How do i not do it?

So often I am asked the question "How do you do it? How do you handle having a child who can eat vitually nothing ( well potatoes) and who at anytime could have an allergic reaction that can send you to the ER. " I always find this a weird question, because really and truly I don't usually even think about it. My answer to them is "How do I not do it". How do I not love this little boy who has brought such joy to our lives, who has finished our fami;y so perfectly. When you love someone you will bend over backwards, you will go to pretty much any length to give them what they need, and so this is a no brainer to me.

The other day i had a talk with one of my oldest and dearest friends and the question came up. I My answer was that after 5 years of begging God for another child, I wasn't about to complain about the one he gave me. I'm not gonna lie, it is hard and it sucks to see my little boy wanting everything and not being able to have it, but he is healthy and happy most of the time so thats what matters.

Yesterday I had one of the scariest experiences of my life. Connor got a peanut butter cookie and started to eat it. We tried to get as much as we could out of his mouth, but I know he consumed some. Within about 15 min. he started to get Hives, and of course the one time I need his epi-pen in the last year it has expired! I kinda froze and couldn't think straight or I would have given him benadryl, so I grabbed him up and off to the ER we went. He was fine after they gave him Benadryl, but I was so freaked out, I still haven't stopped shaking. All of the What-if's went through my head, and it made me realize that all the precaustions I take to keep him safe are worth it. I will do anything for this little peanut simply because I love him. How can I not?

bittersweet

So last night was a really great night full of friends and games and good food. Unfortunatly in our lives we are constantly saying goodbye to people, and last night was no exception. It really sucks when you get close to someone and they have to move, and not just move but move across the country. I am feeling very sad at the prospect of one of my close friends moving away, and it is also a reminder that our lives are constantly in a state of unknow. Jim could get orders at any time and we would have to up and move. SCARY! I am a creature of habit. I like to eat the same things, go to the same places, and hang out with the same friends. As a military family we don't always have those options. When I moved here I thought it was the worst place in the world, and about as far as possible from Seattle as I could ever get, But I have truly grown to like the place, and more importantly love the people.
It isn't uncommon for young wives to pack up and go home to family when their husbands leave, and trust me I get tempted, but in reality this is the life I have chosen, and I need to embrace it. I need to stay where I have been put for this season of my life. I am kind of rambling but I have so much on my mind. I guess what I am really trying to say is I love you Friend and I will miss you.

Really??

Has it really been over a year since I have blogged?!? That is crazy to me, that means that it has been a year since Jim went on his last deployment, and now he is gone again. Crazy to think that he hasn't been home for the month of May or June in 2 years. We have had a crazy year full of ups and downs and twists and turns, but along the way we have made some great memories. We have made friends who have been there through thick and thin. And lost friends who we thought would be there forever. So this deployment I will do better! I will chronicle all of our adventures, because I think they are worth sharing. I hope that as I learn life lessons that you will learn along with me :) As I laugh at the crazy antics of my kids (trust me there are a lot) I hope that you also find something that makes you smile!

Disneyland and farewell

Over Christmas break we had the opportunity to spend 3 days at Disneyland. We had a great time spending time together and seeing all the beautiful sights. I have always wanted to go to Disney at Christmas time and I was not disapointed! We rode rides, ate good food, saw the parade and most importantly enjoyed some precious family time. As you know Jim is leaving soon and this was a much needed getaway for us. It was a good chance for us to connect before we are faced with months apart. Connor did great but by the time we came home he was exhausted, Colin had a great time, now that he is tall enough to ride everything with us!Jim leaves in a couple days and the boys and i will really be on our own, but I am not worried. I know that I can handle this time apart and we will come back together stronger for having been apart!

Legoland

A couple weeks ago we loaded up our van for a mini-vacation to Legoland. We arrived at our hotel around 6 pm and after getting settled in grabbed some dinner and watched a movie in the room. We woke up early the next morning to make the most out of our day. When we arrived at Legoland we were greeted by Legos everywhere, much to Colin's delight. We rode the rides, tasted the food and saw all of the sights. It was so much fun. Colin is really into Legos and loved every minute. We are really trying hard to spend a lot of time together as a family before Jim has to leave. Over the next few weeks we have a few more weekends away planned as well as some quality time at home with each other.

Welcome to our blog

I have decided to chronicle our adventures while we prepare for Jim to leave on his 1st deployment and while he is gone. I will of course not be giving specific info on where he is going or what he is doing, this will be about me and the boys and how we manage to live our lives for the next few months without Daddy. In preperation for Jim leaving we will be getting our family pics taken today. I am really excited to have out 1st family pics since Connor has come into our family. It is amazing how much our lives have changed over the last 2 years. We have left everything that was familiar and set out on this adventure. Over the last 2 year we have moved 2 times, has a baby, Colin has started school and we have been blessed to live in a neighborhood where we have made really good friends. I hope you enjoy our blog over the coming months.