Video from Santa!

I made this video for Landon. He was so cute watching it! I have to admit it made me a little teary seeing him so amazed that Santa knew everything.

Click HERE to watch the video I made for him! Then make your own!

Book Club Vote!

It's been a little while. I hope everyone got the breather they needed. We're going to start again with a Vote and start a new book next week! If you haven't read with us before but you want to join in, please do!(and feel free to checl the BBC Rules at the top of my blog!) The more people the better! I haven't gotten any recommendations so I'm going to pick a few random books. This time I think I'm going to do books that are the start of a series. After we can choose to read the next one or move on!

Please leave me a comment on the book you want to read most. If you would like to give me your top two you can do that also...or you can even tell me which book you DO NOT want to read. lol. Even if you're new to the BBC we want your input! Click the names above each picture to be taken to Barnes and noble to read about it, read reviews and what-not.

The first book.

#1 Navy Wife.

Falling for a man in uniform can be hard . . .

New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber weaves emotional tales of love and longing. Here is the first of her celebrated NAVY series!  Impulsive, wounded, vulnerable, Lindy Kyle was unprepared for a roommate like Rush Callaghan. Strong, sensitive and sexy, the temporarily dry-docked naval officer was everything she'd ever dreamed of in a man . . . in a husband.  But Rush placed duty to his country above all else. Though he and Lindy were swept away on a tide of passion, he was called back to sea. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder — but will their marriage survive their partings?

#2 The Hunger Games

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.

#3 Eragon

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands....

#4 Vampire Academy

St. Vladimir's Academy isn't just any boarding school—it's a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They've been on the run, but now they're being dragged back to St. Vladimir's—the very place where they're most in danger. . . .Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy's ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world's fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

Vote! I will let votes come in for a few days then I will post about when we start and all that!

Deployment recap: Week 28!!

Week 28:


Emotional: Anxious. I'm ready for him to be home!

Physical: Because I'm so anxious I'm sick to my stomach quite often. I need to calm down and everything will be fine.

Communication: Phone calls! We got to talk a few times but I'm done with the phone stuff. It gets hard when everyone is trying to call home and the phones get bogged down.

What's something fun you did this week: We went to the base tree lighting. It was so much fun to go and see all the beautiful lights. I'm so excited for Christmas to be here!

What are you looking forward to next week: Going to see HP! J saw it in Greece without me so no reason for me not to see it now!

What made you happy this week: Re-registering my car. Haha. It's the little things I'm clueless about that make me proud when I can get them done when my husband is deployed. It was a good moment.

What made you sad/mad this week: Liars and cheaters. I just don't get it.

What do you miss this week: Justin being with us when we go to the fun holiday things. I know he wants to be here with us just as bad as we do.

How's Landon this week: Good! He's doing well in school and has been great at home.

Pictures from this week:

Landon's cookie at the base tree lighting today. Hehehe.

Landon and I walking around looking at the lights.

My CRAZY kid in his crazy hat!

Christmas Crafts! Advent Calendar!!

I love making Landon a advent calendar each year.(We also buy him a playmobil advent calendar each year.) It's been something fun we've done and I think I'm going to keep doing it until he's too old to care. Ha. Last year I made THIS ONE but this year I wanted to do something a little different.

You will need:

Different colors of green paper(I had 5 different colors/textures)

Tissue paper(You don't NEED this but it's what I used)

Scissors

Glue(I used hot glue because it was faster)

Optional:

Different color paper for numbers/ornaments

Tape to help hold things in

Round objects to help you make exact circles(I had 4 different sized objects)

Trace object and cut out circles.

Cut each circle in half.

Roll each half into cones by "connecting" each "flat" end. You have to roll it a bit tight to get it to stand straight without dipping in the middle. I hot glues the whole side down then put a dot in the inside to let the flap hold better.

I cut out little red circles for the numbers but you could just write it on the trees if you wanted. I also ended up using a yellow star for the 24th. I used one hot glue dot to keep the circles on.

I cut the tissue in little squares and wrote everything on my scrap paper to put inside.

I rolled the advent paper and stuck it in the top of the cone then packed the tissue in there to hold it.

I used a hole-punch to make ornaments for the 24th then used hot glue to put them on.

Landon's Advent Forest! He loves it! So much more than last years.

Somethings we have in our advent calendar:

Mini Christmas tree for Little's room

Ornaments for little tree

Christmas movies

Little toys/gifts (checkers, nutcracker, cocoa, chocolate spoon)

Activities(go to movies, have movie night, go to lunch, make Christmas crafts, make decorations, make Santa cookies...ect)

Deployment Recap: Week 27!!!!!!!!!!

Week 27:


Emotional: Weepy. Lol. As hard as I try everything is making me cry.

Physical: I feel like I'm still a little sick from my sinus infection and I wish it would go away.

Communication: A few emails and PHONE CALLS! I love talking to him....but ports are bitter-sweet.

What's something fun you did this week: Took Landon to a few movies. On Thanksgiving Landon, Casey and I all went to Cracker Barrel. It's a tradition we do when the boys are gone and we had so much fun, after we went and saw Tangled which was the CUTEST movie I've seen in a while!

What are you looking forward to next week: Nothing! lol. I'm looking forward to having no plans!

What made you happy this week: My husband made First Class(E-6) after being in the Navy for almost 5 years. I'm so proud of him! He works really hard and studied long and hard for the test. I'm glad his hard work paid off!

What made you sad/mad this week: People who can't just be happy for other people. Everything is a competition.......it's sad.

What do you miss this week: Help figuring things out when I'm stressed and don't understand

How's Landon this week: He's doing really good. We had quite a few down days and we had so much fun painting and stamping together!

Pictures from this week:

Picture Lan painted me while we were having fun together during the holiday break!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's a short list of the things I'm thankful for

My husband and his love for me and our little family.
The military and job security.
My little boy who lights up my life every day.
My family back home who always makes me feel special.
My friends here that love me like family.
God and his love.
Faith and how it's lead me through everything.

I'm thankful for food in my mouth and a roof over my head and the fact that I sleep safe at night.

Give thanks!

on a funny side note......Landon and I are going to dinner with a friend tonight(tradition when one of the boys is gone) so this morning we are eating turkey(deli meat) sandwiches, instant mashed potatoes with jar gravy and drinking cranberry sierra mist! lol PERFECT!

Oh Target. I love thee! (crafty post)

Target it my poison. I can't seem to get out of there without spending $100. No joke.

I always like to check the "Dollar Spot" section. You can find some of the best things there! This year the Christmas stuff was not lacking(in my mind at least!).

I picked up a few of these and they are SUPER easy!

You will need:

Set of 16 ornaments(they have different colors for whatever color combo you want) $1

Tinsel wreath(they have a few different colors. I liked green and the silver the best) $2.50

Hot glue gun

I arranged them before I started gluing. It made it so much easier! I had about 4 ornaments left over from each batch I did.

Glue them down really well to make sure they stay.

This is one of the silver ones I did.

For $3.50 you can have an easy Christmas wreath!

Finishes and on the wall! (that HoHoHo was also in the 2.50 section!)

Deployment Recap: Week 26!

Week 26:


Emotional: Good. Busy. Lol. Story of my life.

Physical: Doing good. The aquarium has made my feet hurt a little since I don't sit down at all on the days I'm there. Besides that, I feel great!

Communication: A few really sweet emails. He always knows exactly what to say.

What's something fun you did this week: My neighbor and I went to this local cider mill and got some goodies today! I love going there! Their hot cider is the best!

What are you looking forward to next week: Casey and I (and little)are going to cracker barrel on Thanksgiving. lol. it's a tradition for when one of our husbands is deployed.

What made you happy this week: Talking to my Father-in-Law. We talk once a month/once every other month. He always tells me how proud he is of me and I feel I can tell him whats going on in my life. He always has the best advice. He knew exactly what I needed to hear and because of that I changed a few things and I feel great about it!

What made you sad/mad this week: Nothing really.

What do you miss this week: Lazy days with J.

How's Landon this week: Great! He loves going to the youth center when I go to the Aquarium and I love that he likes it!

Pictures from this week:

Landon and I finished decorating this week.

This is one of my favorite ornaments on our tree. Justin gave it to me the year he proposed.

I randomly see pictures of the guys that the boys put up. I love finding random ones with my hubby in them! (this was at their last port they were in a few weeks ago)

I've been holding out!

This summer I took an amazing trip to Forks, WA. If you missed it go HERE to read about it!

While we were there, we stayed in the "Cullen House". It was a beautiful B&B there in Forks and we had the most amazing time. I recommend staying there if you ever go.

In my post I told you to remember this picture. It was taken standing right outside our room at the B&B.

Did you wonder why I told you to remember it? Well, while we were there we got to see The Hillywood Show shooting their new parody for Eclipse! They just happened to be filming while we were there and they were using the same spot I'm standing in in the picture!

Since they were using the window to our room, we couldn't go inside and turn our lights on(and sitting in the dark is no fun) so they let us watch! They asked that I please not share any of the information until the video came out since they like the music to be a surprise and we were sitting there listening to them. I also got to meet their mom & dad who are two of the nicest people I've ever met.

Here is their latest video! The part in front of the window is at 7:30.

They were so nice and even came over and talked for a bit before they had to go. The videos and everything are done by the two sisters. One acts in everything while the other one is the one who is filming and edits it all!

It was so fun getting to watch them film and I'm glad we just happened to be there at the right time!

If you haven't seen their videos, go watch them. They're amazing!

Only took two days.

I've been so busy this past week, well, few months really. I thought once Little was in school full time I would have all this free time to myself. Wrong. I'm busy. Most of it is by choice but I'm busy none-the-less. I've really been enjoying my time at the Aquarium. I never thought I would be able to do so much there. It's an experience I will never forget.

Here's a little-mini run down of my day with the Penguins:

I start at 7:30

1. I help clean the main rooms where they stay if it's cold out.
2. Wash down walls and doors.
3. Walk down to get 20-30 lbs bucket of fish.
4. Prep fish(Check to make sure they are good)
5. Sit outside on exhibit to log feed.
6. Spraydown exhibit.
7. Clean fish prep area.
8. Take bucket down and sort unused fish and clean bucket.
9. Break at 10:00.
10. Come back and clean or move things that need to be moved.
11. Lunch at 12:00.
12. Get fish to take back for 2nd feed.
13. Prep fish.
14. Assist log with feed.
15. Spray exhibit.
16. Clean fish-prep area.
17. Go clean 2nd bucket and sort the fish.
18. Read anything that needs and work on my checklist.
19. Bring everything inside that needs to come in
20. Make sure weather is good for penguins to stay out.
21. Go home at 4:00!

I'm busy all day and only sit down at lunch time. But, I love it! It's so much fun. I already have a favorite and she let me pet her yesterday. One has sworn me as his enemy and lets me know every time I walk by. lol. They had warned me that I would get bit at some point and on day two, I did. Thank goodness I saw it coming and pulled my hand away so it didn't hurt. But he got me.

This is a picture of my favorite penguin. She's the sweetest!

So once a week I'm at the Aquarium. Landon has been going to the youth center before and after school on the days that I have to go and he loves it. It gives him time to play and hang out with his friends and I no longer feel guilty for doing something for me.

Besides that I've been helping on committees for the boat, helping once a week in Littles class and our house is all decorated for Christmas! Yes, you read that right. Christmas! I will try to update more once I get the hang of all of this. I have some great recipes and craft that I have to post! I've also been reading some great books I want to tell everyone about!

Deployment Recap: Week 25!

Week 25:

Emotional: Good. I had a busy week, but I'm doing good!

Physical: Tired! Once again, I had a BUSY week. I've lost 12 lbs since I got home from WA so that makes me happy!

Communication: Hubby was in port for a few days. While I woke up to snow this week, he's sunburned from laying on the hot beach! lol. It was great talking to him and I'm so excited for him to come home.

What's something fun you did this week: I started at the Aquarium(I have a post I need to put up about my first day)! It was soooo much fun and I love getting to help with everything!

What are you looking forward to next week: Going back to the Aquarium. lol. Besides that, I don't have much planned!

What made you happy this week: More time with Landon. He had a birthday party for a friend at school last weekend and it was so fun seeing him with friends that HE made by himself. hahaha. I'm so used to him just being friends with my friends kids. We also went to BINGO night at his school this week. They are starting to do family nights and we had a blast. Landon even won! He was so proud!

What made you sad/mad this week: Not much. The only thing  is J not being here for Landon's school stuff. I know he would love to be there with us.

What do you miss this week: Laying in bed on the weekends listening to J and Lan talking downstairs. They have a Saturday morning "Daddy & Lan" time. I miss watching them together.

How's Landon this week: He's doing good. Me having to leave him in the mornings has thrown him off a little. He was really sad and I hated it. But I think he's going to be ok with it.

Pictures from this week:

Mini-golf at the birthday party! He had so much fun!

Making pizzas for dinner!

I've started making Christmas crafts! Yay!

Land of the free.

I'm so proud of my husband and what he does. I remember daily that he is fighting for me. He is fighting for our son. He is making sure we live in a world that may not be perfect, but we are still free.

He is out there right now serving our country and I thank god everyday for him.

Thank you to all of the past and present military members. Without you, our lives would be unknown.

Happy Veterans day.

SNOW!

That's right. We are getting our first snow of the year right now....and schools have a 90 min delay! More sleep for me!

Deployment Recap: Week 24! WOW!

Week 24: (I can't believe we are at week 24!)


Emotional: Good. I took a "mental health" week. I had nothing planed and it was great!

Physical: Better! I'm not quite 100% over being sick but I feel so much better. I've been loosing at least a pound a week since I got back from WA!

Communication: Surprise phone call from Dubai on Halloween! It was great to get a call. They were only in for a day, but any call is amazing!

What's something fun you did this week: All the Halloween stuff around here. We went to a base Halloween thing and went to the mystic village for trick-or-treating! We had a great time.

What are you looking forward to next week: I have orientation for the Aquarium tomorrow and I start Volunteering on Tuesday!

What made you happy this week:  Having a day where Landon and I could do what we wanted and not have anything set in stone. I love going out just the two of us for special mommy/little time.

What made you sad/mad this week: Home drama. Nothing I'm in, just watching people make bad life decisions makes me sad.

What do you miss this week: Snogging.

How's Landon this week: Great. He's doing really well in school and is about over being sick!

Pictures from this week:

An old friend from High School found some old pictures and sent this one to me. I think we were 16 at the time and going to Tolo, I think I'm pinning his flower back on after it fell off. I love him so much and I always have.

Landon's pumpkin he carved at the base Halloween Happenings.

My little werewolf trick-or-treating.

Spirit Week & Halloween party!

Landon loves school. I honestly think choosing to take the full day spot was one of the best things we have done. He's learning so much and because he's there all day he's made some great friends and gotten to do some amazing things.

Last week at school it was spirit week. Landon thought it was so much fun getting to do something different everyday.

Monday was pajama day! We almost forgot and I was so glad his warm ones were clean!(it was a little bit of a bad mommy moment. But it could have been worse). He thought it was so great that he got to wear PJ's to school.

Tuesday was crazy hair day. He doesn't have much hair to do anything with, but he liked that I put stuff in it to make it stand up.

Close up.

Wednesday was crazy hat day! We don't really have crazy ones, but his snow hat worked just fine!

He did tell me that it wasn't crazy enough. Next year it wants it "SUPER CRAZY!" haha.

Thursday was backwards day. Didn't take a picture.......

Then Friday was orange & black day, but if they wanted to they could bring their costumes to wear for their class party.

I went in early to help with the party. I helped get it all set up and ended up staying the rest of the day to help. The kids made crafts and played a few games. They even went on a "parade" around the school to show off their costumes. It was so cute to see them all dressed up.

Werewolf Landon playing bingo at the party.

Making a popcorn hand.

He loved it! We will be making these next year for sure!

Pasta necklace.

I had a great time getting to be there with him. I've also gotten to know a few of the other moms that help out often. It's so different this year then it was last year. I guess parents(not all, but most I've seen here) don't care as much when it's half day. I'm just glad that he loves school and I hope it's still this way when he's 16! Hahaha, yeah right!

I have more pictures I will post later from the base Halloween party and of trick-or-treating. I had them on here but it was turning to be a much longer post then I care for.