Life Happening.

I'm a list-maker.  I have about 34,097 lists around my home.  I love writing them, I love marking things off, I love re-writing them.  I have a great friend from college (hi Ashley!) who sends me cards in the mail ever-so-often and we communicate to each other in bullet point format.  It's the quickest way to catch up since there are SO many things that we miss out on in each other's lives and it brings me to my happy place of writing lists.  Occasionally, I'll sit down to write a blog and realize that I simply cannot wrap my mind around ONE topic for an entire blog post. ha! Being a mom of two little ones has made me an excellent multi-tasker...and that includes my thoughts.  Hardly ever do I focus on just one thing at a time...there is so much to be done around here!  So, without further ado...my blog list.

• Y'all, get yourself to the closest PWOC and get involved.  This is for my military spouse friends of course, but seriously.  Best decision I have ever made in this little military life that we have.  I have met some of the absolute greatest women who challenge me and encourage me.  I love these women and look up to them as friends, moms, and Army Wives.  The post we are at now is very large in comparison to most and while I'm an outgoing person, I was terrified to walk in on the first day to hundreds of women I've never met before.  But one of the things I love most about God is that He meets us right where we are....shaking knees, screaming baby on hip and all.  I'm floored at how He has orchestrated it and put me in the exact class I need, with a teacher who I could listen to for hours, and some great friends who are in the same "life bracket"!  It is a powerful community and I'm so thankful for God directing my steps into the chapel a couple months ago!  
• Since we have moved here our lives have turned into one huge tornado spiraling bigger and bigger!  Our weekends are slam-packed full with visitors, traveling, and events.  And let's be honest, I love every minute of it!  I am a little terrified that I'm going to look back and realize I didn't cherish these days with my boys enough.  But all these events and visitors are what will make my boys' childhoods so enjoyable and make memories that cannot be replaced!  I know it!  
• Which leads me to this...our season of life right now is hard.  I'm not complaining, I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING.  But it's tough and you mommy friends know what I'm saying.  I've got a very strong-willed two year old and a curious (almost) 10-month old!  They are at the age of learning to take turns and share toys.  That's enough to make any mama scream!  Thankfully, I'm aware that is indeed "just a season" and this too shall pass...

• I could go to the pumpkin patch every day of the week!  I looooveee it and I'm pretty sure my oldest has a thing for them too! 

• My parents were in town this past weekend and let us have a little "date night".  This was only the SECOND time Greg and I have been out to eat alone since becoming parents almost 2.5 years ago!  It was very much needed.  We met up with some friends who were stationed in Alaska with us (and Virginia) and now are here too!  It was a fun night of adult conversation and Greg and I ended up at Barnes & Noble for coffee and I made a wish list of a million books that I wish I had time to read!

• We jumped in head first on making this house our home immediately after closing, but have since not done a thing! It's giving me anxiety to not have curtains up in the playroom, pictures stacked up that need to be hung, and lack of furniture.  But it will get there I suppose...I'm trying to explain that to my OCD.  I just know that as soon as you get a home the way you like it, orders will be cut for a PCS. ha! and for my non-military friends, PCS is lingo for "move". 
•  My children both have two halloween costumes.  One for day and one for night.  Ridiculous.  Here's a little sneak peek at one of the two themes.

• I'm SO excited for Black Friday.  Last year I was busting at the seams with Anderson and we were living in a hotel room in the artic during the middle of our move so I didn't join in.  This year, however, I will be there!  Not sure who, when, or where...but I'll be there!  
• A 2,600 sqft home is all fun and games until someone has to clean it!  Feel me?

Until next time! xoxo

Thursdays.

Thursdays are my day.  I say my day, but this little cutie is along for the ride as well.  

It's so nice to have some one-on-one time with him and he's the best baby to take places!  Shopping Buddy in the making! 

Bennett started a 2 day/week preschool this year and it has been a wonderful change for him and our entire family!

I had forgotten how incredibly easy it is to take just one child out & about.  Can I get an amen from multiple children moms?  Anyways, we run errands and do a little shopping.  One of our usual stops is Target...for Starbucks and for the million other things we don't need.

Today, I was very observant about my fellow Target shoppers.  Most were moms like myself, 1, 2, 3 children piled in the big red carts.  Target is one big field trip for stay-at-home moms!  True story.  I have spent countless days wandering the aisles feeding Bennett popcorn from the cafe, grabbing a box of mum mums off the shelf and feeding them to Anderson, chugging my venti white mocha, oohhing and ahhing over everything, putting it all in the cart to only place it in an undisclosed location around the store because I have opted out of buying it.  I'm sure everyone does this.  No?  Just me?  

My observations from a stroll around Target today:

To the Mom(s) wearing yoga pants: you rock.

To the Mom(s) letting your child chew on a baby food package to keep them quiet: you rock.

To the Mom(s) bribing your toddler with chocolate: you rock.

To the Mom(s) picking up the trail of popcorn your child is leaving: you rock.

To the Mom(s) not picking up the trail of popcorn your child is leaving: you rock.

To the Mom(s) buying all the great home decor Target has to offer: you rock.

To the Mom(s) wishing they could buy all the amazing home decor: you rock too.

{I may or may not have been all of the above at some point in time}

Nothing, absolutely nothing makes me feel better than to see or talk to other moms who make me feel normal.  Motherhood is one continuous struggle, spiraling into a huge ball of emotions.

Today, I looked down at my leggings and rain boots, my cart full of stuff I couldn't buy, and my baby chewing on a snack container full of animal crackers, and felt awesome.  Because for once, I felt like part of the ranks.  We're all doing it, we're all struggling, but what's important is that we make each other feel normal.  And loved. And accepted. And incredible.  Because after all, that's what God made us to be.

And for the record, I ended up purchasing mayo, Dr. Peppers, and a gold mettalic writing pen that was on sale for $0.38.

Score. 

  

Picking up the pieces.

This blog...this poor, poor blog.  I have a love/hate relationship with it.  I love it because it is such an awesome outlet and platform for me.  Hate is a strong word, so maybe I don't hate it.  But I dislike the fact that I felt pressured to write (or not write) certain things on this blog.

I haven't signed-in to this account in about a year and half.  Last week I had a request on instagram telling me that she used to read my blog and was so excited to see me on IG.  I couldn't believe I still had followers.  Then, just today, I decided to log in and who would have thought I had comments of people checking in on me and my family.  SO wild.  You guys are the best! 

So, let's pick up the pieces, shall we?

Greg returned home from overseas safe and sound and I'm still praising Jesus for it.  I want to write a post about the deployment.  My thoughts on it now that we've lived through it.  I have a lot to say about it.

Here's my family.

That's right, there's 4 of us now!  When I left off back in 2012 Greg and I had one little boy and Greg was about to arrive home from deployment.  Guess what happens when your husband gets home from a year-long stint overseas?  Anderson Krew happens.

Who is now this happy, joyful, darling, perfect addition to our family, 9 month old.  

I can't fathom my life without these little pieces of me.  They are THE best.

  

We are no longer living in Alaska.  We've moved twice already since our time in AK!  I need a new blog name.  I'm still an Army Wife and so incredibly grateful for this journey.  

We bought our first house..it's gorgeous and we are slowly making it home.  We joined the "real Army" here at our new duty station and are slowly adjusting to long work hours, airborne jumps, commuting 30+ minutes to post, and rapid deployments.  Wouldn't change it for the world though...I'd live here forever if we could, but more on that later.  

Bennett is now a wild and cray-cray toddler.  No really, wild.  That boy is high strung and I must admit, he comes by it honest.  I love that quote on pinterest that mentions that moment when you realize you just yelled at your child for acting just like YOU! ha!  These terrible twos are rough on this mama...more on that later also.  But regardless, I'm crazy over him and know he's going to do big things in this world.  

To all of you who still check-in from time to time, thank you!  I love this little blog for not only connecting with all of you, but for the large part it plays in documenting our life.  I'm not promising I'll most every day, or even every week.  But I am hoping to take a little more time for me and pick back up some hobbies that I enjoy, including writing here. Blessings! 

Month In Review - #12 {March 2012}

Month In Review - #12 {March 2012}

This will be LAST Month In Review!  Holy Cow!

-Had some Girls Nights and had to say "see you soon" to some of my very best friends.  I have no words for how grateful I am to have these people in my life, especially during the deployment.  Being around them was hands down the BEST decision I could have made for myself and Bennett!

-Traveled to Tennessee to visit with my family one last time.  Bittersweet, but such a great time!

-Bennett got both of his top teeth in and they are adorable!  We did have a few rough days from them, but well worth it! 

-Traveled a long way :)

-Celebrated St. Patrick's Day by running in my first 5k since having Bennett.  I cannot tell you how much I love running.  I always have and it feels sooooo good to be back after taking over a year off with my pregnancy and Bennett's first few months.  A day without getting to run kinda feels like a waste.  I'm SO excited about the Mommy & Me gym here on post.  Bennett and I have found a great time to go each day and it's worked out wonderful so far!

-Went to watch the Dog Sled Races!  That was fun, but so so cold!  Bennett only tolerated about 10 minutes of it!

-Bennett and I both came down with a nasty cold/flu.  It was horrible!  I am so thankful it only lasted a week and we are both much better!

-Celebrated my baby turning 9 months old!  So crazy!  He was perfect at his 9-month well visit..post about that coming soon!

-Bennett started really attempting to crawl.  He would do it randomly, but never when I had the video camera out! Typical!

-We've gotten into a swing of things here in AK and it feels amazing!  It's so hard to believe that the last time we were here was during his first couple of months and I was going through PPD.  I keep having flashbacks of how life was then and it is something that I do not care to remember.  But I'm loving being back and it feels so good to be in our HOME!

Now, for such a pretty sight...

Happy Spring, Friends!!



Month In Review - #11 {February 2012}

Month In Review - #11 {February 2012}

(I'm a little bit late on this post..but better late than never.)

-Bennett started his first class at The Little Gym.  We went once a week for the month of February and each time he got more and more comfortable.  I do believe he would have enjoyed it more if he was crawling already.  Being in a class with other babies who crawled was frustrating for him because he wanted to GO!

-Bennett also took swim lessons once a week and graduated.  Can you tell I'm a proud Mommy?  We had lots of fun together splashing and playing.  I know he is young, but I do not want him to have a fear of water and I think the best way to avoid that is to give him lots of experience in it.  He loves bath time equally as much as the pool.  We are going to have so much fun this summer!

-Enjoyed some beautiful days at the park. The kid loves to swing.

-Enjoyed some fabulous Girls Nights to include an over-night sleepover with the Bests and Britty coming to town! 

-Celebrated Valentine's Day with my sweet little man.  We had a great day together and are looking forward to Daddy being home for the next one!

-I began a lifestyle change of eating healthier and running again!  It has been the greatest.thing.i.have.done.for.myself. this deployment.  I have missed running and I'm so excited to get back into it!

-Bennett started to TALK!  His voice is the sweetest sound I've ever heard!  His first word was "Dada" and the following week he began saying "Mama".  He can also say "Nana" which is my mom.  I could listen to him all day!

-I also began tanning again.  Operation: Greg is Coming Home is in full force!

-Attended a WCU Basketball Game with some fellow Dance Alum and had the greatest time!  Bennett loved the game, but was so exhausted after.  He had his first O'Malleys experience and I'm so excited to take him back in the years to come!  Especially for Homecoming!  I do love my alma mater.

-Bennett turned 8 months old!  2/3 of a year!  Not ready for this.

This is what the donut looked like the beginning of March...

On to MARCH:

-A few more Girls Nights.  I have no idea how to survive without them.

-Traveling :)

-St Patrick's Day!  And running in my 1st 5k since having Bennett. 

-Bennett turning 9 months old!

So excited! I honestly couldn't imagine my days getting any better..but I know when Greg returns home they will!  I am so blessed!

And lastly...found this quote on pinterest and had to share:

"Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight.  Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can possibly muster, and do it with no thought of any reward.  Your life will never be the same again."  - Og Mandino

Profound, huh?

Month In Review - #10 {January 2012}

Month In Review - #10 {January 2012}

-Bennett got his 2nd tooth on the 2nd day of the year!

-Went to Bennett's 6-month well visit and all looked great!  My baby weighed in at 16lbs 5ozs and 27 3/4 inches! 25th percentile for weight and 75th for height.  Long and lean. :)  These shots were by far the worst because I think he knew what was coming.  The crying didn't last long and he was knocked out as soon as we hit the road.

-We booked our plane tickets!  That means the time is getting closer!

-Visited our sweet friends Aubree and Brandt who are in the South from Alaska.  We can't wait to see them everyday again and have lots of playdates!  I think the boys are going to have so much fun together...maybe as much fun as us Mommys have!  I feel so lucky to have met such great people.

-Had a few Girls Dinners.  We love those.

-Celebrated Bennett's Nana's Birthday {my mom} by going out to lunch.  Bennett was such a sweetheart the entire time. 

-Celebrated Abby turning ONE!  We had a great time at her party and Bennett crashed as soon as we got in the car.  We love being here for moments like those.

-Bennett began Physical Therapy for his arms.  Very long story, but he's having a harder time learning to put weight on them.  We love our therapist and we are hoping to get him caught up to speed soon!

-He finally got the hang of sitting up on his own...this makes my Mommy heart soooo happy!

-Bennett turned SEVEN months old!

Overall, January was a VERY slow month for us!  I think with all the hustle and bustle of the Holidays being over, it leaves everyone wondering what to do with their time!  It certainly did for us, but we are so excited to have another month marked off the calendar!!  Look at our donut!!  It's a pretty sight...

February has a lot in store...

-Bennett starting his class at The Little Gym.  We are going to the Mommy & Me Class for 4-10 month olds!

-Bennett starting Swim Lessons.  I am SO excited about this!  Even if it means I have to get in a swim suit.

-A few Girls Nights on the calendar.

-Britty coming to town!  Soooo excited to see her!

-Valentine's Day.  And even though Greg's gone, I have the sweetest little Valentine you ever did see!

-Going to a WCU Basketball Game.  Let's be honest, I will be watching the Dance Team mostly.

-Celebrating Bennett turning 8 months old.  That's 2/3 of a year!!

Happy {Love} Month! But really, shouldn't they all be?

Loving...Not Loving.

I'm LOVING how long my hair is getting. I participated in the post-wedding chop as most newlyweds do and have regretted it ever since!  I am just NOT a short-hair person.  You combine my frizz with short and it is a recipe for disaster.

I'm NOT LOVING the fact that I cannot find any cute, decent priced camel colored riding boots!  I've had my trusty boots since fall of 2009 and they are really starting to show the wear.  I basically live in these boots during fall/winter and am so disappointed that I cannot find a replacement.

I'm LOVING my new pixie pants!  I found them at the most random place..Khols!  I have never been a Khols shopper, but seeing as how they carry Jennifer Lopez and Lauren Conrad I thought I would give it a try.  The ones I ended up buying were from Lauren Conrad and I am obsessed!  I want to go back and buy every single one of her pants..they fit me so well!

I'm NOT LOVING that Vampire Diaries only comes on once a week. How am I supposed to make it to the next Thursday?

I'm LOVING the fact that the sheer thought of how close we are to the end of this deployment puts me in tears! I daydream about Greg returning home 99.9% of my day.

I'm NOT LOVING that my son is growing up so fast on me and it's breaking my heart.  I packed away some of his clothes from when he was only a couple months old and it was emotionally exhausting! ha!

I'm LOVING Essie's fingernail polish in Marshmallow.  Doesn't everybody spend their Christmas money on finger nail polish?

I'm NOT LOVING how pale I am.

I'm LOVING my new Toms. Actually, I think I'm obsessed with my new Toms.

I'm NOT LOVING my "Mom Arms".  They need to go away, quick.

I'm LOVING that I gave Bennett his first comb-over. Makes me laugh so hard.

I'm NOT LOVING the fact that if I even have a sip of caffeine past lunch time then I am up.ALL.night.long! When will I ever learn?  I am a sweet tea addict apparently because my willpower to say "no" to it if I'm out to dinner is impossible.

I'm LOVING watching sweet Baby Bennett sit up on his own and explore.  His mind is so full of wonder.

I'm NOT LOVING that I'm really starting to just get downright SICK of being alone.  At the beginning of deployment I was scared to be alone.  In the middle, I was proud of myself for doing so well alone.  And now, I'm just sick of being alone. I'm ready to have someone to eat dinner with again.

I'm LOVING that there are swimsuits on the racks.  That means we are closer to warm weather and that means our first family vacation! So excited!

I'm NOT LOVING that I only have a few weeks left to shop at Target. Anxiety.

I'm LOVING my son's personality.  It gets no better.

bye bye.