Still here

2013 is almost over!?!? Say whaaaa? 

Where did the year go? 

Let's reminisce shall we?

This time last year I was freaking out that we were expecting, again! (What an amazing blessig that turned out to be.)

We have been at our 3rd duty station over a year now.

We've gone from an SUV to a van (still praying for contentment on that.) :-)

Our oldest started school.

Miss Lydia started walking with a walker!

Take that Spina Bifida.

Jake was facing medical retirement, and now that is subject to change.

I'm sure I could list more...

We are staying put in our home this year for the Holidays, and it feels G- double O D good. Part of me is saddened as i see the trucks,vans, and suv's leaving the neighborhood all packed up and off to visit family. Then I remember everything I don't have to do! And I just smile and sigh contently. 

We will my in-laws here on Christmas and that will be nice. 

Jake and I went back and forth with it a lot, finally agreeing that no matter what-we will always be in our home on Christmas. We will travel the day, at least while our children our young.

It's safe to say my shopping is done. And we are enjoying this Christmas season. Lots of baking this weekend and snuggles. 

We're going to be hit with some big thunder storms. Family games and movie time all while enjoying the smells of baking.

On a side note,while grocery shoppig it occured to me (AGAIN!) how lazy omus as Americans have come. In the cheese isle they now have pre packaged flavored   bread crumbs to bread your chicken,pork, etc in...seriously? You mean you canmt buy your own bread crumbs and put your own seasonings in? Can you day hello insane amounts o sodium and carbs? Then Hake pointed out 'hey they even have Jack Daniels pulled pork dinners' let's take a look at the nutritional info: holy 900 grams of Sodium. Hello heart attack. Why don't people cook any more? I mean really cook? If you don't have time-make it! I could give you 10 reasons why you should. :-)

 And what's up with baking with margarine? Yuck. That's such a no no! Does anyone watch cooking shows now a days or read on healthy cooking? I have learned over the years of how to cook more flavorfull food and more healthy....which does NOT include margarine. 

(Stepping down from my soap box, as I cradle my land-o-lakes not tub of country croc.). :-) 

I'm sure no one cares about my cooking rant.....but boy did that feel good to get out. 

The rants of a stay at home mom, excuse them. :)

No post is complete with out pictures of my offspring.

2 months

JJ (is what I'll call the lil man here in the blogging world) is 2 months tomorrow. Its been an enjoyable 2 months of tiny baby and lots of visitors. He is filling out and such a beautiful boy. I feel like he is a mox of everyone but when he gives me these serious looks ( which is most days) and even in his sleep he looks a lot like his Grandpa Gehl to me. :) Im still enjoying the blue's, oranges, red's, and green's that are in his clothes. The alligators and lions on his t-shirts. It hasnt gotten old. 

He grunts when he poops and farts (the girls didn't do that!) 

His smile is huge!

He wants to be on me 24/7, and by that I mean on the boob. His dad saysnit's to br expected, he is a male. I suppose that is one way to look at it. I night I give in to that but during the day it's a struggle between getting sister from school, mainting the house, apt's...etc...

JJ doesn't do much apart from sleeping and eating. His 'coo'ing is a lot more...at night he tends to try and 'talk' after a feeding while laying in his bassinet. 

Nap's in his crib during the day and co'sleeping at night. (Thankful for a King size bed.)

Isabelle has off the next 12 days and it would be so much fun to sneak back to Wisconsin. One of my closest friends had her 3rd daughter 2 weeks before JJ.  

So instead we plan on doing some fall fun activities with girls and lots of relaxing. Every day is something, running, school, dr apt's, play dates/park time. The usual, but it's alot to get out the door looking half way decent and to be on time which is why over the next 12 days we will take our time and go when mom wants to go, not when we have to go.

Last weeked was Oktoberfest. The girls enjoyed fun free activities which included face painting and bouncy houses. The kids all got to take home a free pumpkin as well. 

The down side of summer ending is the farmers market coming to end this month. So I have been freezing my beans and corn. Caught a picture of the girls shelling black eyed peas. Yes, Isabelle's one eyed smirk was intentional :). 

Last weekend we went to the third annual butterfly festival where we were able to see the release of 1000 butterflies. It was really neat. And true to form Isabelle had a break downfull of tears because she couldn't catch a monarch and make a wish. It was quite comical.  

This morning the girls made goofy monsters for the front windows in the spirit of halloween. 

Lydia is using the potty more and more. 

Will be having an important convo with urology at her next Spina Bifida clinic day. 

Have a great Thursday. 

 

Jesse James' Room

Well with the exception of a rug, I think we can say I have finished his room! 

The choo choo train was Jake's as a baby and now lil guy has it, really cool. The frame has Jake's and JJ's hand prints in them, the blocks and antique peanut butter jar are courtesy of MIL who was keeping an eye out at flea markets. And she found them. :) thank you! 

Still looking to get a picture(s) of JJ's great grandfather, grandpa, and jake as young boys... Thought that would look neat in a photo collage. 

Happy Sunday! 

Never ending vacation...

Well the heat has picked up again and I do love me some hot weather but am beginning to crave the cool mornings and later sunrise. The smell of pumpkin candles and apple cider. The hubby's vaca time is nearing an end, the man bas been of since end of July! We can safely say that now, 5 weeks after having baby we can begin a real routine! We had some what of a routine down for the last 3 weeks but we've also had family come to visit the last 3 weekends which does throw thing off, all for the good though! We've so enjoyed our visitors, parents and siblings. Not to mention the much needed hugs and spoiling of our children.  With that it is good to now be back to our 'normal'. 

Jacob has his Harley home and is out on a cruz with a friend while I am catching up on the never ending laundry demon. :) between visitors, dirty play clothes, swim suits, and a baby the laundry room has become my second home. Not by choice...Ive been day dreaming about front loaders. Ha! 

Slowly but surely getting into running. 2 jogs last week and a few long walks. Now to incorporate weight training.       

Jesse James shall be nicknamed JJ here on the ole' blog(just easier.) He is growing like a weed, plumping up and looking more like his daddy and grandpa daily. I sometimes refer to him as Jim(which his granddaddy) because the looks I get look so much like him! So diff than my girls, enjoying all this 'boy!' 

Looking forward to a trip to the zoo soon in Nashville. The grand ole opry as well. Ventured out there this last weekend and enjoyed  a neat lunch at an aquarium resteraunt. 

Praying these days to see if homeschooling will be the right choice for our girls and family. It is definitely something we are praying about due to poor public schooling and being a military family moving more often than the norm and the random vacation times Jacob gets. Reading a lot into the diff programs and curriculums that are available. 

That's all for now. Thanks Aunty Sara for a visit-love ya! 

1 month

Its been too long since I last wrote..our baby boy Jesse James is 1 month! Where does the time go? Our oldest is in prek and we are starting to find our grove again. We've had a whirl wind of visitors...and soon all will be back to normal.

These days I am enjoying my time with this nugget and his big sister :). 

Happy Thursday! 

 

Leave it to Dad :)

Well my dad has done it again....I have the blessing of having a father who loves the Lord! He is not the handiest of dad's and we had a lot of tough love growing up; but growing up one thing was for certain and still is. God is ALWAYS number one. I can not say enough how amazing it is to have that example and that love of God always shining through my dad. When I am at my wits end, heartbroken, scared, or confused it is my dad I can count on to pray over me (us),my family, situation, you name it. 

I don't get 'well that's life' or 'just my luck' type talks. I don't have to hear those negative comments. I get good ole let's go to the Lord in prayer type talkin' and boy is it good for the soul!!!! 

So with all that bible thumping talk I'm going to get a little more real and share with whomever reads these ramblings of mine. 

My husband is suffering from sleepless nights due to a short deployment he just returned from.The medicine's prescribed to him due to back pain and some anxiety mixed with PTSD aren't mixing well and he is waking up in the wee hours of the morning not being able to sleep. 

I confided in my dad and asked him to pray! What I got back was an email from my dad to Jake and I that once again had me teary eyed and so humbled. So often people will say 'I'm praying for you' or 'keep your head up' things along those lines but there are never any REAL convos about it, it ends there. Or the talk is so factual...What are we so afraid of??? Why can't we talk and believe in that God's got this and he is going to take care of it!

I  have to call my dad tonight and let  know how much Jake and I appreciate and soak up his words. How we know there is action behind words when he says Ill be praying for you. 

We're still learning to be Christians and to love the Lord with all our hearts and what that means-and this email speaks volumes of that.

Some people will read this and think it's a lot of mumbo jumbo and I am sure think negative of it. However to us its beautiful. 

Here is my daddy's email.

    Hello Jacob,

Welcome home mighty warrior. Jake, Hannah asked me to pray for you. Sleepless nights,

waking up @ 1;30 / 2:30 in the morning. I was praying for you this afternoon, while grilling out. after placing the lid on the grill. I would sit n pray. The Lord began to quicken my mind of scriptures to share with you. This is what I believe the Lord wants me to speak to you.

First your Heavenly Father, God loves you. You are his beloved,one of His sons, in whom He is well pleased. Read Psm. 108: 4-6. He also wants you to know "he gives His beloved sleep". See

Psm. 127: 2. Second He holds you in the palm of his hand, He gives angels charge/to watch over you. He wants you to know... " He will not leave you comfortless, I will come  to you.."

See St. John 14: 14-18. Jesus wants you to have,know, an feel His peace. There is nothing to be afraid of. See St. John 14:26-27. The peace of God see Philippians 4: 6-8 an also  

Colossians 3:15. Lastly  Father God wants you to know He is with you where ever you go.

  We are praying for you. Sometimes our enemy the devil comes to afflict us. He is a thief, a robber, an accuser of the brethren. Always looking for those he can devour or entrap.

Yet Jesus has given to us all authority an power, over All the power of the devil. So Jacob if you awake in the night, if its hard to go back to sleep. If you wanna go for a run/jog then do so. I want to encourage you , to pray, to read your bible during restless nights.You can

pray while your jogging around. Pray in your mind, out loud if you like. Take authority over the devil/any evil or dark spirits. Bind him up,cast him out, command him to go in Jesus name.

It works, trust me on this. You believe Jesus, believe Jesus will do this for you.Pray for Hannah, the girls, the little one in Hannah's womb. Pray for your mom an dad,  your family. Speak blessings over them. Pray for God's protection, His favor. Whatever comes to your heart and your mind.

Remember the Holy Spirit will speak to your heart, He will bring things to your mind while your praying. He can reveal thoughts and show you things in your heart an mind.He Is so cool and awesome.

God bless you Jake, all our love  

 Chuck an Olivia

PS.  God with you where ever you go. See Joshua 1:9

Closet turned baby nook

Can I call it that? Jake moved out of the other side of my closet in the spring to make room for baby and between his and my things it was overflowing. Don't worry,He has an even bigger closet all to himself. :) So I threw together this little nook....there are some minor things to add yet and a load in the dryer of clothes and clothe diapers that need to be folded , otherwise I am done! When Jake gets home I'll make curtains for the baby's bedroom and a sheet for the bassinet. 

Check list is made

My man is coming home!!!! Its crunch time. (Isabelle was goofing off with daddy's hat she was so excited!) 

I feel like I have  a million things I need to do so I made a list of things that NEED to get done and WANT to get done. The biggest challenge is making sure the house is spotless, which is so silly seeing as Jake won't care about that...but it does to me. I'm half way through creating a little nook for baby in my closet. Took the doors off and spray painted the changing table I will be using as a dresser. It sounds funny but once completed I will share a picture. 

I sent a mass text out to family and close friends 2 days ago about keeping Jake in our prayers that this last bit of base hopping he has to do to get to actually flying goes quickly and bam...prayers answered! 48 hours later I am getting a phone call from uncle Sam letting me know my Soldier will be home in less than a week. God is so good, ALL the time ya'll!!! 

These girls are a riot! If we have another girl we are gonna have 3 crazy ladies on our hands. :)

   

Change, is creeping in!

So much in our routine is about to change! I can feel it slipping away....we'll have Jake home, a little baby in the mix, one child in school, Jake's Harley will be back, and we'll be down to one vehicle. Nothing life changing, well except another child...but none the less Change. :)

Jake is on his way to another base and once there will officially be half through his base hopping! This morning was the most  emotional I have been since the hubs left. I can't go into the deets but lets just say I am going to ball like a baby when I see my  husband's 'boots on the ground.' And God 's grace knows no end!!!!!

Moving on, I have officially hit 9 months. The baby is making sleeping a thing of the past and my contractions are painful. The last few days have been very uncomfortable and at times painful. Just taking it day by day. My guess is another 2 weeks of this before anything were to happen. It will all be worth it in the end and just a memory. 

Lydia is teething an I'll be purchasing an amber teething necklace this week-we'll see if there's any truth to this amber soothing necklace trend. 

Happy Monday! 

  

Good to be home

We made it home safe and sound yesterday afternoon from Wisconsin. Mentally it feels so so good. The girls are so happy and all is well. Jake and I are so thankful that my aunt and her two kids(teenagers) were able to help us and ride with us back to Fort Campbell. 

We enjoyed our vacation at home an our happy to be back in our routine. 

I got the test phone call from our FRG making sure I am Hannah and they had the correct phone number for my Soldiers return from Afghanistan. Its only a matter of time now before theofficial phone   call with the flight date/time comes in. I just cried when I hung up the phone. Such a sigh of relief and gratefulness knowing we have made it this far and my husband will be home soon. We need him and he needs us! 

Here are a few pics from the drive back.  

Sleep, where art thou?

Gracious me, awake till 1 am and up at 5:40 am. Feeling every bit of this baby! The last month has HIT. Of course Isabelle was already out of bed. 2 nights and we'll be back in a routine. You would think shes in bed early, last night she didn't fall asleep till almost 9. Vacation is great but everyone knows the feeling of wanting in my case needing, to be home. :)

 I'm missing Jake more than words can describe. God has blessed me with such a good man and when he's gone it sucks. This morning simply through an email I am blessed by the words my husband has written me. Even through a deployment there's always a good! This short tour has really opened up the lines of communication between Jake and I. He has shared so much of himself, work, and I can't help but love him more. I know a lot of women that have to pull teeth to get emotions and conversation from their spouses. Even though miles away I can still be open and share right back with him. This deployment has been different but luckily not too stressful. Another silver lining!   

I don't have to be strong and put on a front, or hold off on sharing 'what's really going on.' And as a dad and husband it's been great for Jake to know he's helping and still participating in our lives. 

Well the girls and I are off to start packing-say some goodbyes. 

TGIF!

(34.6 weeks. Big sister and possibly little sister!?!?)

Nearing the end

The girls and I have been on vacation in Wisconsin for the last week and a half. We head back home early next week. It has been relaxing with hardly a thing planned to do. As always Isabelle and a few times Lydia are up at the crack down. Isabelle has always been a morning riser, starting her days by 6:30. Lydia would sleep till 7ish but with big sister out and about she doest always get the chance. Now put being at grandma and grandpa's house...well all that excitement cant be contained so its 5:30 and rearing to go. Not much you can do, I'm working with her and the number 6 on the clock. So that Isabelle stays in he bed or room till at least 6. None the less it is tough, with out Dad here its Isabelle against the mom and all my 'rules'. I do feel like the bad always saying no more juice and no more snacks, your up to early...yada yada. Mommy is ready to get the girls back in a routine especially during my last month of pregnancy. 

Before we left for Wisconsin Isabelle had her dance recital. Unfortunately she got sick. She tossed her cookies the morning of and was in and out of a fever. She was able to be in the opening act, ballet, and tumbling, but her fever had started up  again and I could not make her do her tap routine. It was so sad to see her so feverish and there was nothing I could do. Grandma's arms was where she wanted to be and I couldn't be more thankful for her being there. With out her or my sister law n there's no way I would have been able to handle that situation. 

I am so glad dance is over and am not sure how soon I wan to sign her up for the next round, it will be a while. 

Im feeling every bit of being pregnant. And am counting the days till the hubby's return so we can meet our third blessing.

My rambling...

Saw a very pregnant women walking into the on post library puffing away on a cig. Hurt my heart.

Lydia still wakes up by 6:15-30 and sounds like a hillbilly yelling "MAA" till I get her. (FYI. She is in a day bed so she COULD crawl out. Does she? NOPE)

The last few days I have been feeling pregnant , not to mention lots of elbows and knees. I get it my little one, you are in there! :)

I've been nesting like a crazy women. Rearranged the bedroom last week. At one point sitting on the floor pushing my bed with my feet so I wouldn't strain my back.

My floor and keeping it clean has all of a sudden become the most important chore. Make it stop!

Lydia is going #1 and 2 on the potty! She tells me when she has to go, she is really growing!

I hate the thought of buying a van.

Had a dream we were having a boy, and it wasn't same weird pregnancy dream where I give birth and the baby is a doll.(which seems to happen a lot.)

I've decided on painting the baby's crib/changing table grey, accessorizing with yellow. Adding blue for a boy pink for girl....down the road.

I'm longing to run. My body just aches to lace up and sweat....4 months till that comes.

I miss my hubby-Isabelle comments every day at some point or another (normally before bed) that she wants daddy home. It's a challenge always repeating the same thing. Telling her she doesn't need to be sad, pray to God and tell him how you feel, only 2 more months, yada yada.

Oh and I had to fart at the store the other day and could NOT hold it. Yep, that totally happened. I don't know if the women a few feet from me heard it. The joys of pregnancy....not! I high tailed it out of that isle ASAP.

Trucking along

We are slowly but surely headed towards summer. 3 weeks into our man of the house being gone. Isabelle is really showing the effects of dad being gone. What attitude she has always had has turned up to 100 degrees and its hard. I'm the yeller in the marriage; Jake bless his heart is the quiet one. However since he has left I have made it a priority to quiet myself. Heaven knows the girls don't need a stressed out momma. So I am constantly taking my time when we head out the door for errands, play time, appointments, etc...
I have also found myself having to spend one on one time with each girl. It's amazing how the dynamic changes in the house when you go from a team of mom and dad to flying solo. Lydia seems to do well when I spend one on one with her before bed time and Isabelle wants my attention 24/7. I can see how much she misses her dad so I have had to step my game up. She's thrown some wild tantrums and has even hurt other kids. It's hard dealing with those situations, Isabelle has always played well with others her age and to hear her teachers tell me how she is acting out and other things really hurts my heart. So we're dealing with that...she'll get over this faze, and hopefully sooner than later.
We have 5 weeks till my MIL and SIL come down to visit and see Isabelle at her dance recital. We are looking forward to family coming and something different in our day to day.
Over the next couple of weeks my goals are to branch out and do more spring like activities. There's a farm on our list of things to do we'd like to visit, feed the animals, etc...there's a strawberry patch I'd like to take the girls too. As well as different parks around our city. We're also going to check out Nashville's Zoo in the next 2 weeks.
Spring here is just beautiful-were outside all the time and its lovely. Yesterday we rummaged all morning and the girls found a lot of 'new' toys. We followed it up with a McDonalds breakfast.

Have a great week!

Had to throw in a pic of daddy and his girls. :)

2 weeks in

And we are in a routine. The girls and I really are enjoying our time together. Jake said something yesterday, he commented on how lucky I am to have our girls with me daily. He's so right! As mothers stay at home or not we can easily get frustrated when our kids are constantly asking questions and "mom mom" is always being yelled, etc... It made me check myself and once again appreciate my time with them. I've made it my goal to thoroughly enjoy this spring and part of summer with these 2 pretty chicks before baby arrives. Last night we had some serious thunderstorms which included a few tornado warnings. The plus side to that? Being in bed at 8 pm with my 21 months old arms wrapped tightly around my neck, my fave snuggled in her chest. And as my arms were around her my 4 year olds hand was in mine. We fell asleep to the booming of thunder and the flashing lightning. It was bliss.
Yesterday was marathon day in Nashville. I was supposed to be running my first half. Womp womp, that has been put on hold till next spring, thank you baby:). I had about a half dozen women I know running it yesterday and one doing the full. They all finished, it was so cool to see status updates pooping up on fb of them finishing! Their run was done in the pouring rain, some waiting a couple of hours just to start the race.
Lydia has got quite a scrape on her right foot. Until it fully heals she can't wear her afo's or shoes on that foot, no aquatics for her either. These things are bound to happen, SB or not. It just effects her a little differently when they do. Through fb I met another SB mom who's son is just 2 months younger than Lydia. She is a Christian and has introduced me to a couple of pages for Spina Bifida children that are Christian based. The posts and questions are so much more positive and uplifting than the other groups I have scene. I'm so encouraged to be open to this kind of reaction and parenting, story sharing, updates, etc...these groups are private and not as public so no wonder I hadn't found them before.
Spring is in full force here, more and more I am loving this area where are in. I find myself picturing a life for Jake and I even after the Army(whenever that will be!) I find myself day dreaming about buying a home somewhere near Fort Campbell and what kind of sports group to get the girls involved in. This are is such a prime location for traveling to the east coast or back home to the Midwest. The weather is never too extreme and let's not forget its the south. If its one thing Jake and I agree in its that we do love the South. From southern cooking, BBQ sauce, cowboy boots and country music...this next year 2014 will be a big year as far decision making for our family. We will be deciding if Jake will stay in and retire with the Army or if getting out and possibly moving back to Wisconsin is the right decision. I think him and I both understand too that if he stays in we most likely will never move back to Wisconsin. Because seriously, who moves to a cold state after 40? Normally. Your looking at a winter home in Florida! Ha kind if funny hey?
Well my Lydia wants a book or 5 read to her. Then it's off to get ready for church!


Enjoy your Sunday!