Chris had our one year anniversary, Lyric turned a year old. Chris went through boot camp, MCT and MOS school. Then we got stationed in Norfolk, Virginia and have been here for the past nine and a half months. It feels like this past year has flown by! I hope this next year doesn't go by as fast and I also hope that Lyric will not grow up as fast as she has been. I want her to stay small like she is now. I don't want her to grow up. (Sniffle Sniffle)

11. Favorite movie you watched:

10. Favorite TV series:

9. Favorite restaurant:

8. Favorite new thing you tried:

7. Favorite gift you got:

6. Favorite thing you pinned:

5. Favorite blog post:

4. Best accomplishment:

3. Favorite picture:

2. Favorite memory:

1. Goal for 2012:

My 11 in '11

11. Favorite movie you watched:

I watched a lot of new movies that came out, but if you know me, then you know that I am a die hard Harry Potter Fan. So, my absolute favorite movie that I watched this past year was the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 movie that I saw opening night at midnight. I can't believe that the series is over and done with. I even cried after the movie.

10. Favorite T.V Series:
My favorite T.V series are/were The Secret Life of an American Teenager, Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game, Army Wives, and Switched at Birth. 

9. Favorite Restaurant:
Franco's Italian Restaurant. Chris found this place one afternoon trying to find a place to eat for lunch. He thought it was just a whole in the wall restaurant but it turned out to be a really nice restaurant in a little tiny strip mall. So, one evening Chris, me and Lyric went and had dinner there and I think that we fell in love. I know I have. And since we have been here we have eaten there at least four times. And I have loved it!

8. Favorite new thing you tried:
I don't think I tried anything new. 


7. Favorite gift I got:
My favorite gift that I got was getting the opportunity to be a stay at home mom to our beautiful baby girl and getting to take my associates classes online.


6. Favorite think you pinned:
I haven't gotten the chance to pin anything yet. I have been waiting for an invitation to join. 


5. Favorite blog post:
The blog post that I love the most is the post that I wrote about how I get to wake up every morning. You can read it here.


4. Best accomplishment:
I think that my best accomplishment was getting started on my studies for my Early Childhood Education degree.


3. Favorite picture:
My favorite picture is any pictures that I have taken of Lyric. I have so many pictures that I love, that it is too hard to decide which one is my favorite.


2. Favorite Memory:
My favorite memory is when Lyric started to roll over, crawl, stumble and then walk, and when she first said "momma." All of these events made me cry or teary eyed.


1. Goal for 2012:
My number one goal for 2012 is to take at least one picture of Lyric everyday and write about it here on my blog. Another goal of mine is to loose at least ten pounds or more if I can and to take a walk with Chris, Lyric and Tara at least three nights a week before calling it a night.

Veterans Day

2011 Free Veterans Day Meals

Applebee’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11: Last year, Applebee’s served 1,024,000 million free meals to military veterans and active servicemembers. Applebee’s is again offering a free meal to military veterans and active-duty service members on Veteran’s Day, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. There will be 7 entrées to choose from. Military ID or proof of service required. Find locations at http://applebees.com/.

Chili’s – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Chili’s is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 6 meals. This offer is available during business hours on November 11, 2011 at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only; beverages and gratuity not included. Veterans and active duty military simply show proof of military service. Visit their website to find locations.

Golden Corral – Free meal, Monday Nov. 14: The 10th annual Golden Corral Military Appreciation dinner will be held on Monday, November 14, 2011 from 5 pm to 9 pm in all Golden Corral Restaurants nationwide. The free “thank you” dinner is available to any person who has ever served in the United States Military. If you are a veteran, retired, currently serving, in the National Guard or Reserves, you are invited to participate in Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Monday dinner. For more information visit http://www.goldencorral.com/military/.
Special thanks to Golden Corral: To date, Golden Corral restaurants have provided over 2.5 million free meals and contributed over $4.3 million to the Disabled American Veterans organization.

Hooters – Free Meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Hooter’s is serving up a free meal to military veterans all day on Veterans Day. Offer good for all veterans and active duty military personnel. Choose one of the new specialty items on the Hooter’s menu. Offer valid at participating Hooters only; open to all active duty and military veterans with valid military ID or proof of military service. Drink purchase required. For more information, visit, www.HootersVeteransDay.com.

Krispy Kreme – Free doughnut. Available only at participating Krispy Kreme stores. Offer available to all active-duty, retirees & veterans on Friday November 11th. Be sure to call ahead to verify your local Krispy Kreme is participating.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants – free lunch or dinner, Sunday Nov 13, 2011: McCormick & Schmick’s is celebrating their 13th annual Veteran’s Appreciation Event on Sunday, November 13th. Veterans will be able to choose a complimentary lunch or dinner entrée. Veterans must provide proof of military service. Be sure to contact your local McCormick & Schmick’s as this is valid at participating restaurants only. Also, Space is limited and reservations are highly recommended. For more information visit: M&S Veterans Appreciation Event.


Outback Steakhouse – A week of Free Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes Monday Nov. 7 – Friday Nov. 11. Outback Steakhouse is honoring America’s military veterans by offering active duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and a Coca-Cola product during the week leading up to Veteran’s Day. This offer is available to Military Personnel who have one of the following forms of identifications: U.S Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), DD form 214 Veterans Organization Card (i.e., American Legion and VFW), Photograph in Uniform, Wearing Uniform. For more information, visit, http://outback.com/companyinfo/veteransday.aspx.
The Outback understands commitment. For the past two years, The Outback, with the help of their patrons, has donated $2 Million to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization providing everyday and emergency support for active troops, wounded warriors and their families.

Subway – Free Six Inch Sub. Select Subway locations offer a FREE six inch sub to military veterans on Veteran’s Day. However, Subway restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. Please call ahead.

Texas Roadhouse – free meal, Friday, Nov. 11. Offer varies by location; our local Texas Roadhouse is offering a free meal from opening until 4pm. Other locations may vary in offer, hours, or availability. Call ahead to your local restaurant for more information.

T.G.I. Friday’s – Buy one get one free Nov 11-14. At participating locations for anyone with an old or current military ID. November 11-14.

Uno Chicago Grill, Friday, Nov. 11. Uno’s is offering a free entree or individual pizza with a purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value. Offer good for all military  for veterans and active duty military. ID or proof of service required: Show up in uniform (if your service permits), provide military ID, show a picture of yourself in uniform, or have other ID showing proof of service. More info here.

Home Depot and Lowes Coupon Updates

Update: Home Depot and Lowes 10% Military Discount Available Everyday.
Home Depot: The Home Depot(R) is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veteran’s Day. The offer is valid on purchases of up to $2,000 for a maximum of $200 and is available at The Home Depot stores, The Home Depot Design Center locations, Yardbirds and EXPO Design Center(R) locations. The 10% discount is available everyday for active duty and retirees, but not all veterans. Home Depot makes this offer available to all veterans on most military holidays. You can also find Home Depot discounts online.
Lowes: Lowe’s Companies, Inc. will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store U.S. purchases made during the Veterans Day holiday. The discount is available Nov. 7 – Nov. 11. The discount is available on in-stock and special order purchases up to $5,000. To qualify, individuals must present a valid military ID or other proof of service. Excluded from the discount are sales via Lowes.com, previous sales, and purchases of services or gift cards. Like Home Depot, Lowes offers this discount daily to active duty military members, but not to veterans. However, they extend the offer to military veterans on military holidays. You can also find exclusive discounts at Lowe’s.com.

Free Park Admissions for Veterans Day

Anheuser-Busch Parks. Anheuser-Busch Parks offers Active Duty Service Members free admission for them and up to 3 dependents to any of their parks once a year. Throughout 2011, members of the military and as many as three direct dependents may enter SeaWorld, Busch Gardens or Sesame Place parks with a single-day complimentary admission. The Here’s to the Heroes program is only available to Any active duty, activated or drilling reservist, or National Guardsman. Eligible parks include: Adventure Island, Busch Gardens (Tampa Bay or Williamsburg), SeaWorld (Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio), Sesame Place, and Water Country USA. Not valid at Discovery Cove and Aquatica. Christmas Town at Busch Gardens in Williamsburg, Va. is not included as part of this program. For more information and to register, visit: Free admission summary, and ticket application.

Colonial Williamsburg Free Admission. Colonial Williamsburg offers free weekend-long admission tickets to active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, and their immediate dependents from Friday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 13th. The complimentary ticket incudes admission to Colonial Williamsburg exhibition sites, art museums, and most daytime programs, as well as free parking and use of the shuttle bus system. Tickets are only available at on-site ticket sales locations. Tickets are also available to families of deployed servicemembers. Tickets available on the following dates: Nov. 11-13.
Historic Jamestowne – Free Admission. The National Park Service commemorates Veterans Day with Fee Free days at Historic Jamestowne November 11-13. Free admission for everyone. See events calendar.
Knotts Berry Farm Military Tribute Days – Free Admission. Knott’s Berry Farm has an annual Military Tribute event in which they offer military members past and present by offering free park admission. This year the Military Tribute Days run from November 1 – 24 November (Thanksgiving Day).  Veterans or current serving military personnel plus one guest get in FREE with proper ID presented at Knott’s turnstile (DD214, Veterans Administration Hospital ID or Active Military Service ID). Purchase up to six additional tickets for just $17 each. More info.

Fee Free Day at National Parks. To honor America’s service men and women, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that areas managed by the National Park Service would not charge entrance fees for Veteran’s Day weekend – November 11-13, 2011. Over 100 national Parks will be participating in this event.

San Jacinto Monument and Museum (La Porte, TX). November 7-13: Free admission to the theatre, Observation Floor, and (on November 12-13) the special exhibit to all veterans and their families. More info.

Bed and Breakfast for Vets

In the third year of the program, B&Bs for Vets has organized over 485 (and counting) participating Bed and Breakfasts and Inns across the US and Canada which will be offering veterans a free night’s stay on November 10th, the night before Veterans Day. This offer is available to both active duty military members and veterans with ID, but space is limited. Each Inn and B&B has at least one room available for this promotion and reservations must be made directly through the participating Inns and B&Bs. For more information visit B&Bs for Vets.

Free Hugo® Canes for Veterans.

Sam’s Club® locations nationwide will distribute 36,000 Hugo® canes free of charge on November 9th, 10th, 11th, 2011 to U.S. military veterans in need of mobility assistance. Limited quantities available, while supplies last. Sam’s Club® Membership is not required, but proof of military service may be required. For more information, visit HugoSalutes.com.

 

Other Veteran’s Day Discounts

Here are some additional Veteran’s Day Discounts. In all cases, be sure to provide proper ID or proof of service. In addition, some of these stores are franchises, so verify participation before assuming the discount is in place.

• Free Car wash. Thousands of car washes around the country are offering vets a free car wash on Veterans Day. Find a list at Grace for Veterans, which helped veterans receive 101,537 FREE Washes on Veterans Day in 2010.
• Amazon.com – Discount “Veterans Day Honor” MP3 album download. This downloadable album includes 12 songs as performed by the military bands and ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces. Visit Amazon on Veteran’s Day to download the album.
• Netflix – One Month Free Trial.
• Sport Clips – FREE haircut to active-duty military & veterans. Offer only available at select locations. Please call to verify local participation.
• Tim Hortons – all US locations are offering a free donut to all veterans (check out the Star Spangled donut!).

Baby Girls Present

Saturday afternoon,

Baby Girl got a birthday present. 

A birthday present from Grandma and Grandpa.

  

She got the Go Baby Go! Stride-to-Ride Dino.

It is a toy to help her walk and then once she masters the walking part.

The Dino can turn into a ride on Dino.

And by the looks of it, 

Wouldn't you say that she likes it?

She loves to push the buttons on the little Dino's head. Because they sing and talk and flash different colors. 

Just look at her face! Isn't that the face of pure joy? 

Sorry, I don't know why my video is sideways.

Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July!

This fourth of July we had Chris' parents over and two other couples who work with Chris.

The boys bar-b-que-d hot dogs. And were making fireballs. Haha! 

We listened to music, played a big game of 65 cents, and watched fireworks from the living room window as it was raining outside so we didn't go to Mount Trashmore Park for their fireworks. Although one couple left and took their daughter with them to watch the fireworks while the rest of us stayed here and started playing Dance Central on the Kinect on the XBox. While dancing, Mike and Diana were laughing at us because we looked hilarious trying to dance. 

It was still a lot of fun. 

Even Lyric was having a good time!

Memorial Day

Memorial Day: A Day We Will Never Forget

Photo By - http://www.household6diva.com/

Memorial Day, was originally called Decoration Day, it is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service.

I think that we should all remember during this holiday weekend that the freedoms that we enjoy, they come at a cost.

May God Bless The Families of the Fallen, 

and 

Those Who are Currently Deployed Around the World.

I especially remember the memory of my grandfather. Who is one that fought for my freedom. 

Rock reads: 

MORGAN JANAE

WITH LOVE,

OOMPA