Halfway done!!!!!!

As of last night, we are officially halfway to graduation!!! I am so excited, I just hope the second half goes by as fast as the first! I'm sure it will, what with Halloween and Thanksgiving going on between now and then! Andy graduates on the 4h of December and I get to spend all day on the 3rd and the 4th with him! Can't wait!!!!!

He does have a new battle buddy now, which is great news! The other guy got "recycled" back to reception and will probably start again with the next group. All he wanted to do was go home but now it will take him twice as long. Kind-of sad! All the guys have been fighting colds due to the nasty weather in Oklahoma and all the stress on their bodies, I'm sure! They average about 4 hours of sleep a night and spend most of their days marching in the wet cold. They are halfway through week 4 now, and have spent all this week and last week at the range practicing firing their weapons. Andy has been excelling at everything thus far and spends most of his time helping to coach the others in his platoon. I'm so proud of him!!!!! He is a natural leader and his Drill Sargents have taken notice!!! Way to go, Soldier!!!

In family news, Drew had his preschool Halloween Party today and had a great time! Shelbie and Owen have a parade at their school tomorrow and I hope the little ones and I don't freeze to death, as it is outside so we'll see how that goes! We are getting really excited for Halloween, we always have "mummy dogs" for dinner and hot chocolate when we get home while we watch our "scary" movies! Can't wait! Hopefully the weather cooperates!!! We continue to mark our days off the calendar and make the most of each one! Can't wait to have our Soldier home!!!!!!

4 letters!!!!!

Ok, so I feel really terrible about my bad attitude on Monday! On Tuesday, I had FOUR letters waiting for me in my mailbox!!!! YAY!!!! The only thing that's got me down now is that as of Friday, Andy hasn't received a single ONE of mine!!! Now I'm freaking out! Do I have his address wrong? So imagine how he feels, isolated from his family and friends, and thinking that his wife is not writing to him! If I felt that crappy on Monday after only 3 days of no letters, well I bet he feels pretty bad!!! I'm just really hoping at least one has shown up by now. There's nothing else I can do, so I just keep writing and sending every single day!!! Cross your fingers for me he is getting them by now!!!!!
In news, let's see. They were issued their weapons and a bunch of gear, including a gas mask to use in an actual gas chamber. No, I am not making this up! Apparently they have to remove them in the chamber too. Crazy!!!! They have taken a ton of classes, including buddy aid, which is a basic first aid course so they all will know how to take care of each other out in the field. That's a relief!!! Andy is having some trouble with his battle buddy, though. Apparently out of 59 guys, the guy he has to be within 5 feet of at all times is a head case. He has been trying to get sent home since the second day of reception and I was told last Monday (the 5th) that he was receiving a discharge for misconduct, but as of Friday (the 9th) he was still there and was having to do Psychiatric evaluations, which means Andy has to go with him because they are not allowed to let each other out of sight! Poor Andy! He really just shouldn't have to deal with that right now! So I am hoping and praying that this guy will get sent home before he does something drastic to where they have no choice (like hurt someone! He really does sound that unstable!). More news on that later! As of now, Andy is keeping a great attitude and is pressing forward! He is now on Week 3 which is the last week of Phase 1 so he's doing great!!!!!
We, the family, are hanging in there too! I took my first Language Arts Final yesterday, and I'm pretty sure I did a great job!!!! I also got my military ID and finished up our enrollment in the healthcare and dental programs. It feels good to have all that taken care of!!! The people at the National Guard Headquarters were really great to work with!!! I also took the kids to the pumpkin patch on Monday, and on Friday we are going to carve some punkins! Wish me luck, it may take me until Christmas to get them all done, LOL!!!!! Other than that, we are just having fun marking the days off the calendar and gearing up for Halloween!!!!!

BLAH!!!

7 weeks to go, or if you prefer, 50 days. Haven't received a phone call since the 4th of October. Hopefully I get a letter today, or I might just crawl under the bed and hide for awhile. Sorry for the bad attitude, but Andy's been gone three weeks and the air has definitely been let out of my tires. Yes I will survive this, but today I just can't make myself enjoy anything! 'nuff said! Oh great. I forgot it's Columbus Day. Awesome. Thanks for "discovering" America Columbus but seriously, my kids don't even get the day off school so why, oh why can't I just receive my mail? The universe is just not smiling on me today!!!!!

Oct 5th. A letter!!!!! TWO letters!!!

So, as the title implies, I received not one but two letters from Andy today! (well, technically one was for me and one was for the kids!) He is doing really well. It is much, much harder than I think he anticipated, but in his letter he specifically said: "most of us knew what we were getting into when we enlisted. The Army only wants soldiers that are mentally tough enough to deal with the stressful situations they put us in. It's only 9 weeks of my life!" So as you can see his attitude is great and he knows it is just a temporary situation. The Drill Sargent's really put it to them. Apparently he was assigned to the toughest battalion but he said to me that he's glad because his Unit has become very close because of it and he has confidence that if he ever did have to go to war (God Forbid!) the guys he is with now would know what they were doing. So that's good, I guess! The great news is he's almost on to week 2, which means one more to check off my calendar!!! I can't wait to see him at his graduation!!!!! Well, as always, I will update more as I know more!!!

Military Wives' Prayer

Lord,

Give me the strength of heart to see

The difference in duty and his love for me;

Give me the understanding to know

That when duty calls, he must go;

Give me the patience to know in my heart

That he is serving his country and doing his part;

Give me the strength to carry on

When he's working late or must be gone;

Give me a task to do each day,

To fill the time while he is away;

Give me others who can share

The ups and downs and who'll really care;

Give me the wisdom to get me through

When I'm not quite sure of what to do;

And Lord, while our family is here

Keep us healthy, safe and full of cheer.

AMEN!!!!!

One week down, NINE to go!!!

As you all should know by now, Andy left home on the night of the 21st of September to enter Basic Training for the Army. That night I was incredibly sad (I think watching him walk away was the absolute WORST!) but I soon gathered myself and have been ok ever since. It helps a lot that he has been in contact every day since he left! (YAY for technology!!!) That first night he was gone, he stayed over at the Radisson Inn near the airport (which, oddly enough, is the very same hotel we stayed in on our wedding night!) the next morning all the new recruits were picked up and taken over to the MEPS station to be debriefed and who knows what all else! Next, he was taken to the airport where he and three others were on the same flight to Oklahoma City, OK. On arrival in the airport there they waited in the Military Welcome Center (run by volunteers from the local YMCA - thank you for supporting our troops!!!) until another group joined them so they could all be taken by bus to Ft. Sill - an hour and a half away. By the next day it was Wednesday already, and they began the long arduous task of being in-processed. Obviously I don't know everything that he has done while there, but I can give you the basics! They were vaccinated against 8 different diseases (I know, right? crazy!), issued ACU's (Army Combat Uniforms), boots, PT clothes (clothes to wear during fitness training) and shoes, they filled out a million different forms, including life and dental insurance forms, wills (yes really) and things of that nature. They also have been learning the various cadences they march to (some of them are downright hilarious!) and the protocols surrounding behavior and respect and such. During all this time (from last Tuesday evening to early this morning) they were at what is known as "reception". Even though they spent an entire week there, it is known as "week zero". I am proud to report that Andy made it through all this with flying colors and early this morning he embarked on "week one". He is officially in Basic Combat Training at this moment so my nightly phone updates will obviously end. I did get to speak with him last night and he said he would write to me instead, so at least I'll have that to look forward to! After the first two weeks his unit will have the opportunity to earn phone privileges so if his does he will most likely be able to phone us on Sundays, as that is their "free day". (sort-of!) So now you are all up to date! Know that he is well and really enjoying himself. He misses home but he is doing a great job of making the best of his situation! He has already made some friends so I think that helps as well!!!! I will update again as soon as I get new info!!!!

God Bless our Troops!!! It really hit me the other day, while I was watching a video designed for the families of new soldiers, how relatively young the men and women that are fighting for our freedom are. I mean, I just never thought about it before! I was watching this video and it hit me, most of the faces on there are only ten years older than my Shelbie!!! BABIES! and they are sacrificing their youth, and time with their families, and all of the other crazy fun stuff most of us did at their age to go and fight in two different conflicts, each a half a world away!!!! I would like to ask you all to take some time out of your busy day today, and say a small prayer for the men and women that are the true American Heroes!!!! May they always be in our hearts!!!!!

ok, I'll get off my soap box now!!! =)

School days!

Back to school time!!! Shelbie started second grade on the 26th of August! She was so excited to go back and see all of her friends after our crazy Summer of traveling all over! Owen started first grade the next day. He was so cute, asking his sister all about what you do in first grade and such. After we picked them up on his first day, the very first thing he said was "holy cow I LOVE first grade!" Whew. That's a bullet dodged! (for those that don't know, Shelbie HATED first grade! she and her teacher didn't mesh well, and Owen got the same teacher so I was anxiously awaiting how it would go!) So that brings us up to September 1st, which was MY first day back to school! Yep, I be in college now! (again!) So far I am loving every minute of it! I am already almost done with my first class! My goal is to finish in 3/4 time! We'll see how it goes, but so far I am right on track! Now today, the 9th of September, is Drew's first day of preschool!!! Such a big boy! He was up at 7 am with the other kids and has been ready to go since they left for school! He is having "Teddy Bear Day" at school so he gets to take his favorite animal to school with him. Of course he chose Hunter, his bear with the Army sweatshirt. Absolutely EVERYTHING is Army with that kid! I heard him tell his daddy yesterday: "daddy, you are a hero because you are in the Army". AWWW!!!! makes your heart melt when they say stuff like that! So, here's to a great school year!

Big Changes!

So yes, once again, I am terrible at keeping up with this blog! I hope that will change when I get my new computer! Just wanted to update everyone a bit and let you all know I am going back to school! Yes, FINALLY! I have been accepted to Western Governor's University and I am hoping to start on the first of August. How will that coincide with the Army, you may ask? It is 100% online and it is both nationally and regionally accredited, so I can take it with me! I am going to get my degree in elementary education so I can teach! It's the only career I can think of that will give me the same hours as my children, including Summers, and of course I love children so it is perfect for me! The only part I cannot do online is my student teaching, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it! My ultimate goal is to work for the DOD at one of their American Schools abroad! Wish me luck in my new endeavor and I will keep ya'll posted! (yep, I been in Texas!)

Congratulations Private Rasmussen!

Yep, you read right! I indeed said "Private Rasmussen!" On Friday, May 8th, 2009, Andy raised his right hand and took a solemn oath to the United States Army. He has made a commitmet to them for at least the next four years, and he will leave for Basic Training on Sep 28th, 2009. They are going to train him to be a medic! He came to the decision to join through many, many hours of thoughtful consideration and prayer. This has been the biggest decision of his life and I am proud to say that as his wife I stand by him 100% and I look forward to seeing what the future will bring! This is a very anxious and exciting time in our lives, for sure! I am so excited to share it with all of you! For any of you who are wondering, he will be doing Basic at Fort Sill, OK, and Advanced Training at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio TX. So while I'm in Utah freezing to death next winter, he will be enjoying beautiful weather! While he is in Advanced Training he will learn where his duty station will be and that is where the kids and I will join him! So, more about that later!

Random facts about me

So we all know I'm random! But how many of you know just how random? perhaps I can shed some light!

1. I hibernate in the winter. This is no joke. I literally hole up inside my house. I like to look at how pretty the snow looks from the windows, and I might play in it for like, a day, but then I'm done and I hide inside until it goes away. This is something I have just come to terms with. No it's not normal, it's just what I do! Of course I venture out to take the kids to school, but I am not exaggerating when I say all other things are only done on an "as absolutely necessary" basis. Including the grocery store!

2. Scary movies mess with my head. Seriously we are talking even the freaking previews give me nightmares. The most ridiculous part is that for some reason I am attracted to them. Like a masochist or something. I must really like the punishment! I have placed serious restrictions on myself to keep this problem at bay. I cut myself off, literally from all things scary! Even my husband knows to change the channel when the previews come on commercial to curb my "oh, I want to see that" freakishness. It is a problem I feel I have handled well, however! I haven't seen one in probably two years at least.

3. Due to aftermath of random #2, I have serious issues with Sharks, Bees, Spiders and anything else that might be "lurking". It is a miracle that I am not afraid of dogs as well. I guess Cujo didn't really impress me! I don't let these crazy fears keep me from doing what I want to do, but believe me I keep a keen eye out for these man eaters!!!

4. As a child, I was absolutely obsessed with Little House on the Prairie. I have read the series at least 100 times all the way through! I will still watch the tv show if it's on. Andy laughs at me every time too, but who cares! Secretly I always wanted to live on the Prairie! I have even read many biographies on Laura and was quite interested to learn many "facts" that never made it to the books. I encourage all Laura fans to research her life, it was even more interesting than most people realize!

5. I am a researcher. I research absolutely EVERYTHING! In fact, I have to keep a notepad and pencil next to my computer because I am always thinking of new things to research while I'm researching other things! It's an obsession! It's a family joke that if you ever want to know something you don't really need to know, ask me! Chances are, I know! Most interesting to me are Medical Encyclopedias and anything of historical value. This is totally geeky, but totally true!

6. I have a very keen interest in Theology. Andy just suggested to me yesterday I should just turn it into a degree since I spend so much time on it anyway! Not a bad idea!

7. I thoroughly enjoy being pregnant. I know, I'm crazy! I love every single minute of the process! There is something so miraculous about bringing a life into the world. Right up to labor and delivery. I cherish every single moment from start to finish! No wonder I've done it so many times, right?

8. I really want to move. SHOCKER, right? I want my kids to experience so much of the world! I feel people who have a wider variety of experiences as children grow to become more empathetic as adults. They learn to get along with so many different types of personalities. I really want that for my kids!

9. I have committment issues. It's totally true! At the age of 28 I still have at least three things I "want to be when I grow up". It is getting to be a bit ridiculous. Any advice on how you choose would be greatly appreciated. It is a wonder I have been with Andy so long. I had no trouble at all committing to him. For some reason choosing just one thing to do forever really freaks me out! Help!

10. a long-term side-effect of #9 is that I spent 5 years in college and have nothing to show for it. I switched direction and jumped track so many times I have a bunch of little credits that add up to nothing! SO SAD and such a waste! I feel guilty about that every single day!

11. I have at least three books written. inside my head. that's the perfect place for them, right? someday I hope to get them on paper. Then maybe Andy can hijack them from me and do something with them since I can't seem to get the courage. What a wuss!

12. I come up with at least one new way to improve my life every single day. It's true! I think there's always room for improvement. In case you are wondering my idea today is this: let the people you care about know just how much you appreciate them. Sound simple? Try it out! I wrote my husband a thank-you and put it on the bathroom mirror!

13. I love all things "girlie". I know, right? Don't get me wrong, I am not afraid to get dirty! But I like looking good while I do it! I love make-up, dress-up and and trying out new hairstyles. Unfortunately with this mommy gig I don't get much time for it anymore so I live vicariously through fashion magazines! Love them!

14. I truly believe in the miracle known as "retail therapy". However, again, not much time or money for that these days so I pretend to shop online but never check out. I'm sure Old Navy just loves me for that, LOL!

15. I am a huge sports nut! I love the thrill of competition! I follow the Yankees and the Broncos the way some people follow religion. It is a very serious matter, in other words! It's not only Football and Baseball, though. I have never found a sport I can't get into. Wait. That's a lie! That curling thing in the Winter Olympics is totally lost on me!

16. I have ALWAYS wanted to attend the Kentucky Derby. I love everything about it! I even pretend shop for a cool hat every single year! Someday I really will own a few!

17. I love to read! I get so into books that everything else becomes background noise. Because of this I have to set strict limits on myself! I am only allowed to read after everyone is in bed and/or after all the chores are done! If not strictly adhered too, I get a little nutty! Case in point: I read the entire Twilight series in four days! Luckily Andy was home to attend to the kids but he was feeling severely neglected, LOL!

18. There is a slight possibility I could be a little OCD! Apparently it's not "normal" to organize your shirts according to style and color. And your shoes....and also alphabetize all your movies and cd's according to genre. Who knew?

19. I love love love to be outdoors. (except for most of the winter!) If I'm having a stressful day or things just don't seem to be going right, all I have to do is get outside and get some fresh air! Changes my whole outlook!

20. 4th of July is my absolute favorite holiday. I've never met anyone else who says that! I am so proud to be an American! Andy and I pretty much celebrate the entire month of July! My fav holiday, my birthday, and our anniversary all in one month! So much fun!

Ok, well I think that's enough random info for now! I know it drug on and on so if you couldn't finish it I don't blame ya! And if you did, I'm impressed! ;)

Yes, I'm behind!

Who knew that writing a blog would be so difficult? I used to consider myself a writer, but not these days! I sit down here and try to think of things to say, but nothing ever escapes so I leave it for another day! So yes, I am behind! Maybe I'll start with a bit of an update!

Van is almost 7 months now! I know, can you believe it? He is such a little charmer! And when I say little, I mean it! He is only in the 10th percentile for height and weight! Such a sweet little bug! He eats like a champion, loves his bath time, is a breeze to put to bed at night... what more could a mommy ask for? Other than his absolute refusal for anything that even resembles a bottle, we're good, LOL! needless to say, it's a bit difficult to leave him for any substantial amount of time, but that is really not a "real" problem, you know?

Drew continues to grow and chage at a remarkable rate. For being the most stubborn child in the family, he is also quite brilliant! He will suddenly pop off letter identities out of nowhere. For instance, when I was reading to the kids the other day he suddenly got really excited and said "A, A, A, A" while pointing to all the A's on the page! Remarkable! Yes, he's 3! But if you ask him to do it, no way! Such a stubborn little rascal! He has recently recovered from what we can only assume was Influenza. Despite getting his flu shot every year he came down with a mysterious illness that lasted a little over a week with fever, malaise, and stomach pain. The poor kid didn't want to do anything or even move. It got to be quite scary but the doctors still don't really know what it was! It's gone now, thank goodness and he has made a full recovery with no one else in the family catching whatever it was!

Owen is thriving in Kindergarten. He loves going to school, and it has been reported by his teacher that when he finishes his work he helps the other children complete theirs! He has always been so good about helping! He brought home his second term report card yesterday and recieved all 4's and 3's. (this new elementary school grading system goes from 1 - 4, basically equivelent to 1=D and 4=A on our old system). I couldn't be prouder! He is on a first grade reading level and is just an all-around great kid! I even overheard him telling Drew the other day that if Drew gets all potty-trained (yes, we are STILL dealing with that issue!) Owen would give him his Stingray! Wow, amazing!!! (the Stingray is Owen's bike that Santa brought him when he was 3 1/2 - it looks like a chopper and is seriously super cool!)

Shelbie is becoming quite the young lady! We celebrated her seventh birthday last Saturday. Holy cow I have a seven year old! Instead of having a birthday party she decided she wanted to have a "girl's night out"! Wow, so grown up! So Shelbie, her friend Amanda, her Aunt Jen, her Grandma and I went to see Coraline in 3D. It was awesome!!! A little dark, so I don't recommend it for all kids. If they like movies like The Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas, you are probably fine! If not, don't take them because I can see the possibility of major nightmares in that case! The next day we all went out to lunch at Iggy's (again, her request!) and celebrated with her! She had a great day! Full of major surprises, too! The American Girl doll Samantha, which has been retired and is hard to find, was sent to her by Her Grandpa and Deana in Texas. She was astounded to see that! Her Grandma bought her a horse and cowgirl outfit for the Samantha doll! So exciting! And her dad bought her a real BMX freestyle bike and customized it just for her! A true one of a kind! I can't believe how fast my babies are growing up!!!

OH, and on another note, my microwave was installed by my dear husband and good friend Tyson while we were out on Friday!!!!! For those of you who do not know the history behind this, let me catch you up! We have literally been remodeling our kitchen for two years now!! So we've been using the microwave in the GARAGE, of all places! The painting is done, the microwave installed, and the last thing to do is the wood work! (cabinets are done, we are replacing all the baseboards and door frames and such) I can not tell you how nice it is to have my kitchen back!!!! Will post pics soon!

Food for Thought...

I have been truly inspired recently..... with the inauguration of our 44th president I am buoyed with hope for our Great Nation! I watched diligently with my children as President Obama took the oath of office, and they listened to his speech as I did. I don't doubt that many of the words went over their heads, but one day I do believe they will remember yesterday and I am committed to helping them understand it's deep meaning. I love that my children do not see race when they see an individual, but I believe it is my duty to teach them just how far we have come to get that way. I do not want to forget the struggles and sacrifices so many bore to give their children and grandchildren a better life. I think it would be a travesty to take for granted this; as so many of our freedoms are taken for granted. I believe each of us has a responsibility to ourselves and our Nation to stand as protectors of what is right.... On that note, I have also been greatly dissapointed lately by some of the terrible comments about our President that I hear from so many.... To this I just want to say that whether you voted for him or not, or whether you even voted or not (which, in my opinion, should exclude you from opinion altogether) he is our President and he deserves our respect and support. It is certainly a seat I do not envy! He has a huge mess to clean up and I hope to do my part as an individual! Each of us has a role to play and I am certain that if we can come together we will rise up and overcome the current cisis that is looming over all of us!!!

in closing, I would like to share with you my favorite scripture which has come to mind many times over the last two days! Matthew 7: 1-14