Princesses, Race Cars, and the Potty [where art thou, Shawn]

So After I blogged yesterday , a few awesome things happened! Those of you who read this or just know my kids, know that Gizelle is the biggest snot-head sometimes. She hates sharing, she hates taking turns, everything is hers, and she will fight to prove her point. Gizelle, who was snooping throught bags, found her fairy dress that I bought her to wear when we strutted our stuff in the fashion show at her school. She automatically wanted to wear it, of course. I put it on her, Aubrey starts asking "wheres my dress?" Aubrey was never into dress up, so she doesn't have any. I swear, sometimes Gizelle can hear, either that or she secretly mastered reading lips. Gizelle runs away, and comes back with the princess Tiana dress that her Wely & Welo (her fathers parents)bought her, and she didn't even wear it yet. She SHARES the dress with her sister, HELPS her put it on, GIVES her the magic wand that matches,  and even FINDS her a Tiara to wear! NO WAY!!! They played, so nice, and were so good. Made Mommy proud =) Here is a picture of the love bugs.

Tell that isn't adorable!! Oh, and Gizelle used a stamp to make her mouth blue so her lips could match her dress. They are sharing they dresses and playing nicely again right now as I type! So, I think in order for them to play nicely, I must dress them up as princesses and fairys and such. Note taken!

After all the cute-sy stuff, Aubrey of course decides to run around naked. I was so wrapped up in downloading and reading all this crap so I can upgrade my android version since I was stuck in the land of 1.5. Aubrey made a noise, I look over and see this small little trickle of pee running down her leg. "NO!! Aubrey your supposed to pee-pee on the potty!" The potty was literally right in front of her. AND We made a deal, when she decides to go pee-pee on the potty, we will go to the store and buy her Baby All Gone. She has been begging for it. So, I flip up the potty lid and see there is 2 of the "bippity boppity boo" mouses in there from cinderella. I hurry and grab them out and my hand is in a liquid, and its warm. First thought, "whatever she needs to hurry up and go pee".. Second thought " SHE ALREADY DID!!"

Yes. on 4/9/2011, Aubrey Lorraine went on the potty all by herself. I grabbed her and swung her in a huge circle, cheering her and congratulating her. Her response?? "I don't want Baby All Gone" Really? Come on, I knew she didn't do it for free. "I want a guitar" HAHAHA I thought, Daddy is going to love this one. Of course, next thing she said was that she wanted to talk to him.

 She calls Daddy.. I lover her conversations "Hi Daddy! I miss you. I went pee pee on the potty, and I don't want baby all gone, I want a guitar. The phillies won, woohooo! I'm a princess. I love you. See ya tomorrow! Sweet Dreams!" We decided, we will take her to toys r us and let her get what she wants.

Now I am just counting down to when Shawn walks thru the door. I can't decide what I love more, The excitement I feel when the door "jingles" before it opens, or the kids faces (and the dogs) when they realize he's home. He doesn't care if he is in ACU's or not, he will sit and get all the hugs Aubrey and Gizelle have to offer, then sit on the couch and get all the kisses Monty can give. Sometimes I think Monty misses him more then I do!

 I love it. I love that he is drowned in love when he walks in. I love my husband. I love my family. Yea, it gets crazy, but I cherish every moment.

xoxo - Katie

"Mommy, I'm mad at the Phillies" [philly.pride]

Today was good (it IS only 3:30 though). Last night, we learned that the government reached an agreement, and there will not be a government shutdown. Great! This morning, we started the day calm. Just the girls and I, and of course the dogs. We started watching cartoons. Gizelle was very into her little dress up princess dolls today. It was nice having her focused and busy, and quiet. I checked to see what time the game came on. 1:10, good, it left the kids with another 45 minutes of TV time, then game on.

I told Aubrey, since she was the only one watching TV, that it's time to say bye bye to cartoons because the Phillies were coming on. Her first reacton was "LETS GO PHILLIES WOOOOHOOO!" Then I changed to channel. I tried to get her to cheer again, she stomped her foot and gave me an ugly look. "Mommy, I'm MAD." "What's wrong Boog?" Boog is a name I gave her when she was an infant.. I called her my Booga Bear. "Mommy, I'm mad at the Phillies" I said "Are you mad at the Phillies, or are you mad because I turned off the cartoons?" She smiled and said "The Phillies are going to win" Thats my girl! haha

Right before the game started, I remembered I bought some temporary tattoo's. I only cut one, because Aubrey told me she didn't love the Phillies. I told her only Phillies Fans can have them. Gizelle gets excited as soon as she sees them. To say Phillies in Sign Language, you just sign a "P" on your chest, like how it says Phillies on their uniforms. Anyway, here is the tattoo that she is very proud to sport today.

Gotta love her zebra print pants! The game is still on (10-2 Phillies, bottom on the 9th), but I am multitasking since the munchkins are occupied by freeze pops and my cell phone game. I wish Shawn was here. I know he will be back tomorrow, but every time he's away over night, it kind of messes with the kids routine. Aubrey was really upset last night. She walked to me with her head down and her lip pucked out. "I miss daddy." And it wasn't her usual 'I miss daddy' it was as if she really needed him at that moment. I called him, not even sure if he would answer. Luckily, he did. Aubrey LOVES talking on the phone. "HI DAD! I LOVE YOU. AND I MISS YOU. IM GOING TO SLEEP ON YOUR PILLOW. THE PHILLIES LOST. I'LL SEE YA SOON. SWEET DREAMS!"

At least tonight, Aubrey can say we won today!

xoxo - Katie





Government Shutdown; Army Wife Meltdown

Okay, I was having a good day. Then I got really into all this Government Shutdown, dare I say, Bullcrap. As an Army Wife, a proud one at that, of course, you would assume I am not smiling.

All it took was a few words to set me off. Military Pay Freeze. ARE YOU SERIOUS? My husband didn't join the army because of a pay check, let me say that first. He just happens to have always loved history, and also happens to love where he lives. He loves it so much, he decided to sign his life into a contract that could actually cost him his life. Is there many that would do the same?

Somebody spoke on my status earlier, stating last time they checked, the Military was volunteer. Yes, correct. Nobody is holding a gun to your head and telling you to join. But, if the BRAVE souls that have joined the military would have never joined, people would be drafted. Thank GOD people like my husband, and my best friend, who is a woman, serve this country proudly. If not, people that didn't give a rats ass might be drafted, people that couldn't care less even. And then what? They could have "not cared" in combat, and could to plenty more harm then good. THANK YOU SERVICE MEMBERS FOR DOING ALL THAT YOU DO. AND ALSO, THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOUR FAMILIES.

Now, These brave BRAVE B-R-A-V-E men & women protect us. They fight for us. They are the reason why I have the freedom to speak freely on this blog. They are the reason random stranger can stand in front of them in uniform and tell them how terrible they are. Do they not deserve to get paid? How dare you, congress. Yea, I said it. Why doesn't Mr. Barack Obama freeze his pay? It's not like he has to pay a mortgage. He doesn't have to worry about a late utility bill. Don't get me wrong, it isn't just Obama, he has all of congress with him too. As a matter of fact, freeze their pay too. Our troops actually train, go to classes, leave their families, risk their lives, to defend this country. Why take their pay away and keep paying those who just keep causing us all more economic hardships? It's really sad.

It's as if Obama catchy little "YES We Can!" turned into "Uhmm I thought we could." Meanwhile, crazy old Donald Trump, that rich rich man, is being pretty awesome. I must say, I first learned about him considering running for president while watching him get roasted on comedy central. I thought it was hilarious. Now, Mr. Trump has this big investigation, paying SO many people to investigate our Mr. President Obama, to show his birth certificate because he is trying to prove that he wasn't born here. NOW, if I was Mr. Obama, I would call up Donald, and tell him to come over for some ice cream and show him my birth certificate. Why is it so secret? It's actually kind of creepy. We don't even know if he was born here. I am honestly weirded out still because a long time ago somebody pointed out to me how Barack sounds like Iraq, and Obama sounds like Osama. Did somebody make a whoopsie and allow some freak to run this country? Makes me wonder.

Anyway.. I was watching NBC news. They had a countdown in the corner on the screen. It reminded me of New Years, only you don't know if there is anything to celebrate. How come children must learn to compromise, and the people learning this country can't even do it? What has this world come to? I think I heard earlier on the news that the congressmen will be affected by the shutdown by losing there dry cleaning service, their dining hall privilages, and their gym privilages. REALLY? How what a shame, you can't use your dining hall, atleast you have food to eat. What about us families that are already stuggling, how are we suppose to feed our children? Oh what a shame, you can't use your free dry cleaning, we always had to pay for it, so grow up, atleast your still getting a check. Oh WHAT A SHAME... You can not use your gym. What does my husband always say? PT IS FREE. My husband jokingly said he is going to show up in front of the white house and tell them to come out, this is your gym. I must say, my husband and I sure know how to make a bad situation a little bit lighter.

If I happen to have more to right later, I am sure I will, I will be back blogger... oh I WILL be BACK.

xoxo - PROUD ARMY WIFE.

Oh Happy Day [phillies.bows.&.phillies bows!]

So.. When I woke up, judging by the first half hour, I swore my day was going to be yet another bad day. I found out a friend of mine, who I have known since atleast 3rd grade, passed away on Monday. It's now Friday, and all the services already were over by the time I found out. A few other minor things happened that kind of ticked me off, but I got over them.. no big deal.

I was a little.. moody. I heard a thump at the door, at wasn't sure what it was. Did somebody mail me a brick? It wasn't the mail yet, BUT .. it was a delivery! My best friend, (and also cousin-in-law) was talking to me about how her and her daughter (I call her my niece) Lorraine aka LaLa, will be walking in the breast cancer walk. Since I have recently been buying my girls custom hair bows, I decided I will buy LaLa a breast cancer awareness bow for her to wear for the walk! Well, That bow came today! HERE it is!

 Tell me that is not adorable!? I found this one on Etsy.com the link for the woman who makes them is http://www.etsy.com/shop/Luv2CraftDesigns. This is the only bow I ever bought from her, but I can't lie, it is beautful. I can't wait to get a picture of her wearing it!

The other package I got, I can't talk about, because it is a suprise for somebody that may read this. All I can say is.. It's going to awesome and I will try to remember to take pictures of the lucky person who is getting it. Hint- it's big, and edible. Haha

Another AWESOME thing I was notified about, is the girls Phillies bows were almost done! The very crafty Kendra over at Princesses And Punks Boutique (facebook to the shop) shared a picture of them with me! Here it is!

AND those are just pre-bling! She is going to add some extras to make them even more beautiful! She is an amazing military wife herself, with a beautiful little daughter that makes a perfect bow-model! The bow - news alone really brightened my day. But wait - There's more! I feel like I am on a game show!

Yup. Phillies tickets! ON my Birthday! Yippeeeeee!! I am excited! How perfect that my brithday is on a Friday too. I feel a heck of a lot better. =) I just wanted to post all my happy news while I am still cheery, ya know around here, something drastic could happen at the drop of a hat.

So, Rest in Peace Stephen Pastella, and also MyaRose Harris.

I hope everybody has an amazing day/weekend !

xoxo- Katie

Where's My Stinkin' Rainbow? [stuck in a storm]

You know how they say after the storm comes the rainbow? I would like the weatherman to please give me my forecast so I will have a round about idea when this storm will be over. I know, I am stressed because of everything going on. I can handle a light shower, I even actually enjoy dancing in the rain. Thunder is okay, but once the lightening comes.. and the storm doesn't look like it will end soon, it gets really frustrating. By the way, I am not actually talking about the weather for those of you who didn't catch on.

Gizelle, once again, pushy-shoving-not sharing day at school, as she has been having all week. I accidently caused Aubrey to get punched in the eye by the dog and she has a scratch on her eyelid. Gizelle has her stank-butt attitude turned all the way up. I let her play on nickjr.com games, and Aubrey wanted to sit on my lap and watch TV. Aubrey didn't reach for the computer, let alone even look at it. Gizelle tells me to put her somewhere else, she tries to cover up Blue on the Blues Clues dress up game. She's such a booger sometimes, lately it seems like more days then other.

This was all just an hour or two after Gizelle cam home from school. Gizelle picked a different game to play. When she plays on the computer, I always put it on mute. Mostly because she can't hear it anyway and I don't want the sounds to distract Aubrey, but also because I can hear, and I like to understand how difficult it is for her. Sometimes she asks for help on things that are so simple, games she has played 1000 times, and I just tell her she plays and I watch. She gets SO heated. I really want to get her behavior looked at. I really don't want some doctor to just push a perscription at me and tell me to shove drugs in my 4 year old.

I looked into couponing today. I really hate the sunday paper. I actually can't stand newpapers at all. The feel of them, the smell of them, how the kids and animals make a mess out of them. I really don't feel like paying, what is it, like $1.50 for a newspaper once a week just for coupons. I looked into it and acutally seen that Red Plum, and Smart Source (coupon providers for the paper) have websites that you can e-clip coupons and print them. I found websites that I can match up where to get the best deals, and match up what stores have what my coupon in for already on sale so on some occassions I can get things for free.

The main reason why I want to do this, is for when Shawn deploys. I want to send care packages as often as possible. Not just for him, but for everybody he is stationed with. I want to provide them with everything they need. Shawn doesn't doubt me that I can do this, and he says it's perfect for me, since I am such a mother hen sometimes. I like to look at this situation that way. I want to provide and take care of my little chick (yes, I called my husband a little chick) and all his nest-mates, until they are ready to fly. And by fly, I mean come the hell home and be back with there families, safely, not a scratch on them.

I sent Gizelle to bed without dinner. I feel bad doing it, but honestly, the kid is denying anything I make. If it doesn't come in a Papa John's square box, or it isn't what the princess requested, she doesn't want it. Sometimes she tells me she wants something (hotdogs today) and I make them, and she changes her mind. I cannot STAND being wasteful. Once again, I am at loss of communication to explain to her that they are children starving right now and she should be grateful. I can't tell her that Shawn works hard to provide for us, and that it's like a slap in the face so be wasteful like that. It drives me bananas. I told her, you eat, or go to bed. She marched herself, cinderella dress, heels, tiara, and all, upstairs. I told her I was mad at her, and I cooked that for her, and I was sad. I really wish there was an easier way to deal with her.

Am I doing it wrong? I don't think so. I mean, I could be. I keep telling myself, God gives you nothing you weren't built to handle. I still feel like God has a sense of humor and likes to full belly chuckle at me sometimes. Anywho, time to relax, with my chaotic house.. oops I mean, my darling family.

xoxo - Katie

Never Forget The Butterflies. [emotional.but.okay]

Well, yesterday did get better. We were all actually asleep by like 11:30. That never happens. This morning, was doomed from the start.

I remember Shawn leaping out of bed like a ninja. Then looking at the window and seeing sun. Oh no, he's late. Shawn literally had time to throw on his ACU's, run to the bathroom, then run out the door. Monty was so sad. Shawn always takes Monty out in the morning. Monty literally layed in front on the bedroom door with high hopes daddy was coming back for him. He heard the door close then he jumped on the bed and gave me the saddest most heart broken puppy face ever. Gizelle went off to school, the dogs were walked, Aubrey of course is like her momma and could sleep all day. She woke up around 10 am.

I actually ordered breakfast. Sad, I know. With Shawn working during the day, and me not driving, and me feeling so crappy lately, I haven't been the best food shopper.  Aubrey didn't mind! I was reminded that I need to stop up by brothers, which is always fun. I love my brother, and his wife, and my beautiful niece and nephews. Oh, and my dog-nephews too, Taz and Duke. Duke is actually Tessa's litter-mate, so it was very apropriate that my brother got the brother and I got the sister. That was actually the line I used to sucker Shawn into letting me get Tessa. Yea, I am a genius. Haha.

I text husband, to tell him we will need to make a pit stop later, and ask him about my tattoo idea. He informs me his grandfather passed away. Eek, bad timing about the the tattoo talk. His grandfather was a veteran. We actually talked about this a few weeks ago. Shawn was thinking about what his arrangements may be. Shawn is the type, that when he passes away (lalala dont wan't to think about it lalalala) he will want a service as military as possible. I told Shawn that if he feels that strongly, he should contact him grandmother, who I had the pleasure of meeting at her surprise 80th birthday party last year. I remember him telling me about the party. I thought "OH NO! You can't surprise an 80 year old!". Well, I learned that this woman is NOT your average 80 year old. She looks WAY younger then what she is. She plays the piano for her church, she is pretty amazing! I can only hope to look that great at that age.

Anywho, I told him to talk to her, to see what their wishes were. Maybe they didn't want a military style service? I know my grandfather, also a veteran, had a some-what military funeral. No guns or anything like that, they did have the color guard and the flag folding deal. He never got the chance to talk to them about it. I let him no today after hearing the news, he should talk to his grandmom now, more then before. Shawn has all the right contacts to get ahold of the right people for his services. I hope they are all okay.

On a lighter note, I did the Imagination Movers "jump up, get down" dance a total of 10 times in a row with these crazy girls. Gizelle wanted to either hold my hands and do it with me, or budge Aubrey out of the spotlight aka directly infront of the TV. There was a minor fight 7:10 dances. So far, today has been pretty chill. I am planning on cooking up some steak and rice, or potatoes maybe, for dinner.

OH And the Phillies will be tonight. I hope it isn't as bad as a game it was last night. It was funny last night. One minute, Aubrey is yelling LETS GO PHILLIES! The next, she is telling me she isn't a phillies fans. I jokingly told her she needs to move out.. her reply? She hits my leg and yells OHHH COME ON! She is the cutest thing. I love her, and her little catch phrases.

Also, on a not so lighter note (a heavier note?),  I got a email notification that MyaRose Harris' blog was updated. I was a little shocked. MyaRose, was a beautiful little girl that was close friends with Gizelle last year in her classroom. She had cancer. I will never forget the "Parent Playgroup Meeting" at her school where her teacher, Amber, informed us all that Mya has been in the hospital for a week. I just got chills again, the same chills as that day. I remember looking at Sam, (Sophies mom, another one of Gizelles good friends) and we both cried.

I remember, Sam and I talking privately after the meeting that we should get the girls together and talke them to the hospital to see her, siince all three girls were pretty tight. Amber came over and told us, it might not be a good idea, and Mya is in really bad shape. I think the next day, There was a knock at my door. I wasn't really expecting anyone. To my surprise, it was Amber. Amber, with tears flooding her eyes. I instantly bawled. You just kind of know, ya know? A few days after that, I seen the littlest casket I ever seen in my life. I cried as soon as I seen it. How couldn't you? Knowing there was a small child, a baby even, 2 years old in there. Friday will be a year since she passed away. This little girl has effected my life, more then anyone will ever understand. I still have a picture of Amber with Gizelle and MyaRose from PumpkinFest at PSD. I think I want to get a balloon, and let Gizelle draw a happy face or something on it, and tell her its for Mya. She still knows her sign name. She tells me she was sick.

 There was a very small get together at the school last year for her. The school got a butterfly bench in her memory. My family, and Sophie's family were the only families there, plus some staff. One of Mya's teachers told a story where a butterfly was flying around at recess the one day and she said something like "Mya, is that you?" and the butterly came back around. A few minutes later, Gizelle and Sophie, clueless as to why we were all there in the first place, were running around and playing, and a butterfly came and starting playing with them. It was beautiful. It was the rainbow after the storm. I will never forget that day.

In hopes that Today stays pretty mellow, I am going to go and start dinner and play with the girls and wait for my husband to come home. I have a feeling I am going to give him a pretty big hug. He deserves it.

xoxo - Katie

Heres the picture I was talking about.

Mommy and the terrible horrible no good very bad day [self explanitory]

I woke up today, and all I wanted was to be with my family. I wanted to cuddle up with the girls, and watch toy story 3, or beverly hills chihuahua. I wanted to hang out with Shawn and talk about whatever is on our minds. Of course, Gizelle was in school, Shawn was at work, and Aubrey was at Shawns mothers house. Bummer.

Not too long after I woke up, I had a killer stomach ache. I ended up with my blanket, curled up on the couch, watching random TV shows. Gizelle was home by 3, and her communication book said she had an okay today, minus some pushing and not sharing. Figures. She came in, and threw a fit because I didn't take her shoes off fast enough, didn't get her cup fast enough, and she tried to get her coat of and the zipper got stuck. She curled up under my blanket and watched Diego on netflix.

My mom pulled out a bag from the birthday party and forgot to put it back before she came home. Gizelle pulls out her polly pocket toys. Polly Pocket to me just means frustration. She loves to play with them, but the rubber clothes and little pieces, uggh. She can't just say Mommy I need help. I don't mean in english, I mean is ASL or anything. She refuses to ask for help. EVER. She thinks its easier to break out in a complete meltdown until somebody runs to her rescue. Frustration. Of course, one of Polly Pockets tiny black heels were missing, and that itself was no like, a 45 minute fight.

I told her she lost them, and if she didn't stop crying I would throw them in the trash. Which, of course, made things worse. She eventually got so upset she put them away. FINE. I thought maybe I could just let her pick something else to watch on netflix. She calmed down for a little bit. Then her princess purse, heels, and dress were missing. Another melt down. I asked her if she wanted some oodles of noodles. She told me no. I made myself a bowl, then she wanted some. Duhh, I knew I should have boiled more water. She ate it, then decided it was time to torture the dogs.

I got to hand it to the dogs. I have a 3 yr old pitbull/lab mix, and a 4 month old pittbull/american bulldog mix. Gizelle jumps on them. Beats them. Throws stuff at them. Kisses them. Bites them. It never ends. She loves them, but she just doesn't understand why I put her on time out when she bites them. The dogs have never even nipped at her. She usually favors Tessa (the 4 month old) to bite and pull her tail, but today she decided to bite Monty (the 3 yr old baby). I bit her back. Of course not hard. She got pissed off at me and tried to go to sleep.

She ended up sitting up and just screaming. I thought that I could give her back her Nitendo DS and she could play that. Oh wait, she lost her stylus or whatever the pen things are called, because she doesn't take care of her stuff. I tried to show her she can use the tip of her finger, but she wasn't getting it. Instead, she decides to get more mad, and try shutting her hand in her DS. I grabbed it off her, angry, because mommy has had enough of the Diva attitude today. I told her she's all done with her game, all done with her toys, all done with everything. I told her to stop throwing, stop biting, stop shoving, stop being mad. I told her she made me sad. Her reply is to shove as many fingers as she can in her mouth, and just make noises while crying her eyes out. I asked her to come sit next to me, like I usually do after I give her a little bit to think about what she did. She usually comes right over, I re-explain, and I make her apoligize and send her on her way to do whatever it is she wants to do. But no, today is just a rough day for the both of us I guess.

After she finally comes over, I hear "MOMMY!" I didn't even hear Shawn and Aubrey come in because I was so irritated. Now I have everybody I wanted to cuddle with and spend time with home, but now I just want to take a break. I'm not a big drinker, but this is one of those "I could really use a drink" moments. Now everytime Gizelle does anything and I just try to correct her, not even with a mean face, she gets really sad. I can't win. It's only 6:30, so I there is some hope that the day makes a turn around. Oh whoops, I haven't even put thought into dinner. I think it's so funny that when Shawn comes in the door, everybody is an angel. Tessa is sleeping in my lap, Gizelle is quietly happily playing (with her sisters new toys she walked in with, go figure), Aubrey is watching Bubble Guppies, and Monty is showing Daddy how much he missed him. And I still sit here a little bothered by how crappy the day has gone.

Maybe if things get better, I will make a short post (hahaha short post.. yea right) later. as of now my "smiley face" is this =[ and not this =) ..

xoxo Katie