Ten Things Tuesday...

and it begins before midnight EST! Yeah for me!

1) The Olympics - You knew that would make the list!

2) 20% off Old Navy with Old Navy Card through the 22nd. I've cashed in once already!

3) Thunder Storms

4) Learning that I'll never cook with fresh rosemary again. I guess I didn't realize how much I don't like the strong taste of rosemary. I like it baked in foccacia bread, dipped in olive oil. Macaroni Grill anyone?

5) Crickets - I've become immune to their chirping.

6) A much better Monday

7) Anticipating cleaning out my dirty, cluttered van tomorrow.

8) My cleaning lady will be back Friday! We've switched days with a friend so it's been almost 2 weeks since she's been here. She's been greatly missed.

9) Breyers Fat Free Chocolate Fudge Brownie Ice Cream - my nightly snack.

10) Getting to spend a full day with my 2 precious little bad boys.

Ten Things Tuesday

1) It's NOT Monday!!! Mondays have become a very bad day for me and it's because of an event that happens every Monday. Let's just say this event puts me in a real funk from the time it happens until I close my eyes. Last night I closed my eyes with the help of 2 benadryls so that was bliss!!!

2) Lunch with a new friend. I had lunch today with a girl who is new to El Paso. Her husband is in the reserves and got activated to an assignment here at Fort Bliss. I took her to lunch today and it was fun to just sit and chat.

3) Mavvy's going to be a talker. Bailey wasn't big on talking until about a year ago or so, if even then. Let's just say I finally understand about 90% of what he says. Maverick on the other hand has quite a repertoire of words, most of which he's picked up from Bailey like "Bar" and "Cuckoo." When he's in the mood, he even says "Baeeey" That's Bailey in Maverickese. The code deciphering begins again...

4) My purse was not LOST! As I was leaving the office to go to lunch, I couldn't find my purse in my office or in my car. I remembered at least putting my hand on it at the house, but apparently didn't carry it out of the house. Because I didn't have any ID on me, I couldn't just come home and get it. Thankfully, LT came home from lunch and was able to meet me to give it back to me. It's a sick and helpless feeling to lose your purse and not even be able to go to your own house.

5) Bailey loves school. So much so that he randomly pitches the biggest fits when it's time to leave. It's embarrassing to say the very least!

6) Grammy's coming! Grammy bought her ticket so she can come hang with the 2 crazies so LT and I can take a little anniversary trip to a still unknown destination. Phoenix or Santa Fe? Which will it be???

7) Budgets. We've decided it's time to take advantage of our extra income and start paying off some lingering school debt and start putting some into a retirement account for me. I have a little bit from when I worked full time, but it's not going to get me very far when I'm 65! Knowing I have to write every penny I spend down makes it a little easier to just not spend anything, sort of.

8) Blueberry Pound Cake. I made my famous Blueberry Pound Cake for our August Birthday celebration at FBC and LT told me last night that eating the Pound Cake was the best thing he had done all day yesterday. There's one piece left and I'm saving it for him. Aren't I sweet?

9) It's almost OLYMPIC time!!! We love the Olympics and as the Opening Ceremonies get closer, I'll have to do a post or two about my all time favorite olympians. I was going to have an Olympics party Friday night, but LT is being farewelled by his old Battalion Friday night. Boo...

10) Finishing the list while it's still Tuesday. I had to sneak in this few minutes to get this done or it wouldn't get done until tomorrow. So I'm glad it got finished today while those on the East Coast are still awake!

Ten Things Tuesday

On Your Mark...Get Set....Here We Go...

1) USAA Deposit @Home - We bank with USAA and because they don't have branches, we have to do must of our banking online. I used to mail my deposits in their pre paid deposit envelopes until I discovered that I can scan checks via my home scanner through their website and have them deposit immediately. I just write VOID on the check and file them away. The only checks I have normally are expense reimbursements and piano lesson payments.

2) Bravo - I've said before that I'm a reality TV junky. There are some shows that I can't normally get into, but for some reason Bravo's reality shows are absolutely addictive. The even better thing is that if you miss an episode or two, you can usually catch a marathon of the show you missed and get all caught up. LT even likes Project Runway, if you can imagine that - "fierce."

3) My friend the scale - We've been Weight Watchering for about 3 weeks now and both of us have consistently shed a few pounds. This is my first attempt at WW since we've owned the treadmill. Dieting alone doesn't work for me. I need both diet and exercise to see results and am seeing results at this point. I need to get a little more disciplined with writing down my points if I want to see the downward trend.

4) Planning a getaway - LT and I will celebrate 5 years of Wedded Bliss at the end of August and are hoping that we can work out a few days away together - menos los ninos. Grammy is looking into the possibility of coming out to stay with los ninos so we can steal away. Our destination is still up in the air. I was supposed to have 2 different cities with 2 hotel/resort options for each by last night. I failed to turn in my assignment!

5) Bailey doing things that are unpredictable and out of character - When we got home from school today, he decided he wanted to wear his helmet and knee pads to ride his scooter inside. I guess he's seen the bigger kids at school wearing their protective gear while they ride their scooters. As much as I wanted my boys to be hat wearers, they're not so far so for Bailey to voluntarily wear a helmet is way out of character for him and very cute!

Here's the proof. He must've been taking a break to catch a little Max and Ruby and eat some goldfish.

6) Unpredictable Bailey #2 - Sunday Bailey talked to Grammy for a few minutes on the phone so today he saw the phone and said "wanna talk to Grammy." I tried Grammy's cell phone and it went straight to voicemail. To maximize the moment, I called the Wades to see if he would talk to them. He sat and talked, really talked to them, for about 5 minutes. He said everything we told him to say - things like "I played with friends at school," "I rode in daddy's truck," "I drove my tractor" etc. He even said "I wub you!" When he heard Paw's voice he went crazy with excitment and started screaming "That's Paw, That's Paw." I never thought he would be so cooperative and actually talk on the phone, but he did. So keep you phone ready in case he wants to talk on the phone and we need someone he can talk to. I'm glad long distance is included in our Time Warner plan!

7) Next week LT goes to his new unit - That means this week has been easy like Sunday morning. He's acted like he's on vacation and has no responsibility. He turned in his work cell phone so he's a free man. The new unit will bring obstacles of its own, but we're enjoying this week for sure!

8) Mavvy hugs - Mav likes to climb up on top of me as I sit in my new chaise out back and give me hugs. It's so sweet and is always one of those moments that I try to enjoy because I know they won't happen much. Bailey has somehow figured out or thinks that offering me a hug when he's in trouble is going to smooth everything over. It helps, but he still has to deal with the consequences of his bad attitude or disobedience. He can probably tell when I'm getting stressed out and wants to help me calm down, too.

9) Chocolate Covered Strawberries - Yum! I was supposed to have a girls' night at my house last week so I bought some strawberries and chocolate for our little treat. The girls' night didn't happen, but we have enjoyed some serious chocolate covered strawberries this week. Today the boys ate the strawberries and I ate the chocolate off of them. It was perfect and we were all disappointed when they were all gone.

10) The Adirondacks are GONE! - LT put our Fort Mill High School Ag project Adirondack chairs on the curb last night with signs that said "free for the taking." Less than 30 minutes later, one of our neighbors came walking over and he asked me if we were really giving them away and I said yes. He went and asked his wife if she wanted them and minutes later he carried them back to his house. They're still sitting beside their house and I think Bailey's a little confused about the whole process. He asked about them a couple of times when we played outside tonight. It's amazing how quickly people will take free things off the curb, isn't it?

Ten Things Tuesday

There are so many things that I could blog about, but since today is Tuesday, I'll stick with my 10 things and maybe squeeze in some of those other things as part of my list.

1) 2 Days of VBS down, 3 Days and a celebration night to go! Day 1 of VBS about made me wacky, but we made it through and no children were lost, misplaced or sent home with the wrong parents! It may be painful at times, but I'm learning a lot about this whole process.

2) Getting to host our friends, Jed and Matt, and hear a little SC twang yesterday. We had a great time chit chatting and reminiscing about people and professors we knew from our days at NGC. We gave them a grand tour of El Paso and enjoyed a Rudy's dinner. Yum!

3) Anticipating my new Vera bag! I took advantage of the Vera Bradley sale last week and ordered myself a new bag and some gifts. Now I can't wait to get them.

4) Not having 2 hours of VBS work to do tonight. I managed to get all but one little task taken care of this morning so I can relax a little bit more tonight than I have in about 2 weeks! LT will be grateful, I'm sure!

5) Little boys who are social enough to enjoy having visitors. Bailey was in tears when Jed and Matt left this morning. He had his shoes on and backpack ready. I think he was hoping he was going to be joining them for their journey. Maverick got up from his nap yesterday and climbed right onto Jed's lap and snuggled for a few minutes.

6) So many people who have stepped up to the plate to make VBS possible this year.

7) Checking the mail for the first time in 3 days. I love checking the mail, but have forgotten to do it the past few days. That's just how busy and preoccupied I've been.

8) Preschool workers and staff who love my little boys and are so super patient even when they're having bad attitudes. I don't know how they do it day after day, week after week!

9) A clean house!! Yesterday was my housecleaner day!!! Yeah!!! Now I just need to fold the piles of clean clothes I've created over the past few days.

10) A new camera that I've not even had time to unwrap the accesories for. Once I get all that done, I'll post some pictures from my new camera.

Ten Things Tuesday

1) Being introduced to a El Paso dive hamburger place called "Rosco's." They have no menu and only accept cash. The entire restaurant is about as big as my living room. The waiter asked me what I wanted and I told him I had never been there before and then our Worship Pastor ordered me a cheeseburger basket. You can either get a hamburger basket or cheeseburger basket with your choice of fries or onion rings. That's the entire menu!

2) Listening to the Wade boys talk Army. LT's cousin who's stationed here at FB came over tonight to take UJ out to dinner. I have no idea what they're talking about.

3) Not being on 'scare-y mon (st) er' duty tonight. Bailey watched a Curious George episode yesterday where George things he sees a monster and it's really a shadow. It has made some impression on Bailey. I had to lay in bed with him until he fell asleep last night and for about 5 minutes he mumbled non stop about George and the monster. I told him it was just a shadow and he said 'not a sha-ow.'

4) Having new music to give to my piano student today. He got lots of homework so hopefully he'll be more likely to practice more since he has more to practice. We'll see!

5) Things are coming together for VBS. Just 2 more weeks of sleepless nights and we'll have the finished product!

6) Tomorrow is my day off and I think we're going to the mall. Yeah!

7) My sister being available and willing to come here to stay with the boys while I go to camp with the kiddos from FBC.

8) Anticipating the big formal event on Friday. I hope I can zip up my dress after the week of eating like a little piggy that I've had so far. Yikes!!

9) Ice Cream. I love Ice Cream and found the best Breyers double churned fat free chocolate cookies and cream at Albertson's last night. It's just the right thing for my nightly chocolate and sweet craving.

10) We almost have orders - almost. Orders means we know to some extent, I can't really say exactly because these things are never exact and always subject to change, what LT will do next and where. When it looks like we know for positive, I might be inclined to share.

Ten Things Tuesday

1) LT has been home for 4 days! Gotta love the Army for 4 day holiday weekends.

2) Bailey's complete fearlessness of the pool at our friends' house yesterday. The little fish needs to take swimming lessons or I'll be an absolute wreck with him near pools!

3) I currently have a headache from the depths - I think I'm supposed to be thankful for that, too, right?

4) Two little boys who are full of energy and excitement over just about everything. If only some of their energy could rub off on me some how.

5) LT just handed me a hot cup of decaf coffee. I think I'll keep him!

6) Coming home from work to the sound of my new little vacuum.

7) 15 minutes alone in a tanning bed! The children have done a doozy on my ability to get nice and brown during the summer. Oh the freedom of just going tanning whenever before we were blessed with them.

8) The no hassle replacement treadmill we got yesterday when 2 screws broke on our other one. Apparently that's a common occurance on these things. I'm heavy, but not that heavy!

9) The smell of lighter fluid and charcoal and the steaks that came with those lovely smells. I really do like the smell of a lighter fluid started fire!

10) Making sure we retrieve all trains necessary for a good night's sleep. Why is a tub of metal trains in the bed so comforting? Ask my 3 year old! I'm sure he has some explanation.

Ten Things Tuesday on Wednesday

1) Refrigerated Air Conditioning - Today's high temperature was 102! I can't imagine sleeping in our old house with the infamous swamp cooler. I laugh now to think that we lived a full, hot summer sweating with the swamp cooler.

2) Listening to Bailey sing the VBS theme song for this year. He mainly gets the last words of the lines, but wants to hear the song again and again.

3) Looking forward to the summer lineup of Reality TV - Next Food Network Star, Next Design Star, Sheer Genius and Tori and Dean!

4) Having the day off with no big plans other than a trip to the Commissary.

5) Going to bed before 10 last night. Too bad I'm up early this morning!

6) Snuggling with Bailey in the mornings. Bailey's started this thing where he comes and gets in bed with me when he wakes up. He pulls the blankets up over him and lets me put my arm around him for about 10 seconds before he decides he wants a granola bar! I take what I can get.

7) Swinging Maverick in his swing because it keeps him and Bailey from fighting with each other and keeps Bailey from showering him with dirt.

8) Trusting God to be in control of the transition we're going through at our church.

9) Being content staying in El Paso for another year - at this point - the Army could change it's mind by the end of the day, as has happened about 10 times in the past month! For now, I'm content with staying here.

10) Curbside trash pick up. I can hear the trash trucks outside right now so that reminded me how nice curbside trash pick up is! When I lived in Fort Mill while Jake was away at his training schools, we had to take our trash to the dumpster which for me was a difficult task being pregnant and having a 1 year old who wasn't cooperative on the short walk to the dumpster. Thankfully, God intervened and a friend came on Saturday's and took my trash. What's even wilder is that I never even saw him come get our trash!

Ten Things Tuesday

1) A car that started with no issues today. Jake had to replace my battery and some electrical thing last night because the van wouldn't start when I was getting ready to leave the church yesterday. Thank the Lord for our facilities guy and his nifty little jumper cable contraption.

2) More changes in our assignment plans.

3) God's provisions for all of our needs in more than abundant ways.

4) Knowing Bailey really enjoys his friends at school because he doesn't want to leave when I go pick him up.

5) Playing Ring Around the Rosey with Bailey Again and Again. He likes to fall down at about the 'pocket full of posey' part!

6) A cute blonde haired blue eyed boy who is constantly sabotaging his big brother's toys.

7) Anticipating a very productive Wednesday. I've got a list of errands a mile long!

8) The mountain of dirty laundry we have that proves we have far too many pieces of clothing.

9) Being introduced to a new mexican restaurant here in EP.

10) Knowing the weekend is only 3 days away!

Ten Things Tuesday

1) Watching God's perfect plan unfold for us in a very different way than we imagined! Hopefully before long I can share openly how the Lord is moving in our lives

2) Getting to be married to a man who carries out his duties for our country with honor and integrity and seeing him applauded for that

3) The thrill of saving a few dollars at the commissary with a couple of coupons

4) Adventures in grocery shopping with Bailey and Maverick

5) Anticipating Friday's Kids Night Out and a meal at a sit down restaurant!

6) My new short hair cut that is oh so easy and fast. I highly recommend it.

7) Pondering the possibility of hiring a cleaning lady a couple times a month. Never thought I'd be able to seriously consider that an option. Jake's requirement is that she does laundry and irons his church clothes. I'll keep you posted on whether or not this dream becomes a reality!

8) Bonding with the treadmill at 6:30 this morning. I gained a few pounds while on vacation.

9) Reading the book Sacred Marriage with the LT

10) Little boys who sleep through the night.

Ten Things Tuesday (on Wednesday)

Sorry for this being posted a day late. Yesterday was a busy day!

1) Spending one last dinner with our friends the Rutledges who will be moving next week to Burleson. God brought Sundi into my life just when I needed a good friend. She's been that to me for now and I pray God will grow our friendship even more as they venture into the great unknown called God's plan for their lives!

2) My friend the Old Navy card and purchasing a few 'fat' summer clothes to get me through a few months. I tried not to purchase too many clothing items last year because I didn't expect to be at this same weight again, but I've not been a diet success story this year so I just bit the bullet! I am a little miffed that for the first time since I've been a cardholder, I was not randomly selected to receive the stuff and save 20% off bag.

3) Seeing Maverick's smiling face on the big buggy at the CDC the past 2 days when I've gone to pick him up. Bailey loved his buggy rides at fbcfm so the buggy always reminds me of Bailey's days with the Mathises in the 1s room. Bailey got special privilege and got to stay on the buggy for every trip that was made because he threw such a hissy when they tried to get him off.

4) Bailey using his precious little manners. He's very good at saying "No thank you."

5) Hair color in a do it yourself bottle and an LT who's not too much of a man to help apply the last bit! He used to pull my hair through a cap to highlight it until it got too long for either of us to survive that agony one more time.

6) My 'second to none' (that's what his guys in his battery call him) LT husband who packed my bag for our trip for me last night. I feel highly disorganized going into this trip, but there's always Hamricks, Old Navy and Target for when I need that one thing that I forgot or the shoes I'm already planning to purchase when we get there. What's a vacation without shopping?

7) Getting to watch Polar Express when it's 90 degrees outside. "Hot hot ho we've got it" Nothing like hearing "You better watch out" in April!

8) Possibly having a diagnosis for Bailey's food related break out - could be red or yellow dye. Thanks Ashley!

9) Too much to do and not enough time to do it!

10) Anticipating 4 hours on a plane with 2 children, 3 and under, and their daddy. I've been told there will be no drama allowed on this trip! Apparently Jake and I have never travelled and me not gotten in a tiz about something. I guess I have a track record. My last trip with the boys alone was quite a doozy!

Ten Things

1) Not needing a new brake job!

2) Happy Hour at Sonic!

3) My new treadmill!

4) Hope and Peace in the midst of great transition!

5) How Great is our God!

6) Being able to rest in the fact that God already knows my todays and tomorrows!

7) Waking up early to drop the hub off for his field trip to AZ!

8) Looking forward to pizza with friends!

9) The smell of clothes washed in Wisk!

10) Starbucks gift cards!

Can you list 10 things you're grateful for today? Join the fun with Xbox wife!

Ten Things Tuesday

1) My 2 boys who prefer to dig in the dirt instead of playing on expensive, massive playground equipment.
2) Coke Cake Cupcakes - YUM!
3) My husband who comes home from work in the mornings so that I can take a quick and peaceful warm shower.
4) Perfect blue skies and sunshing
5) Teachers at the CDC who love my little boys even when they act like little toots!
6) Bailey's first official tinkle on the potty today! Yeah for teachers who help potty train!
7) The Southwest Chicken Salad is back at Mickey D's.
8) Having so many items of clothing that it doesn't matter how much is dirty, there's always something clean!
9) Anticipating the Biggest Loser tonight!
10) Knowing our country is free because we have great leaders like my Hub, the LT in place!

Thanks to Xbox Wife for this great carnival of Thanksgiving! You should join in on the fun. Find out here!