My Tribe

I normally don't dedicate posts to a specific person (aside from D and my kids) but I have a friend who deserves it. I will start by describing her in all the typical ways that she is: she is strong, kind, creative, caring, compassionate, honest, supportive, resourceful and inspiring. I know she is these things to me as well as everyone she meets.
So why am I writing a post about her? A little while ago I texted her to see if she wanted to do something with me. The idea was simple, text everyday (the military separates us from being close and small children make it difficult to do much but text daily), keep each other on track to be healthy, happier people. When I initially spoke with her, in my mind we would just text "hey I did some squats or a minute long plank." Luckily for me she strives for way more and she started sending me daily workouts or as I like to refer to them "C's daily torture." When I woke up completely hungover on New Year's Day, my lovely friend badgered me all day long until I finally did my workout. I had some choice names for her that day but by the end of the workout I had nothing but love for her because she pushed me beyond the point of excuses and laziness and made me do something that makes me better.

C: part of my tribe and a big support in my life. 

I told her I was going to write a post about her but one part of information was missing from my mind. I could not for the life of me remember when and how we met. This is rare for me. So I asked her and reluctantly she told me: "It was after your friend M died in that car crash. You were sitting in the cafeteria, you looked so very, very sad. I gathered every ounce of courage I had, and asked you if I could sit with you. You maybe shrugged your shoulders or said yes or something...I sat down. I am not sure we talked that first time. But we did the next day. And more the next." As back story for this, my best friend for years, M, died in a car crash when I was in seventh grade. The kind of feelings you feel when your best friend dies that young are hard to explain. It's obvious why I don't remember how I met C now but when I think about going through all of that I am so thankful (even more so remembering this time) that I have a friend like her. In her words "I like you. Then, and now. Besides...You are my people. My tribe." I could not have said it better and I feel the same way.

We remained friends through high school and reconnected when we were stationed up in Alaska. Our oldest spawn are about two months apart in age and I know they would be such great friends if we lived anywhere near each other now.

Small boy and Sass around 8 and 6 months old 

I remember going to see her in the hospital right before Sass was born and thinking that I just want to be there for her and help her and that even if we didn't constantly hang out or keep in touch in the future that this is someone who I would always reconnect with in some way.

I can't tell you why I still have this but through all the moving we have done (including my constant dorm and apartment switching during college) I have kept this "happy picture" that she gave me our freshman year of high school.

It usually stays tucked away somewhere in the closet of whatever house we live in, safe with the teddy bear that once belonged to my best friend M, Small Boy's baby blanket with his birthday on it, and various letters and things people have given me throughout the years. I find it and smile at it every time I clean my closet or get nostalgic. I never could throw it away and I think if I ever lose it I will have a good long cry. 

So why am I suddenly dedicating an entire blog post to this one person? Like I said at the beginning, she's helping me in so many ways right now (and in the past). She has three amazing little people and her big guy is away from them all for an entire year. She is "one man banding" it right now and let me tell you, she is doing a hell of a job. Despite the fact that her middle child seems determined to kill himself, her appliances break, and she had to scrape a dead skunk off her driveway (and all the various other things that go wrong when your spouse leaves), she takes the time every single day to inspire me and support me to get healthier. And she lets me do the same for her. It's one thing to tell someone to workout and push them past all the excuses you know they will make but it's another to do that AND lean on them to push you as well on the days you don't feel like it. We are here for each other for the good days. That's easy. But we are really there for the rough days. And C has been there for me since the roughest days I had when I was young. 

So I raise a glass to one of the most amazing women I have ever known and deem myself incredibly lucky to have such a selfless, caring friend. She's my people and I love her dearly. 

A Time I Had

Me and C freshman year high school.

PAX!

Like I said in a previous post, D and I will be attending PAX San Antonio. This is awesome for all the obvious reasons that is PAX but also because:
1. D and I have been wanting to attend PAX for a long time now. The fact that we are close to this one and that D has the ability to take time off is amazing.
2. A kid free trip? Yes please. While Link would be totally fine going to this and he would love it, we are being selfish. We want to go and do all the things we want to do without hearing anyone say they are bored. Maybe in a few years we will take boy child with us. Not this time.
3. PAX!!!!


For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about, we are going to Penny Arcade Expo. Here's a little taste of what Penny Arcade is (warning: language)

Basically we are going to a big fat nerd convention full of all kinds of wondrous awesomeness (tabletop games, videogames, ALL THE THINGS!!!)

We are gamers. We named out first kid Link courtesy of the Legend of Zelda games and our second spawn Kirin courtesy of the Kirin Tor faction in World of Warcraft. How could we NOT attend this if given the chance?! It will be full of awesome cosplay, gaming tournaments, concerts, panels, and awesome. 

So here in a few weeks, D and I will pack up our CLEAN clothes (past attendees love to stress wearing clean clothes and taking a shower and let's face it, big gamers are not exactly known for the best hygiene), our DS's, some snacks and heading down to my not so favorite state to nerd out hardcore. I'm so excited!

And just to add something not to nerdy, here's a picture of my sweet little Inky before the Redskins crushed his heart yesterday:

And a picture of my baby Bug being fabulous:

Oh and did I mention...PAX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Time I Had:

Me and some of my most favorite gamers!

Why I'm Switching

There are several reasons why I want to switch from Facebook to Blogging. Social media is a great way to stay in touch but there are many people who just don't want to see what you have to share. Instead of chosing to "unfollow" you, they silently (or actively) criticize what you post. I have a friend who posts a lot about her workouts. While I personally don't mind and her particular journey inspires me, she received a message from one of her "friends" asking her to stop posting her workouts and pictures of her kids. Asking other people to censor themselves for your "well being" is ridiculous. I do know people who I have unfollowed because their posts seem to just be them boasting about how they are better than everyone (I worked out 8 times, ran 20 miles with a stroller uphill in my new shoes, I receive expensive gifts from the hubby, etc) but a simple button click is easy and I still check our their profile for recipe ideas and quick updates of their kids from time to time.

I feel the switch from facebook to blogging will help focus me though. Instead of "omg my kid is awesome because ____" or "I had fun at _____" I actually have to form more complete thoughts and this will make me happier. And I feel it will also give select friends and family a better idea of what we are up to.

It might also be a fun way to share what I'm reading, cooking, etc. Plus, I always like to look back at old blog posts. I actually used to be quite clever. And I can be whiny on a blog and if you want to criticize me, it's slightly more work for you. HA!

A Time I Had:

A fresh start

With the new year always comes goal setting. Some of mine include the cliche "be healthier" but I'd also like to make more time to read and spend less time being a Facebook junkie. It's easier said than done. I take a cute picture of my kids, they do something cool, something fun happens, or I just have information I want to share...I tend to want to open up Facebook and make a quick post. Instead of that, I would like to make a better effort to blog more. This way everything I have to update can be in one post and only the people who really want to see these updates will. Because it's easy to scroll through and mindlessly "like" things on Facebook. If you want to express your "like" on a blog you actually have to comment and in the age of passive liking something I much prefer a conversation!

So I'll start slow with a few updates.
Link:
After we moved to Alamogordo he started school. He was quickly bored in class and after much conversation, Dan and I made the decision to skip him a grade. He is now in second grade and loves it as he is more challenged. After speaking with his teacher I found that he was around the top of his class and the only one to make honor roll last semester. He maxed out the test they are supposed to take at the end of the year. He joined a math club and loves it. He still doesn't enjoy writing all that much but LOVES to read. He set a goal to read 100 books in 2016 and has almost read 10 so far. He is really into the How to Train Your Dragon series right now and loves Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Before winter break I received an email from DSE's gifted coordinator to see if we'd like to get him in the program and get an IEP for him. Of course we do! He starts next Monday and we will have the meeting to write up his IEP next month. Big things from such a small boy. We couldn't be more proud and excited for him.

Kirin:

She's sassy and her vocabulary is steadily improving. So now she is very talkative with the same Bug attitude we all know and love. She has taken it upon herself to become my workout couch. When I workout she tells me "go, go mommy. Mommy workout!" and she likes to help me set up my videos and equipment. When I'm almost ready to quit, she comes over to me and tells me "Mommy, OK!" and pats me on the head (usually while I'm planking or doing some awful ab exercise!) She loves to help me cook as well. She's also a sneaky little thing so she keeps me ever-vigilant!

As for D and I, we are just trying to get healthier. Eating better, exercising more (typical new year goals). We are also trying to plan some trips. Since D is no longer on shift work we have a more flexible schedule. And since small boy is no longer in expensive school, we can pull him out if need be to miss a few days for trips. Among those trips this year D and I will be going to PAX in San Antonio at the end of the month while my MIL comes to stay with the kids (Thanks Laura!). We are also planning a Colorado trip in early June, a Kansas City trip in late July and (fingers crossed) a DisneyWORLD trip in early December. Let's hope nothing drastic changes any of those plans because I'm looking forward to trips that are long overdue! 

So there's an update for any who wanted one (I'm assuming it's mostly family!) and hopefully I will make time to post them more often. Like I said, I would prefer to move more towards this and more away from facebook. Let's make it happen! 

A Time I Had:

We are going where?

I know I am an adult. Age wise and life-wise I am a full on for real adult. But as an adult I have to put it out there: I have no idea what I am doing half the time! It's a good thing I'm good at BS and can fake what I am doing most of the time.

All that being said, big life changes in the next month. D got orders for us to move to New Mexico. From Vegas to a teeny tiny small town. Without a Target (gasp!) I find it amusing that this is one of the first things people comment on when I tell them where we are moving. As if having a Target in the place you live defines your life. I think I will be OK without a Target. Hell, I might even save some money that once a month I might go there. I guess I am not fulfilling my duties as a stay at home mom by not hitting up Target 3-4 times a week and spending all our income there. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good Target trip but I think I'll be OK when we move.

So what does this mean? Well, we are selling our house. It was on the market a whole 4 days before we got an offer and went under contract. Let me tell you how thankful I am that it was quick. Getting two kids and a large dog out of the house for a full day of showings is not the most fun or most easy task. Inspection went well and now we wait for the appraisal.
This also means we have to find a place to move into when we get there. We decided on a rental for various reasons. It might not be as convenient as other housing options but we are fine with it. There is also NO WAY IN HELL I am buying a house down there. There just isn't. But we got lucky and thanks to the wonder of social media (sometimes it's useful for things other than cat memes and crazy bitches complaining about stuff) I was able to connect with some ladies who had a friend renting out their place. We were able to get a lower rent price and the place is great. The yard is HUGE for the kids and the house is bigger than the one we are in now. We have signed the lease and it starts the day we get there. What does this mean? It means we don't have to spend who knows how long in a tiny little pet friendly "hotel" room with a kid who has to start school, a toddler who screams louder than anyone I've ever met, and a dog who loathes being put in a kennel. This is good for me because now I don't have to stress about any of that. The only thing I have to focus on is enrolling small boy in school and wondering when we will get all of our stuff delivered to our house. These things are easy!

So we close on our house in a month. We have incredible friends who are opening up their home to our circus for the one night we will be homeless in Vegas. Then we head out at the beginning of next month. It will be a two day trip with two vehicles. Our SUV will contain two very very very active and energetic children and a dog who hates riding in cars (we have anxiety meds for him, poor thing). That will be oh so fun. Our car will contain everything we need to survive in a brand new empty house for a few weeks (hopefully it will be only a few days...)
I have high hopes for the trip. I am stocked up with books for the small boy (though I probably don't have enough with the way he reads) and I've got some random toys for tiny girl. And with the way they usually are in the car I'm guessing they will spend a lot of time squeaking at things they see out the window and entertaining each other. Now I DO have the last resort of a kindle fire loaded with some math apps for small boy and some Mickey episodes for tiny girl but if I can somehow avoid that I would like to. I'm not trying to be all hippy and "my kids don't need electronics to get by" but I am trying to survival mode myself! If tiny girl gets even a hint that she is allowed to watch shows in the car, it's all over. She's always been such a great car traveler (small and long amounts of time) and I don't want to ruin that with her wanting a tablet or tv every time we get in the car because I'm just not going to do that. Maybe when she gets older and can understand but she can throw fits like none other and I really don't want to deal with that...especially when it's just me to deal with it!

So there it is. We are moving. I'm OK with it. I'm looking forward to outdoor activities and a small town without the fear of death every time I drive somewhere! Small boy would be switching schools this year anyway and his TKD instructor is moving this month too :-( I have a couple friends I will REALLY miss but I think we are close enough that it will be easy to keep in touch. And a few of them will be joining us in a few months anyway! Another bonus is that when we do move and I am left alone with tiny girl because small boy is in school we will have some other friends moving that have little people her age. Playmates! Hopefully she can learn to be less feral and play nicely!

Like every move I know we are prepping for it but it probably won't feel real until about a month after we've been there.

A Time I Had:

My Free Spirit

I love to brag about the small boy because, well, he is amazing and smart and caring and so talented. But small boy has a tiny little sister and she is equally as amazing but very much in her own way. It always amazes me how different the two of them are. Honestly, they are D and I's little mini mes. I see so much of D in the small boy every single day. But the Bug. Oh man the Bug. Poor thing is like me. She is overly dramatic. She is creative and loves art. She is adventurous. Also, she's insane!

Things The Bug likes:
Her brother. They fight like nobody I have ever seen. I figured it wouldn't be so bad since there is 4.5 years between them. I'm pretty sure they fight more than siblings closer in age. She's a vicious little thing to him but she loves him and they are so fun to watch when they are getting along. I never had a sibling so it's nice to see these two.

-eating. Eating everything. She loves sushi. Spicy tuna roll.
-Terrorizing her brother.

-Breaking things (*after giving his sister his board breaking TKD medal* "She can have that because she's great at breaking things")
-Screaming at the dog.
-Dogs.
-Any animal.
-Barking back at dogs.
-Climbing on things.
-Taking all the tissues and wipes out of where they belong.
-Stacking things.
-Clicky pens.
-Drawing on walls. And furniture. And her brother and the dog. And everything that isn't paper. Also, paper.
-Blankets. All blankets.
-Anything soft or anything with ladybugs on it.
-Playing WoW with mommy and daddy (facerolling a Pally)
-Swinging.
-Star Wars (she loves Yoda)

-Stars.
-Playing swords (lightsabers) with her brother
-Her Daddy. Every time D comes home and she's awake for it she goes running to the door. It's funny to watch her run so fast because her legs still don't quite keep up with how fast she wants to go when she bolts for the door to get her Daddy.

I could go on and on about the ridiculous things she loves.
We often compare her and her brother to a cat and a dog. She loves giving people dirty looks and is generally stand offish until she decides you are worth her time. He's there telling you everything and wanting to be your best friend right away. But for as bitchy as she seems sometimes, she's such a free spirit. When she is home and around people she's already warmed up to she's a crazy little goofball. She does what we call "Boga" (Bug yoga) which is mostly just downward facing dog and a lot of rolling around. She growls, she has a great evil laugh, she giggles at herself. She's a funny little girl. She was the best surprise I've ever gotten and I could not love this little girl anymore than I do!

A Time I Had

My Warrior

I have this small person in my life who is absolutely incredible. His name is Link and I am so lucky to be his mom.

He just competed in a Taekwondo tournament. He didn't place. However, he lost to kids with much more experience and truth be told, I think he earned much better scores than he got. Then again, I'm his mom and I may be a little biased. However, his instructor's goal for him was at least ONE 9.7. He earned three of those.

Right before his competition he was headbutted by two very unruly competitors who were unaware of their surroundings and not doing what they were supposed to. This is how he started the tournament. He shook it off and came out LIKE A BOSS. He cheered on all of his competitors, he entered the ring properly with bows and a strong voice. His form was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. with strong yells. He bowed his head for scoring like he was supposed to. He was great.

He also competed in board breaking. He was originally going to be doing a side kick for his board break but the day before his tournament his instructor convinced him to do a running jump side kick. He's NEVER done one of those. He had a day to practice. So at the tournament he gets called up. He goes for it and takes the hardest fall I have ever seem him take. He smacked his head into the floor and rewatching the video I took of it, looks like he probably is going to have a wicked bruise on his hip. I honestly have no idea how the hell he got up from that. I'm surprised he doesn't have a head injury of some sort. But he jumped up right away, shook it off and kept trying. I don't know how many attempts. D and I were trying to tell him to just do side kick. He ignored us. He was so in the zone. And then he broke it. And it was awesome.

Here's some fun pictures after the tournament:

Link, his best friend Stewart and his "girlfriend" Sofia showing their best warrior faces

 Stewart, Link and Sofia being cute

Future sister in law had to get in on the photo op:

During this tournament I saw the kind of person my kid is and is becoming. A patient, compassionate, hard working, persistent, talented little person. I'm excited to continue watching him grow into the amazing young man he is going to be.
 

A Time I Had: