Telling it like it is...

Summer is right, we usually blog about our kids, bragging on them and what not. But not really just tell it like it is. So today I feel like telling it like it is, I'm so sick of feeling the way I do. I feel so BLAH, I feel overweight and not happy about my appearance and I NEED to get off my butt and finally do something about it. My goal is to lose 20lbs this year while Luis is gone so I can WOW him when he comes home, although I will see him in June, if I can do it in half the time that would be great too. But I need the motivation!! Where does it come from? URGH.
My mom has joined Curves and I want to join with her but they dont have child care so we may have to flip flop with Ashlyn one watch her while the other works out so I need to get on that and FAST and not only that but stop drinking cokes and eating like a heifer! lol

And I need to start doing something productive with my time. I want to put Ashlyn into gymnastics and I want to use this time wisely and learn more about my camera and photography, I really really want to start my own business and my inspiration is Lisa Woods who has done this on top of being a mom and a wife and she's fantastic! I just dont know where to start. I want to take classes and strengthen my knowledge.

So now that I'm back in Austin and have all these resources at my disposal I need to take advantage of it and kick this year off with a new and fresh start!

Future Cheerleader

Isnt she the cutest? I was so proud, my little cheerleader. Thanks Britni for getting me a uniform for Ashlyn. I had fun dressing her up and watching her clap. We took her to the Brentwood Homecoming last Sat night. I think she will definitely follow in her mommies footsteps. It was good to see some old faces!

Britni's girls and Ashlyn

Big Girl

Yesterday was Ashlyn's first day and night to sleep in a full size bed! Since we are at my parents I didnt bring her crib and my mom has a full in that bedroom so I put up the side rails and she slept in a big bed last night. She did wake up several times but she never climbed off. She did for her nap but I miss the crib! ha. I cant believe she's growing up so fast.

So I'm wanting to get her into gymnastics. I was looking at Gymboree and The Little Gym. Can anyone recommend one?

I'm Home!!

FINALLY we made it to Austin! We left on Tuesday after the inspection for our house and drove as far as we could, then spent the night in Texarkana and drove the rest on Wed. Ashlyn was a trooper but the last couple hours she had had it with being in the car! ha. But she is so happy to be here, she has her own room and bed. She is also feeling much better.
Before we left I took her to the ER, her temp was getting higher so turns out she had an ear infection along with 102 temp, runny nose and cough, so I was able to get some antibiotics and Motrin for her, she was miserable but she's doing better now, still has a stuffy nose and cough but you can tell her spirits are much better. Whew!

My mom and I were unpacking all day. We had to clean out closets to make room for all our stuff, I still have so much stuff to find a place for. So I'll be busy this weekend.

Brentwood Homecoming is Saturday, anyone going? I think Debralea and I and her husband and maybe my sister will be going. If you are in town you should go! (hint hint VJ) :)

On another note, Luis is doing good. He has started flying and keeping busy. It's about 20 degrees there but it's like -10 in the air!

That's all for now! Hope everyone is doing well! Hope to see y'all now I'm back in town!

Not again!

Did I jinx myself by saying "watch...she is going to get sick when Luis leaves" because what happened....Ashlyn got sick right when Luis left and if you remember, when Luis was gone for 2 weeks, Ashlyn got sick. Ashlyn has rarely gotten sick but why is it every time Luis leaves then she decides to get sick :(
First of all she had this stomach bug and threw up and then rarely ate for days, then i got the bug but that only lasted for one day and now today she has been coughing and not sleeping. She woke up last night at 10, then at 3:45-5am! Barely slept for her nap today and tonight as already woke up twice within 2 hours, calling Mommy Mommy, it just breaks my heart.
Celine Dion is singing her to sleep right now, I'm hoping that will do the trick.

But I think this week has really taken a toll on her. With her daddy leaving, and us moving, the house is getting more empty by the day and it was a bit emotional last week, she knows change is happening but I guess just doesn't know how to deal with that. This whole week, her appetite has been off, her sleep has been off, she only wants to be at home, she gets very whiney and clingy when we go to a friends. So I know I need to have more patience with her, but I can say I'm ready for this week to be over with that's for sure.

On another note..Luis did make it to Afghanistan safely and is doing okay, of course he misses home and his baby girl very much.

Off to bed....goodnight

He called!

Luis called me tonight and was such a nice surprise! It was so good to hear his voice. He hasnt made it to Afghanistan yet but he will in a few days or so. Thankfully the commander's wife had already called me this evening to let me know that they had made it safely to where they were.
Just wanted to share, I am happy he called. I miss him so much already and of course he misses me but more so his baby girl. But as he said, it's already started, this year he means, and we just have this one year left to go and always we can make it through. I love him so much.

365 days to go

Well my baby is gone :( But we are doing just fine. We have done this before and we can do it again, thankfully this is the last time. I am so blessed to have such an amazing husband. he's my world. I know times like this are so hard, but we are so strong and our love and faith gets us through it everytime. I love him so much. Thank you for all your prayers and support that each of you have given us. I will keep updating. He did email me earlier today and was in Ireland for a stop. Not sure when he will arrive in Afghanistan but now the countdown can begin, I just pray it's only 12 months and no longer, but I really pray that it's less than that! here are a few pictures from the day before he left and the night of. And yes that's our bed in our living room! lol, we are moving, give me some slack! lol

The Love of my Life

Our little happy family

I love this man

A sad night

Bad Timing

Well 2 days before my hubby leaves, I thought we could go out, go to a movie or something today, well Ashlyn had other plans, she's throwing up :( She rarely gets sick and today she's felt miserable. I think it had to do with what she ate late last night. We were at a friends house and she had pizza with mushrooms, well...we saw those mushrooms today! lol. And since this morning she threw up 3 times today, and wont eat anything and just wants to lay in bed and watch her movies or have me hold her, so we have been bums today, which I guess is fine as long as we are still together being bums. Plus football game is on tonight, totally sucks having one tv in the house now (everything else in storage) so I'm stuck watching! thankfully I have this laptop.

On another note, the house is almost ready to go. It will be a lonely week this week but I'm praying it goes by fast and then I'll be on my way to TX, also hoping that goes fast, because driving 15 hours with Ashlyn isnt always fun. ha.

And my back is hurting really bad, has been for a month or so, not getting any better so I may go get it checked out here before I go back home. I think it's a pinched nerve or inflamation because it's constant and in one spot and wont go away :( Moving and lifting boxes isnt helping either!

Also, thank you all who have emailed me this weekend letting me know you are thinking and praying for us. I really appreciate that more than you know..you are my support system!

Last but not least a big Congratulations to my brother in law, Stephen and his wife Alexis , they had their baby girl, Aiden, today 8lbs 1oz and she's a doll!

Time needs to slow down

Just updating..... Luis is leaving Monday :( I'm dreading that day and I'm trying to make time go slower but it's just not working. This house is upside down and I have to get it all moved out and packed up by next week. I move out on the 22nd and head back to TX. I think I'll be okay once I'm back in Austin and settled in but until then it's stressful and emotional and I hate going thru this. Trust me, it never gets easier. This is our 4th time of just him going overseas, not to mention weeks in another state with training or weeks in the field but thankfully this is the LAST time! That's what is getting me thru this, just one more time, one more.

And I am blessed with the best family a girl could ask for. My parents have always helped me move from one place to the other, and now my brother and dad are driving up here to take all my stuff home and just be on the road with me as we drive back. I dont know what I would do without my family and not to mention, my friends, they are always so supportive, so thank you everyone!

I will just cherish every minute of every day this week and weekend until he leaves. And finish packing this house, and getting ready to move.
So, what's what we are up to in case you were wondering. Now where are all of you?? No one is blogging lately? I need something to read! ha

My hopes and prayers for 2008

Inspired by my friend Victoria... here are my hopes and prayers for 2008

I hope..... to get pregnant again before he leaves.
I hope..... to be strong emotionally while my husband is away from us this year.
I hope..... to live healthier, to eat better, take care of myself better
I hope..... to further my dreams in photography by going to school or taking classes
I hope..... to become stronger in my relationship with God, go to church
I hope..... to always strive to be a better wife, mother and friend.

I pray.... for the safety for my husband while overseas and all the soldiers fighting for us. May this crazy war be over with to bring all our men and women back home to their families.
I pray.... for the Lord to give me strength
I pray.... that Luis will be able to find a job to have lined up for when he gets home and gets out of the army.
I pray for the health of my family and friends

May you be blessed this new year and may all your hopes and prayers come true.

My sweet baby girl

Just had to share these pictures, they are some of my favorite recent ones! She is the light of my life!