What Ian is up to these days....

Here is an article about what Ian has been doing the past few days and is continuing to do.

Joint At-Sea Training the Highlight of 17th U.S. – TNI-AL Exercise
by CARAT - Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at 8:42am

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The arrival of three U.S. Navy ships to Jakarta Wednesday marks the beginning of the 17th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia exercise.



The first phase of CARAT features events ashore, such as engineering and damage control training exchanges, joint medical, dental and civic action projects, and joint community service projects at local schools. The at-sea phase of CARAT focuses on developing maritime security capabilities in areas such as maritime interdiction, information sharing, combined operations at sea, patrols and gunnery exercises, and anti-piracy and anti-smuggling exercises.



“We’re looking forward to operating at sea with TNI-AL (Indonesian Navy) ships this year,” said Rear Adm. Thomas Carney, Commander, Task Force 73 and the Executive Agent for the exercise. “The TNI-AL have a lot of experience with counter-piracy operations and patrolling some of the world’s busiest waterways, and we’re eager to practice these skills together,” he said.



“The U.S. Navy and TNI-AL have developed a robust training plan, and we expect both Navies will learn a lot about each other throughout the exercise, but particularly at sea,” Carney added.



Approximately 1,600 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel are participating in CARAT Indonesia 2011. U.S. Navy ships from Task Group 73.1 include the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), the guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83), and the frigate USS Reuben James (FFG 57). Additional participants include an amphibious landing force of Marines from 2nd Battalion, 23rd Marines, U.S. Navy Seabees, and P-3C Orion and SH-60 Seahawk aircraft.



CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the Armed Forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. Additionally, Vietnam participates in a CARAT-like skills exchange.

And here are some pictures:)


110527-N-XR557-014 JAVA SEA (May 27, 2011) USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Rueben James (FFG 57), and two Indonesian Navy corvettes, KRI Diponegoro and KRI Imambonjon perform maneuvers at sea for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2011. CARAT 2011 is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katerine Noll/Released)

JAVA SEA (May 27, 2011) USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Rueben James (FFG 57), and two Indonesian Navy corvettes, the KRI Diponegoro and KRI Imambonjon perform maneuvers at sea for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia 2011. CARAT 2011 is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Katerine Noll/Released)

Missing Ian

Ian has been really busy the past few days so we have not gotten to communicate much and I have been missing him. I think it has not helped that Jacob has been a holy terror and each day seems to be worse. But Saturday morning I woke up to a email from Ian telling me to listen to this song by Josh Turner called Soulmate. He told me that he heard it while working and that it says everything that he feels about me. Of course no warning about how much tissue I would need. Here is a link to the song on youtube:



And here are the lyrics:

Soulmate
Until the end of time
You're my soulmate
I'll love you till I get to heaven's gate
And if I go first sweetheart
I'll wait
'Cause I know I'll never find another
Soulmate

Your love
There's no telling where I'd be
Without your love
Stumbling in the dark
Would be pretty rough
When I get down you're the one
That lifts me up
I thank the Lord above
For your love

[Chorus:]
In this day and time
The right one is hard to find
Girl, that's why I'm holding on to you
Each and every night
When we turn out the light
[- From :http://www.elyrics.net/read/j/josh-turner-lyrics/soulmate-lyrics.html -]
There's no mistaking what we have is true

Soulmate
I hope that we grow old together
Solemate
In the good and bad
Even through the heartache
We've got a special bond
That'll never break
'Cause darling you and I are
Soulmates

[Repeat Chorus:]

Soulmate
Until the end of time
You're my soulmate
I'll love you till I get to
Heaven's gate
We've got a special bond
That'll never break
'Cause darling you and I are
Soulmates
Yeah, I know I'll never find another
Soulmate


I just love that man. And he truly is the person I was meant to be with. I can't believe that next Wednesday we will be together for 14 years. Two more years and it will be half my life! Pretty crazy for a 30 year old to be able to say. Even with things a little uncertain right now with this deployment and the Navy and the baby I know at the end together we will be okay. I miss you Ian!

Another long weekend....

Happy 2nd trimester as of yesterday. Unfortunately still feeling horrible. On the positive side I have not actually thrown up in a week it is just almost constant nausea. It is starting to get depressing. I am trying my hardest to just keep going. We ran to Target yesterday for diapers and essentials but other than that have been in the house since Friday. I did "make" the boys muck out the van and scrub it down and vacuum while Owen took his nap yesterday. That wore me out being out in the car sweating but I am so glad its done. Today I was sick all day from before I even got up until finally about four tonight. The boys had been begging for a treat so I made them a chocolate cake, let them pick the color of frosting and put sprinkles on. It turned out to the be UGLIEST cake I have ever made. Its laughable especially once I turned my back and Owen ripped a big hole in it. The boys loved it though so thats all that mattered.

The cake after the lovely sprinkles and Owen's huge hole.

Owen sheepishly walking backwards out of the kitchen to get away from me after I caught him.....

Enjoying his cake.
We got a few more zucchini and some beans tonight too. I can't wait to make some yummy beans.

I got to chat with Ian most of the day yesterday and even got a phone call so that made my weekend. We miss him. Time is steadily going by though and hopefully before we know it he will be home. I have a doctor's appointment on Wednesday to see how the "grand finale" is doing. I hope I will be able to schedule my "big" ultrasound after that appointment. I am dying to know 1. that "it" is healthy and 2. what the sex is so I can get to preparing.
Here is a picture of Nathan with his lost tooth holding his tooth fairy doll he brought home from school. When the kids loose their first tooth they bring home a bag with the doll and books about teeth and there is a binder where they write about how they lost their tooth and draw a picture. He is pretty darn proud of his lost tooth. I think the one next to it should be out within a couple of weeks. I guess the tooth fairy better stay stocked with a dollar bill to be safe!

Garden Pictures for Ian...proof I have not killed things...YET

Ian requested pictures of "his" garden and this is the easiest way for him to get big batches of pictures. We have tons of zucchini. Holy cow. I think two plants was too much. I am going to have to start giving some away! I knew there were two good sized ones a week ago but then got so sick and then it rained so I did not go out there for a couple of days and I remembered this morning and thought they were going to be big but I had no idea they would be THIS big!

I did not think there were any actual tomatoes yet but one of the plans does have a few! Yay.

The beans are doing great. I have no idea if they are done or not or how you know? Help Grandpa Jim and/or Ian.


The cucumber is flowering too. I think its kind of in a small space with those monster zucchini plants. The carrots look well too.


So there you go folks so far I have not killed everything off. Just give me some time:)

USS Howard in action!

I wanted to share these couple pictures that have been posted on Facebook of Ian's ship. This is the caption that went with the arial view of the ships:

GULF OF THAILAND (May 17, 2011) U.S. and Royal Thai Navy ships steam together in formation during a photo exercise, which wrapped up the at-sea phase of Cooperation Afloat and Readiness Training (CARAT) Thailand 2011. The ships included HTMS Taksin (top left), HTMS Khirirat (left center), HTMS Sukhotai (bottom left), USS Reuben James (FFG 57) (top center), HTMS Phuttalertlanapalai (bottom center) and USS Howard (DDG 83) (right). CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia to strengthen relationships and enhance force readiness. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Lily Daniels/Released)

Pretty neat to get to see and hear what they are involved with! I don't know what people did before technology but I for one am so thankful for it!

We love you Ian! The boys will be thrilled to see these pictures in the morning.

A side note, Nathan has croup. Poor kid slept for three hours today and had a fever a good part of the day. I am keeping him home tomorrow for sure and will see if he is up to going on Friday. At this point I am just praying none of the rest of us get it and that he can get some good sleep tonight.

Nathan and Under the Sea

Nathan's class has been learning about all kinds of animals/fish from the sea. They have done a lot of projects and today was the grand finale of the section. They did a whole production. Each child had a little part introducing an animal or fish they learned about and then they sang songs in between set to familiar tunes. It was REALLY cute. One of the mom's helped to paint a tshirt for each of the kids. They were ADORABLE! I told Nathan we will save his shirt so that when he is my age he can look back at it. He looked at me like I am crazy but its THAT cute! Nathan knew his part and he is so LOUD all the time but he got up there and barely whispered. His little face flushed and you could tell he was SO nervous. He did good though.

Owen was a little pill but made a friend who was also being a pill:)

Here are some pictures:

For Daddy:)

Jacob lost another tooth last week. He came out to the car and said "mom prepared to be AMAZED" and flashed me a big smile. I had no idea one was even that loose. Then he proceeds to tell me with much enthusiasm that he "ripped" it out during Science. Lovely. I bet his teacher LOVED that. So here are a couple pictures of his new smile.


It has been a LONG few days here. I have been so sick. Thankfully tonight I am feeling a bit better. I am praying it continues. The boys had some good times though this weekend. They go to go to the base with our friends/neighbors and see the movie HOP on Friday night and then Saturday my friend watched the three boys so I could go get groceries without having to fight with all of them. I was feeling awful and on the verge of throwing up already so it was a HUGE blessing for her to do that with me. Owen loved playing with Brylie and the boys played PS3 games with her boys. They were less than thrilled to see me when I returned:)

Owen has been doing a bit better. He wears me out. That kid is into everything! I told Ian we should have named him Dennis! (as in Dennis the menace). Ian laughed and I was half serious. Maybe thats a name for the boys list (NOT). Owen was in quite the mood today it has either been SUPER happy or SUPER NOT happy. Earlier this morning he put on the kids' Indiana Jones hat and was dancing around the room in his diaper. At one point he started bowing and saying "thank you thank you" I cracked up and took a shot with my phone.

Then I finally got around to taking him to get his hair cut. He was really looking shaggy. He asked to take Ian's hat with us and carried it and sat with it. Not sure why he wanted it but I figured no harm. It was so cute seeing him sitting there holding it I had to take a picture. He loves his daddy. At nap time today he wanted to say a prayer and he said one all by himself. He said "Heavenly Father, bless Daddy, Amen." I was not sure if I wanted to laugh or cry it was just so sweet. As much of a pain as he can be he is the first one at night to say scripture mommy! (we are trying hard to read one chapter each night as a family) and then prayer mommy! (family prayer) or else he won't go to bed. Puts things into perspective when I don't feel like doing it but my two year old is asking to.



I hit the 13 week mark in the pregnancy Saturday. This is my last week in this first YUCKY trimester. I keep praying that by the end of this month this sickness will be a thing of the past. I am looking forward to the next trimester, feeling movements, getting to find out the gender! I have zero patience and want to know NOW. Ian finds it quite amusing. I however do not:) I think it will be more real when I start to feel movements and then of course know what "it" is. Nathan asked the other day with all seriousness if its a girl can we name her pudding. I laughed and he was offended. Oops. Sorry that name is not on the list. Ian got a kick out of it though. I have a feeling its going to be quite the email war with him over this one's name. I plan to win though (that is your warning Ian:)

Almost 5 weeks down.....now if email will just keep working things will be great!

BEST NEWS!!!!

Jacob got offered a spot at Nathan's school this morning. I am doing the happy dance and so thankful! We have prayed for a year and a half that he would get in with him. No more two schedules (one on year round one not) no more two schools. They can hopefully ride the bus together and BE together which is something that most days they both ask for. No more dealing with one or the other upset because the other one is off while one is at school. Only ONE early day a week not two to screw up Owen's (and the new baby's) naps. I am THRILLED! The only thing that could make it better is if email was actually working so I could tell Ian. He is going to be SO happy.

I can't WAIT to tell Jacob and Nathan!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day! It has been kind of a rough day but I got these beautiful flowers from Ian yesterday with a sweet message that made me miss him even more and he kept his promise and called and spoke to Jacob and Nathan before bed last night for a few moments so I got to hear his voice too just for a bit. And I woke to a few emails from him this morning. I can't ask for much more than that. I told him I miss his spoiling me and breakfast in bed:) I am hoping the rain stays away so I can take the boys to the park to play with a few kids this afternoon. A bunch of "deployment widows" from church are going to get together for Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day! I can't believe that this is my 9th official year and I can't believe that this time next year I will have a six month old. I don't know which one leaves me flabbergasted more at this point!


I had to add these last two of Owen. I have needed to clean Ian's fish tank for over a week and have just felt so awful and have been trying to rest when Owen rests and did not want to clean it with him awake or in the dark but finally yesterday I said forget it I'm doing it so he "helped". What a pain but in the end it got done. Unfortunately one fish was dead this morning. I don't think anything I did did it but I still feel bad. I hope I can keep the rest alive until Ian gets back....I am doing my best. I had Owen clean the outside of the tank with a Mr. Clean eraser. He just thought he was so cool:) So I told him we could take a picture so Daddy could see what a big helper he is. He is saying TA DA in one of them. He is a pain but he sure is cute.

Happy Mother's Day from Nathan

Owen and I went to Nathan's school for his Annual Kindergarten Mother's Day Celebration. It was so cute. They made all the mothers crowns, pictures and flowers. They sang really cute songs and at the end all the moms got up and we sang and danced the chicken songs with them in our crowns. I am sure that was a sight to see! It was quite the challenge with Owen. He demanded I hold him so here I am trying to dance in this crowd holding Owen. Nice. Unfortunately waking Owen to go to the shindig has transformed his wonderful mood into a not so favorable one. But tis life.

Here are a few pictures:)


Self portrait of me and my crown

Showing off my flower and crown picture by Owen:)

The only picture I could get of Nathan singing

Owen did pretty good this time sitting and listening.

A close up of the crown:)

Me and Nathan after all sweaty from dancing the chicken dance.

A look at all my goodies from him. He made a cute little coupon book, the crown and flower plus a poem with his hand print and some candy to boot. He is very proud of himself and I am proud of him too. It was a very cute little experience.

After we came home I let him and Owen have an ice cream. I went out to get my water bottle out of the Van and came back to this. After cleaning for four hours today the first reaction was me wanting to have a fit then I just laughed and grabbed the camera. What can you do? Now if they could only get ALONG!

Today.....

Dare I say it but after 8 weeks I finally feel almost normal today. I had a couple hours of gagging this morning and each time I eat I get that way for a bit but I am functioning. It is amazing and exhausting at the same time. I decided to take advantage of it and cleaned four hours straight. Every floor down here has been swept mopped etc etc. among other things and zucchini bread is making the house smell good cooking. I am beat now but it was worth it. Owen of course wanted to help so here he is steam mopping and "talking" to daddy on my old cell phone. All week he has carried that phone around calling his dad:( BUT he seems to finally be over his cold he had and yesterday and today he has been in SUCH a better mood. I hope it continues. He and I are headed to Nathan's school in a few hours to see Nathan sing for Mother's Day. So stay tuned for more pictures!

Gardening

Before Ian left he had a great garden going. So far I have kept things alive. There are blossoms on the bean plants and tomato plants but so far no actual vegetables. However the zucchini has exploded. I picked the first one today and Owen is modeling it for you.