NC State Fair- Oct 22 2008

The kids had so much fun at the NC state fair. We had corn dogs, funnel cake, cotton candy, candy apples. They rode several rides including their first roller coaster. I even got them on one of those spinny rides that even made me want to throw up. I went with my good friend Veronica and her 3 kids. We decided to keep our kids out of school for the day (bad moms we are...or prob the coolest moms ever) and take them to the fair because it was military appreciation day. We all were free admission which was really nice. The only negative part about the fair, well two things, was I would had liked to seen more appreciation for the military like stands or flags- or something patriotic. The other negative other thing was that it was really confusing at the fair. I had to pick up a friend from the airport around 5. So I was leaving 2 hours early so I could grab the kids dinner before the airport. Well we walked around for over an hour and kept going in circles at the fair. We were exhausted. Thats most likely because I stink at reading a map. But the signs and the map were all confusing. Plus we parked in a free lot but that always means its the farthest one from the fair. It all worked out though. Amy and her husband treated us to pizza for picking her up and we had dinner anyway!! We had a lot of fun. I had some requests for a recent pic of me since I've been trying to avoid the camera. Now that I am down to a size 6, I sucked it up and got in front the camera. Dont get used to it though till I am back down to my normal 2 or 4. hehe.

Trunk or Treat

We went to a trunk or treat party on Oct 17th (friday night). The kids had a lot of fun getting tons of candy. This is just one of the many parties they will be going to the next week or so. So you'll probably see more pictures just like these. Ben is a spider this year, Megan a pretty witch, Zack is batman- the face mask is way too big for him. Everyone keeps saying that I need to get a snow white costume. I almost bought one but then 80 bucks seemed a bit much. Anyone want to sew me one for cheaper? :-) You can see Megan's front loose tooth in the pictures. She looks so funny.

Trip home to Maryland

I went home to MD in August and got to catch up with family. We had a lot of good times. Some of the pictures are with my Aunt and Uncle and my cousin. Some other pictures are with my best friend from high school, Alix and her family. THe other pictures are with my sister and her boyfriend and his 2 great daughters.

Zack's football team

Zack decided to do flag football this fall. It ends on Nov 8th. Cliff was asked to be the assistant coach. Its funny because the team so far has only tied one game- the one cliff did all by himself. They have lost the other 2 games. Hmm..maybe he should be coach. haha. Zack was doing great in practice. He really liked being the runningback and quarterback. Both positions he did great. Then at the first game I knew he'd be nervous because the first thing he said when we pulled up was "man there are a lot of cars here." During that game, he decided to play with his flags, at one point chewed on the flag, and really enjoyed sitting on the bench so he could have strawberry gatorade (something he never really had). Luckily by the next game he was understanding more of the concept of the game. By the way, Aunt Rochell you asked what Flag football is...I am starting to understand now myself- instead of tackling they grab flags. Zack's position for the season ended up being center. He really enjoys this and he is the fastest on the team for hiking the ball. Hey, not everyone can be quarterback. He likes hanging out with the kids on the team and he has learned good sportmanship. Now he is asking to play basketball. Cliff is flying home really late the friday night before zack's last game to surprise him and the team. The team loves Cliff and the parents always ask how he has gotten so much patience. That is something cliff doesnt lack, but I do!! :-) Megan is signed up for dance class starting in 2 weeks. We get to go pick out a ballerina leotard, tights, shoes and also tap shoes tomorrow. Geez, that costs more than the class itself!! She told me how she can do splits...yeah ok Megan we'll see how it goes.
Here are some pics from some football games.

The end of summer

We enjoyed our first summer in North Carolina. Moving is never easy and we have definitely had our ups and downs here like everywhere else. This move for some reason has been the hardest for me. I think after moving 5 times in 7 years I am just tired of making friends then leaving them behind and making new ones. I do miss some aspects of San Antonio like our first house (that I know went to good hands), I miss the U of Texas, I miss my best friend there- Jeannie and a couple other good friends I made... I was really excited about moving back to the East Coast. But I have definitely lost a piece of myself since I have been here. I am not as motivated as I used to be about a lot of things especially in the effort to make friends. I have made a couple good friends but I am so bad about calling people. I guess military life has finally dragged me down and I am suddenly turning into that person that realizes home is where you sleep and that everything outside the home doesnt really matter. I realized this past week I am not going to become that antisocial person that I am turning into..hehe. So many changes are already taking place. I am getting my fat butt to the gym more starting next week (haha), I am going to call people more often, and I am going to start doing all the things I always love to. I realize we are here for 4 years and I need to make the best of it. Ok I am rambling. This almost sounds like I miss Texas and hate it here. That is definitely not what I am saying. North Carolina has been the best thing to ever happen to us. I love the small town we live in, everyone is so nice- total southern hospitality, fall here is absolutely beautiful and the weather is great, I love our house...etc. I have just been drained ever since we moved because the past 7 years have come and gone and it always takes a little piece of you away when you move. But that is the life of a true military wife. I dont think military wives who husbands never deploy and who never move truly understand the sacrifice and dedication it takes to follow your husband and change your life so they can support our country. I definitely feel like with every move a piece of myself disappears but at the same time, I grow and learn what really matters in this world- my family and friends who I can truly call friends and not someone who didnt make a difference in my life.

The kids have grown so much since we moved here. Zack is amazing. I had a parent teacher conference 2 weeks ago and his teacher said he is in 3rd grade reading now in 1st grade and that he is an Angel in class. Wow. My boy who used to give me headaches is now such a grown up boy. Megan is liking her school now to. Megan is also losing her first front tooth at 4- very strange. The dentist said she'll prob need braces around 8 years old. What?? I better get a job soon!! :-)
Here are some pics from the end of Summer.

Megan and Zack's birthdays

Wow, I have not posted in a long time. Wanna know why? One, I have no time lately to do much of anything for myself between Cliff coming and going, the kids in school, Ben teething, my Masters...etc...are you exhausted reading yet? We were planning for the past few months of Cliff deploying as well and then at the last minute it was changed to January. We are excited he'll be home for the holidays now but it is annoying at first to realize all the months of planning now has to be replanned. Got to love military life. It was a really good thing I had not told the kids he would be gone for the holidays. I have learned as a military wife to keep my mouth shut about a lot of things especially about telling the kids daddy is leaving. He left on Saturday for 3 weeks and we didnt even tell the kids till the day before. Oh the second reason I hadnt updated my blog was because I forgot my password to it. Yes, that happens when you are BUSY, you lose your brain as well.

Here are some pictures from Megan's 4th birthday and Zack's 7th birthday both were over the summer.