Our Life

Turning over a new leaf or......

2010-08-26T22:36:00.000-07:00

....at least I am attempting to. I have recently come to realize that I really need to simplify my life and take all of the bad, negative things or the bad and negative things that affect me and my family. I know I have should have come to this realization earlier. At least I wish I would have come to this epiphany earlier in life. But as the saying goes, "better late than never". ;)

It started with me realizing that I was holding on to very minimal and trivial things and I was allowing those "things" to slowly eat away at me. Super frustrating, to say the least. So I have adopted the idea of a duck. Yes, I said D-U-C-K! You know, just let the stupid small things just roll off your back and leave it in the past where it belongs. My wonderful friend, A.M. (all you're getting are her initials) always reminds me of the "duck theory" I have incorporated into my every day life and I love her for it because she understands and "gets" me. Also, my other wonderful friend, V.L. (just the initials people) sacrificed a bath time rubber duckie so that I may take him everywhere, although he mainly stays in my car, as a reminder of my new attitude I have towards life and towards other people. Amazingly enough, it is actually working. As crazy as that sounds, but just seeing the duck reminds me that I am trying to better myself FOR myself and no one else. Hopefully my wonderful, handsome boys will adopt the same type of outlooks on life. :) What is strange is that I always knew that I could have always self improved and it is finally happening and let me tell you....I AM EXCITED AS ALL GET OUT! Although some days are rougher than others, but I think I'm making progress! ;)

Life in the Pritchett household has changed since my last blog entry. Aaron started Kindergarten and he is absolutely LOVING it! I couldn't have been any prouder of him! I swear that within the first week of him actually going to "school" he started looking much older than just 5 years old! I did, however, surprise myself...I thought I was going to cry my eyes out of just overwhelming and swelling pride. But I just couldn't stop smiling the entire day because I was so stinking proud of him!!!! I did tear up a bit, but I managed to keep my crazy motherly emotions in check! He is such a joy in our lives and I know he and his brother, Kade, will grow up to do something phenomenal and I cannot wait to see what exactly it is!

Definitely more updates to the attempted self improvement! Stay tuned! ;)

Key Spouse

2010-04-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

Ah yes, I have decided to be a key spouse for my husbands squadron. There were a few reasons why I ultimately decided to become a key spouse. I'll be honest, the first reason was because I am a stay-at-home mom and I need the interaction of other adults from time to time. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my children to death, but having an adult conversation is something that is needed! Secondly, I remember Michael's first deployment and he informed me that a SNCOs wife would be calling me at least twice (it was only a 2 month deployment at that time) just to check up on me. Low and behold, I got 1 phone call and that was a week before he was coming home. It was completely and utterly pointless for her to even call me. So I feel like I can and will change that, because it made me feel as though I had either done something wrong or that I wasn't important enough for her to take 2-5 minutes out of her day to call me. I don't want another spouse to think the same thing I did...it sucks. Thirdly, call me a dreamer or what have you, but I'm so tired of having the squadron have their little cliques. I know what you may be thinking, "There are always going to be cliques anywhere you go." And yes you may be right, but that doesn't mean that we can attempt to remedy the situation. It doesn't mean that we are all going to get together and be amicable and sing around a campfire, but just knowing who each other is, is better than what we have going on now!

So , yes call me crazy for trying to get to know other FEMALES (we all know how catty we can be), but I am going into this with an open mind. Wish me luck!

March of Dimes

2010-04-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

Today Alanna & Steve, Julie, her son, Alec, Aaron, Kade, & I did the six mile walk for the March of Dimes in Sacramento today. 8-) I have never done a walk for anything before but I want to do MORE! It was just refreshing to get out of the house and do something productive and be in the company of great people.

I'm surprised Aaron didn't start complaining about the walk taking too long or that he wanted his Leapster to play with. He was such a trooper. Also, Alanna & Steve were so helpful when they took the reigns and pushed the stroller for me because I had wrapped Kade in the moby wrap. You would think that since I was hands free it wouldn't be such a hassle to push the stroller....WRONG! Oh well, it all worked out nicely.

The six mile walk didn't seem like six miles...it's because we were all in good company. Let's see the next walk is the Susan G. Komen walk in May 8, 2010.

We also had a nice surprise when we came home and Michael was able to chat with us. However, I was laying down relaxing and I didn't see that he was chatting with us, or attempting to, and I missed that opportunity. But Michael did end up calling us a few hours later to let us know that there had arrived at their destination perfectly fine, but the 12+ hour flight was too long! HA! That is an understatement! I couldn't imagine being on an airplane for 12 or more hours! At the 4 hour mark I start to get irritated; I guess better him than me! But he's doing fine and so is the rest of the crew and they start work tomorrow!!! *WHEW*

Four Month Marathon.

2010-04-23T11:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a last minute picture of my boys. 8-)

Michael left today without a hitch. Aaron woke up and came into our room as soon as he knew that Michael was up getting ready. Kade work up with a bit of grogginess but I think I was the one that didn't want to get out of bed. Of course the morning routine seemed to be going in fast forward and not too long after we had woken up, we were off to the airport.

Since Michael is on military orders we are able to go through the security check point and wait with him in the terminal, but Michael said it makes it tougher on him and I can understand why. But at the same time, I instinctively want to spend every last possible moment with him. So wen just ended up saying our goodbyes downstairs, where you check in your luggage.

Michael gave the kids hugs and kisses and then gave me a kiss. I tried not to tear up but I couldn't help it. But that was quickly ended when he gave me a hug and while giving me a hug his glasses smooshed against my face. Which in turn, turned a sad moment into a comical one. So overall, the goodbye part wasn't as horrible as I thought it was going to be.

I think it really hit me when I came home and saw his truck in the driveway and I knew he wasn't going to be inside of the house. I just have to keep telling myself that each day it will get easier...the nights on the other hand I'm not too sure. The nights are the toughest part. Because when we put the kids down for bed, we just kinda hang out and watch TV do our Ashford posts together and ask opinions on our assignments. Now, it's me. Which I guess it has it's silver lining, a very thing silver lining. I can start working out again when the kids go down for the night. I can be somewhat productive while he's gone! LOL 8-)

Thankfully, I have many family, friends, and friends with children that can help me run this "marathon."

I feel alone already.

2010-04-19T09:35:00.000-07:00

Michael leaves on Friday and I feel as though he's already gone. But then again, I can tell that I have "checked out", in the emotional sense too. I guess this is our way of attempting to be strong for one another, at least it's my way. But it is failing, miserably...

But what is the best way to prepare for your husband, or wife, to deploy? Do you push him or her out? Do you spend every waking moment with them? My first reaction is to be around Michael as much as possible and do things with the kids together as a family...It's fascinating to realize that there are so many things that either need to be done around the house or that I want to have done around the house before he leaves. I have dubbed it the 'honey-do list'.

I just hate that, for the year he is home is passes so quickly, and the four months that he's gone is seems to just creep by. But I have to keep telling myself that four month is not that bad considering there are some military spouses that are dealing with 12-18 month deployments. But it doesn't mean that those four months stink any less.

Here's hoping that the four months pass quickly and that I can stay busy and preoccupied.

Been too long!

2010-04-09T08:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been slacking way too much when it comes to this blog!!! Kade is almost 1 year old (I cannot believe it), and it's something that I was completely unprepared for. We have finally moved out of base housing, hallelujah, and Michael is about to deploy again for another 4 months.

There has been so much change in our lives, but it's all for the better right? Oh and I almost forgot that Aaron starts Kindergarten this coming school year as well. It truly hit me that he's growing older when I turned in his registration packet to the school here. When he was first born, it seemed like 5 years was so far off in the future and now it's coming to fruition. Where did the past five years go? They seemed to have flown by so quickly that I find myself trying to create a mental photo book of his life. Which makes me want to savor the next five years of Kade's life even more than I am already, knowing that he's the last child Michael and I will have.

Overall, I'm just not prepared for the boys to grow up! I don't want them to grow up so quickly. Too bad I cannot slow down time for the good times and fast forward the bad times, i.e. temper tantrums or early morning wake up calls from Kade's room.

Unfortunately this month is also the month that Michael deploys, again! But I have to keep telling myself that it could be so much worse. Instead of only deploying for four months, he could be deployed for one year or longer. But it doesn't mean that it's not hard or that it completely and utterly sucks. Hopefully, the boys and I will have things to do to keep us busy and preoccupied, more so for myself.

I have also tried to become more active in Michael's squadron, becoming a key spouse, and being more proactive in meeting other stay-at-home mommies in the local area...I know they will both be my saving grace from going completely insane. I'm also pretty sure that I'm going to be blogging much more!

Cole's Creations!

2010-02-05T10:39:00.000-08:00

You MUST take a look at these nifty, crafty custom made towels! They are so adorable...I especially love the bunny towel because it is so original! Check it out!!!!!!!!

Boy things have changed

2009-05-07T15:07:00.000-07:00

It has been quite a while since I have written here, so let me sum it up fairly quickly.

Michael & I found out were expecting a new one on Oct. 1, 2008 and that the little one would be due on May 27, 2009, just a day after Aaron's birthday! Michael was deployed at the end of November to the "sandbox" for four months, which wasn't too bad because at least he was gone during the pregnancy and not while little one was an infant. I can't imagine being left alone for an extended period of time with an infant and a toddler. While Michael was gone, we found out that were we expecting another BOY! We had just recently decided on his name, Kade, and now that Michael is home (woo-hoo) and we have been rushing around, in our spare time, to spend as much time as possible with Aaron and trying to get thing ready for Kade.

So here we are, May 7, and we are waiting for May 19th to come around. Oh yeah, since I had a c-section with Aaron, we figured it would be best for me to have another c-section, also because I didn't want the kiddos to have birthdays SUPER SUPER close together. I wanted them to at least have different birthday weekends. I'm sure, though, when they are older and able to understand, I'll have their birthday parties in one shot (much cheaper)!

Poor Guy

2008-07-15T07:43:00.000-07:00

I feel so bad for the kiddos around here! They have been unable to go outside because of the fires here! Michael and I have tried to satisfy Aaron's craving of wanting to go outside with taking him to Chuck E Cheese...which did not work at all! He still wanted to go outside and play. I guess there is nothing like playing outside on the jungle gym.

I don't know what it is, but Aaron has started to flat out refuse to go to school now. When I drop him off at his classroom he'll cling to my leg and cry and say things like, "Don't leave me!" It has been like that this past week. I'm thinking that it because I tell him it's too smoky outside, and then the teachers at school tell him it's too smoky outside. Poor guy! I'm hoping that his behavior gets better because now they are able to play outside. (fingers crossed)

Swim Lesson!

2008-06-23T10:49:00.000-07:00

This morning was Aaron's first ever swim lesson at the base pool. I was expecting there to be quite a few 'parents and tots' there but there were only 3 tots signed up, but only Aaron and a little girl, Emma, showed up. They had so much fun! Today was just to introduce the kiddos into the water (i.e. blowing bubbles, kicking, splashing). They had so much fun, the only distraction for Aaron was that he thought the water was too cold (which it was a little bit). The swim instructors were so nice and patient with them, especially Aaron, he kept telling us he was cold as he was making audible noises of being cold. 8-D What a little stinker!

Hopefully, he'll get used to the water temperature more than just the water itself! :)

What a big boy!

2008-06-18T15:28:00.001-07:00

Well, Aaron has been potty trained for a new months (whew)! But Michael and I have recently started to put Aaron to bed in his big boy undies, and to our surprise no messes! I'm in total shock! I was thinking that it was going to be a long drawn out process of him understanding that it is very uncomfortable going potty in his bed. Michael and I bought more sheets, preparing ourselves for the sleepy-eyed sheet changes in the middle of the night. I'm so glad Aaron has not made us get up in the middle of the night because he has "gone" in his bed! What a big boy!

My Sweetness!

2008-06-16T13:42:00.000-07:00

I truly thought today was going to be a rough day for Aaron. After having both sets of grandparents visiting for his birthday, he has become quite spoiled! After Nana and Papa Pritchett left Sunday morning, I was sure that Aaron was going to throw a huge fit about not wanting to go to school. I didn't want to tell him he needed to get dressed for school because that would have just set him off on a tantrum (which was not something I needed at 7:45 in the morning). Much to my surprise, after I gave him the 10 minute warning, he looked at me and said, "Because I need to go to school today?" It was just so sweet and cute! I was expecting him to fight me tooth and nail. I guess my Bubba Bear is growing up.

He just always does or says something that just amazes me, and then he'll do another thing to remind me that he is just still a toddler. For example, I get him to his classroom and they are about to have story time with one of the teachers, I look over at him and he is sitting down in the circle picking his nose! Ah yes, he still has so much more growing up to do, but he is most definitely getting there!

What out mama!

2008-04-11T11:01:00.000-07:00

Lately we have been grilling out for dinner, and I always have to move my car back at a safe distance. While we are outside Aaron like to look for bugs of all sorts. Well he happened to notice the front of my car and the bugs that were on the bumper! BIG MISTAKE! Aaron was so made and upset that mommy had intentionally "hit" his bug friends! He marched right up to me and said, "Be careful momma! You don't hit them!" All I could do was smile and laugh; it was too cute! So I guess I'm going to have to watch out for all of Aaron's buggy friends!

Potty Time!

2008-03-15T19:38:00.000-07:00

YESSSSS! Michael and I are no longer buying those expensive diapers! For the longest time I was thinking that Aaron was never going to be potty trained and that he was going to be one of those children that wore diapers until he was 5 years old.
Needless to say, he has proved us wrong in only about 3 days. I actually made Aaorn a "pee chart". So everytime he would use the potty he would get a smiley face sticker, and when he got seven smiley faces he would get a chocolate (his favorite). I truly thought it was going to take a few weeks to get him used to the potty and used to telling us when he need to go. We were so shocked when he would tell us, "Potty." I never thought I would be so excited to hear that word.
Another accomplishment under Aaron's belt is he went poop too; althought I do think it startled him a bit.
He's actually getting better when we are in public he will tell us he needs to go potty, but I'm still not putting him in his undies when we go out...just to be sure. So he still wears his pull ups in public. I guess everything can't come at once, but we sure are getting there quickly!!

Because I'm the mommy

2008-03-05T15:02:00.000-08:00

I now know why my mom would say those infamous words, "Because I'm the mommy!"

Aaron has been asking, "But why mommy?" (it usually involves him asking for something he can't have at that moment or plain just can't have) I would reply with the answer that I thought would satisfy his curiosity. But I'm sadly mistaken. "Why?" I would respond with the same answer just in simpler terms, thinking that he just didn't get it. We end up going through 3 or 4 rounds of "why", and I just give up and say..."Because I'm the mommy."

I remember my mom telling me that and I would get frustrated and would continue to beg/irritate her until she just ignored me. 8-D But what does my son do? He asks, "But why are you the mommy?" I really don't think he's ready for the 'birds & the bees' talk. *sigh* I love my little booger.

It just irked me.

2008-03-03T14:44:00.000-08:00

Today in my Administration of Justice class, we were talking about the "norms" of society. Well, the topic of Asian people eating cats and dogs came up and how American society views it as inhumane and highly unusual. There was a girl (Caucasian; LOL) that had said that a friend of her's had made her some dinner and she had asked what kind of meat it was. Her friend it was from Hawaii and it was Black Lab.

I, of course, had to put my two cents in and said that I lived in Hawaii for most of my life and that my family is from Hawaii and we have never heard of such a thing. She insisted that her friend's parents were born and raised there and that in fact, it was Black Lab! I just really irked me!!!

It just didn't sit well with me. Oh well, what can I say...at least I wasn't the one that ate Black Lab! Eww!!!