Are you my mother?

Thats right, three years of wedded bliss. I feel like so much has happened in those three years that it has to be more like five or six because we couldn't possibly squeeze everything into just three.  Joel graduated from flight school, we got married, moved to california, , bought our first house,went through our first deployment and had our first baby.I think of these three years, he has been home for half of that. This year Joel is of course not home (we are 1/3 on him being home for this day), but he made sure I knew he was thinking of me. He sent me pink chocolate covered strawberries, a huge teddy bear (that Andrew loves!) and red roses, but best of all he wrote the sweetest note to me. Marriage is not easy. My parents made it look easy, so I have had to readjust my expectation, not in a bad way, but in a we are getting to know each other and what we need way. We are a work in progress. We are not perfect, and of course have had our ups and downs. As my love said in his ...

I ran 4 1/2 miles without stopping today. Not even for water (which I usually do). I use the word run liberally because it's really more of a jog; I am slow, and I am ok with it. Running used to feel like a chore, like oh great, why the heck am I doing this to myself again? Now, it is my sanity. It gets Drewby and I out of the house for an hour or so, and it is so awesome to feel healthy. I probably don't look a whole lot different on the outside, but I feel 100 times better on the inside so I don't even mind. I don't cringe when I walk by a mirror because I know at least now I am trying. Maybe tomorrow I will get a picture of Drewby and I on our daily outing. :) Little man got a hair cut today. Its technically not his first, but it was his first at a real Barber shop and she actually cut enough hair so you can tell. He looks so much older! My baby is turning into a little boy, and he is so handsome! :) I don't want to brag or anything, but my husband is kickin...

1 week down, 7 more to go...and then I get a few days and then he's gone again, this time for a full deployment. BUMMER. On a happy note, Andrew randomly takes steps. Not walking, but at least he's trying now! Silly boy, he is 14 mo old and doesn't walk yet! I guess I shouldn't be surprised he's always been a late mover. He does however have a hilarious speed crawl, I really need to get it on video before he stops doing it. Sometimes I can't believe how big he is, he is looking more and more like a little boy not a baby, and its a little sad. It's also a lot of fun. He has such a great little personality. He also still takes two naps a day...which is awesome! :) He has always been such a great sleeper, thank goodness! I have been spoiled, the next one will probably be the worst sleeper ever and I wont know what to do with myself! On a workout note I am doing really well! I have lost 7.5 lbs and 2 inches off my tummy, 1 inch on each of my thighs and 1/2 i...

I have been asked how the insane challenge is going, and honestly I am not following the "rules". A friend and I just do it a few times a week and then I run with my good friend BOB on the days I don't do it, and today I did both! I AM A CHAMPION! I have also had like 50-billion gallons of water...ok not that much but WAY more than I usually drink and believe me, my bladders working out too. I have also been off diet coke for 4 days now. It has been terrible, but I am still alive and so is andrew so I guess all is well. :) I am keeping track of my measurements and weight, both of which are pretty depressing but at least I am trying. I still have 7lbs of baby weight and 10 lbs of marriage weight. Really tho, I just want to feel comfortable in my own skin, I want to be healthy. So heres to a few good weeks and for the rest of forever.

Tomorrow starts insanity...the workout program. Some girlfriends and I are starting tomorrow and I am really excited to finally have some workout buddies! I seriously have work to do, like 30 lbs of work. Now don't you DARE say anything like "no you don't" or ,"oh my gosh there's no way you have that much to lose", because I am telling you there is. If i want a healthy, fit body I need to lose 30lbs of FAT. No joke. This is serious. Joel leaves for WTI on Sunday for 8 weeks, and I am giving myself those 8 weeks to lose 20 lbs. I know I can do it, I just need to DO IT! Yes I am motivated and this WILL HAPPEN! :)

    I am grateful for you, Andrew. You are the tester of my ever dwindling patience, the giver of sloppy wet open-mouthed kisses. The destructor of my home, and master of unfolding laundry. No one else can melt my heart and simultaneously drive me mad. I can not say, sweet boy, how much I have grown since God blessed me with your life. Being your mother is not always easy; I am not perfect, but know that I will never work as hard to be at anything else.     I hope I can be everything you need, I hope I can teach you to be a good man. I hope I can teach you to love others, have empathy for them, to embrace difference, but know who you are and where you are going. I hope I can  instill in you a respect for your country, and the knowledge that you come from a line of American heros. Heros who were and are willing to sacrifice everything. I hope you live with passion, learn to embrace your trials. Be strong, in who you are and what you stan...

Ever have one of those days where you are this close to going over the edge, bat s*** crazy?? Today was that day for me, my child screamed off and on all day, nothing I did was write or helped and I never knew what he wanted. Those who know my Andrew know that this is very a-typical behavior; so I know something is wrong, but I still found myself getting so frustrated with him. Then of course feeling terrible because obviously something is wrong, but still on the verge of losing my mind because some of the time he is acting totally normal. The past week has been a little off because he cut his two front teeth, was running a fever all weekend, and has not eaten like normal. I chalked all that up to the teeth, but now he's got a rash so I think it might be more. Poor baby and I will be taking a trip to the doctor tomorrow. He is sleeping now, thank the good Lord. I feel terrible for almost losing it...especially if we go in tomorrow and it is more than just teeth. BLAH This motherhoo...