Deployment

Deployment isn't fun! That's just it...no sugar coating it, no pretending it is, it's not! If you saw me out in public, I "appear" to have it together, but most days I don't. Most days a sappy country song I hear on my way to work brings me to tears. Thinking about coming home to an empty house, brings tears. Yes I work a full time job, have a 2 year old, I'm prego, and my husband is deployed! I'm very thankful he isn't somewhere dangerous because I just don't think I could handle that stress of worrying about him too. He's only been gone for 2 weeks. The first month is by far the hardest so that's what I'm waiting on to come and go! Ben left December 10th and won't be back until August. August seems like an eternity! Yes, this baby will be born without him here and no he isn't going to try to take leave. At some point during this deployment, he will be going to Africa so he can't come home. It's kind of sad for this baby. It will all work out! That's what I have to keep telling myself. I'm in Gulfport surrounded by people that love me and are so willing to help me and for that I'm very thankful!

Here are some pictures of Harrison telling dada bye. He didn't understand and still doesn't now. Some days he is mad. Some he is sad. We say our prayer for him every night though. We watch our home videos with dada in them. We listen to the recordable books Ben made for him before he left, but it's still not the same. It's not the same as having him here...





Sorry to vent, but I do feel better! Christmas posts tomorrow. I have to try and get some sleep!

Harrison's 2nd Birthday

This year we knew Ben was deploying so we wanted to go ahead and give him his birthday gift a little early, so Ben could be there, and go ahead and have his party. Every year it seems like this little guy's birthday drags on most the month of December and this year was no exception! I'm not complaining, but I hope he doesn't get used to it and expect it! Before his birthday party we gave him his gift. It was fun!







He wasn't too sure about it at first, but now he calls it "his yellow." He's starting to learn to stear it and not run into anything!

We had his birthday party at iJump on 280. It was a very easy birthday party. I was worried he would be scared of all the jumpy things, but not at all!





Of course his daddy had to get in on the action!


His buddy, and cousin, he calls "Pat Pat"




His Elmo cake!


Ben's mom and grandma








We didn't open presents at his birthday party. He's just too slow at it! We waited until we got home! He is definitely one loved little guy!

Time to play catch-up

I guess we should start back with Thanksgiving. That seems so long ago now! After 3 years of living overseas, we got to spend Thanksgiving with our family this year! It was so nice! Thanksgiving day we ate with Ben's family, Friday we ate with the Ford side of the family, and Saturday we had Harrison's birthday party. It was a fun filled weekend!

Outside at Ben's parent's house...we both look very tired!


Going to feed the horses with his Grandaddy


Just him being cute!


Love this little guy more than words can say!


The little boys, Harrison and A.J., getting the big boys!


Harrison and Sarah ready to eat!




Mom with 2 of her 7 grandbabies! These two are only 4 months apart and a handful!


Harrison eating dessert!


More on Harrison's birthday in the next post!

Our Weekend

So, obviously I didn't make it thru the 30 days about me. That's just too much!

We had a really good weekend this past weekend. Ben's parents were here. We decided to take Harrison to the zoo in New Orleans and he had a good time!







This is a total side note but I found it interesting...The elephant in this picture weighs 10400 lbs. They are pregnant for 2 years. 2 years, really??? That's entirely too long! Then, their babies weigh anywhere from 100-500lbs! I'm sooo glad I'm not an elephant!!!!

Sunday we took Harrison to the trunk or treat at our church. He had fun once he caught on. He didn't like his costume and wasn't sure what people were putting in his bucket, but once he caught on he enjoyed it! He was a cute dalmation!






Notice anything different???



Yes, Harrison is going to be a big brother! We are excited! I'm due June 2nd which means the baby will be about 2 months before Ben gets to meet him/her, but we will make it. I'm not the first military wife or last to have a baby while her husband is deployed!

Until next time...

Day 6: My Day

6:45 Alarm went off...jump in the shower
7:45 I'm ready so I wake Harrison up and get him ready
8:15 Out the door
8:45 Show up at work
10:00-11:30 Train a new girl at work
11:30-12:00 Eat Lunch
12:00-3:30 Loan Officer Training at work
3:30-4:30 Train new girl some more
4:30-5:15 Finish up work
5:15 Head home so see my boys and probably cook dinner ~usually Ben cooks but since I'm getting off a little early I might give him the night off :)
5:30 Arrive home and find Ben and Harrison outside blowing bubbles
6:30 Eat a delicious dinner...breakfast for dinner...yummy!
7:00-8:30 Laundry, dishes, mess around with Harrison, blog, check fb
8:30 Bedtime routine for Harrison
10:00 Hopefully in the bed by then so I can do it all again tomorrow!

Day 5: Definition of Love Day

Okay...I'm guessing they are referring to Valentine's Day. I'm not a big fan. Why do you need a special day to show someone how much you love them? I would hope that everyday all the people that I truly love know it. Ben and I don't really do Valentine's Day. We don't go out, buy for each other, or anything. I do try and get Harrison a little something but that's it. Sorry to be boring!

Day 4: What I ate today

Sadly, all I ate today was a Bacon Spud from McAlister's. I was off work and for some reason when I'm off I have horrible eating habits. I'm sure I'll eat more tomorrow!

Day 3: My Parents

Some of you may or may not know that I'm adopted. My parents got me when I was 3 months old. They got to "pick" me...ha! If you know me, then most of you know the situation my parents are in. Most people that find out say my parents are angels. They don't think so...they just do what they have to do! My sister's 3 kids live with my parents and have for 8 years now. My parents have a 12, 10, and 5 year old. Most days their house is CRAZY but they wouldn't have it any other way! Up until this year, my mom homeschooled the kids, but this year they have returned to school. I grew up with 3 siblings and we were all pretty much spoiled. Now it's great watching our parents spoil our kids! They have 7 grandkids now! Each one is so special to them! I'm very lucky I ended up with my parents!

Day 2 Your First Love

Before meeting Ben in August 2005, I thought I had loved one other person, but after meeting Ben I know I didn't nor did that person honestly love me. I have to say that when Ben and I met, we just knew would would end up together. We have only been married 3 years, almost 4, but we have been thru a lot together. We have moved twice in that 2 years which everyone knows is stressful. We have had our first child in that 3 years. Ben is the life of our household. He's the crazy one that makes us laugh. I love watching him be a daddy...He's an awesome dad! To see him be that loving and patient with Harrison makes me love him even more.

Day 1 Introduce

About me...
Well I'm 30, but don't really feel that old.
I absolutely love my family.
I have lived in Europe thanks to my husband who is in the military.
I'm very musically talented...I have played the piano, violin, and saxophone.
I'm adopted. I know who my birth mother is, but I do not have a relationship with her or my 3 half siblings.
I'm not a good housekeeper.
I hate to cook.
I really really want to learn to monogram.
I've always wanted a Tahoe.
I want to go to Ireland and Paris again.
I love Alabama Football...ROLL TIDE!!!
I hate, I mean really hate, doing laundry!
I'm very generous.
I love Christmas and I love to Christmas shop!!!
I miss my little dog Abbie pretty much everyday.
I love Coach bags!
I'm very competitve.
I sleep a lot and if I don't, I'm mean.
I have a bad temper.
I drive fast, but have been better since Harrison was born!
I'm weird, but I enjoy working.
I really want another baby!
I've never been baptized and it's something I struggle with.
I hate to read.
I hate being overweight but not enough to do something about it.
I love sweet tea!
I have a 5 year old sister who is a lot like me. Love that special little girl sooo much!
My other sister and I were prego at the same time and I hope we are again...our boys are 4 months apart.

Okay...I think that's enough for now! Stay tuned to tomorrow...

Should be fun...

I think, as moms, we forget about ourselves. I realized I was guilty of this when recently I went to have my hair cut and figured out it had been since January. That's really bad. It's just part of getting caught up in life! So for the next 30 days I'm going to write about me. Wonder if I can really blog everyday for 30 days...I can try!

The next 30 days will look a little something like this:
Day 1 {Introduce}
Day 2 {Your first love}
Day 3 {Your parents}
Day 4 {What you ate today}
Day 5 {Your definition of LoveDay}
Day 6 {Your day}
Day 7 {Your best friend}
Day 8 {A moment}
Day 9 {Your beliefs}
Day 10 {What you wore today}
Day 11 {Your siblings}
Day 12 {What’s in your bag}
Day 13 {This week}
Day 14 {What you wore today}
Day 15 {Your dreams}
Day 16 {Your first kiss}
Day 17 {Your favorite memory}
Day 18 {Your favorite birthday}
Day 19 {Something you regret}
Day 20 {This month}
Day 21 {Another moment}
Day 22 {Something that upsets you}
Day 23 {Something that makes you feel better}
Day 24 {Something that makes you cry}
Day 25 {A first}
Day 26 {Your fears}
Day 27 {Your favorite place}
Day 28 {Something that you miss}
Day 29 {Your aspirations}
Day 30 {One last moment}

Auburn's 2010 Fan Day

Okay...I know what you are thinking...no, I'm not an Auburn fan, but since Ben is and he is convinced Harrison is we went. We really had a good time. It was hot, but fun!






The wait was so long to get upstairs to see the football players.





Luckily, a girl that was working the event noticed we had a stroller and let us go up the elevator and we bypassed everyone standing in line. If she hadn't been so nice, we would've waited 2 hours and not seen anyone!

Harrison wasn't too sure about the players. He would hand them the football to sign, but that was about it. He did get his picture with 2 of them.






Then Harrison just couldn't hold on anymore. Notice how his hand is still hanging on to his helmet.



Fan or not...you have to admit that Auburn is a very pretty place and very peaceful! Until gameday that is...



Roll Tide! It's not too long until the madness begins!