Whew!!!

I am sitting here not so patiently waiting for my final grade for my Economics class and doing a bit of reflecting.  The last 2 years has been a bit stressful,  being a full time mom, wife, student hasn't been easy and for those that add full time employee, I tip my hat to you because you are a better person than I.  But I did it.  I know I'm not done, I still have a few more years to finish but, I'm done with this leg of the journey. 

The point of this post is to thank those of you that have helped me along the way, whether it be emotionally, mentally, or physically, I appreciate you with all my heart. 

Thanks,
from Heather

Memorial Day

I am sitting here trying to absorb just what Memorial Day means to me and I don't think I can grasp it completely, or at least put it into words.

I have known some wonderful people that have served our country, Granddaddy, Uncle Max, Uncle BB....these are just a few of them that are no longer with us, this list goes on and on as does the list of my friends and family members that are still serving. I wonder if we, as a nation, have lost sight of what today really means.  I see posts on FB "Today isn't just about BBQs, Thank you to all the military men and women" etc but, it makes me wonder if these were passing thoughts posted quickly while running out the door with a cooler in hand to the nearest party.  Do you actually sit down and reflect on today and its meaning?  Whether you agree with the wars of yesterday, today, or tomorrow, these men and women truly do deserve to be respected and honored, everyday........


I still have an immense amount of pride when I see my husband put on his uniform every day.  I love seeing his posture change when he puts on his Blues, it gives me chills.  I love when I see a group of fresh faces at the BX, their excitement is contagious.  I love that our local High School constructed a wonderful memorial on its lawn called "The Arlington Project".  We went to see Avengers today and afterwards, we stopped and walked around the memorial, it was amazing.  I got tears as we were leaving and said just a very simple "Thank you for what you do" to Michael before getting in the car.  After all, that's all I can do, say thank you as sincerely as I possibly can because I mean it with all my heart. 

If you have ever put on a military uniform or plan to one day, I thank you with all that I am. 


"I do not know the dignity of their birth, but I do know the glory of their death. They died unquestioning, uncomplaining, with faith in their hearts, and on their lips the hope that we would go on to victory. Always for them: Duty, Honor, Country. Always their blood, and sweat, and tears, as they saw the way and the light" ~ General Douglas MacArthur



Thanks,

from Heather

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Today is a special day for military spouses, the appreciation for what we sacrifice, the acknowledgement that our lives are meaningful,  it's our day to sit back and let the love fill us up.  While I appreciate the sentiments, everyday should be "Spouse Appreciation Day", not just military and not one specific day, just as Mother's Day and Father's Day should be a 365 day event, so should today.

I will, however, step on my soap box for just a moment.  I love my job as a military wife!  I love my husband!  I love the United States Air Force!  I love my country!   I love the opportunities the AF has given us.  I love the people I've met, the amazing places I've lived, and the education I have received.  I also realize my family has paid a price for the lives we lead.  My children do not know their extended families very well.  We miss birthdays, Christmases, anniversaries, funerals, and other momentous events but I wouldn't change it for anything.  One day, I will look back and evaluate my life and I don't think I will have any regrets. 

Military spouses are tough!  We are resilient!.  We are fighters!  We worry, we cry, we get scared, we get angry, but we get over it!  We wake up everyday with a determination to protect our children from the pain they face daily in the absence of a parent.  We are proud!  We don't ask why...we know why, it is a calling our husband/wife answered willingly. 

I am proud to be who I am, representing the quiet forces that stand behind our men and women in uniform.  I appreciate the shout out and a day to celebrate and receive a bit of praise but, I don't need it.  Today is just another day, just as yesterday and tomorrow but I am thankful. 

So, to mark today, I would like to let all my military wives/husbands know that I am thinking about you today, I know what you have sacrificed.  I know how you feel.  I love you!

Thanks,

From Heather

Sky Diving (sort of)

I have an irrational fear of heights.  I don't know why or what caused it but, even the thought of going up a ladder sends shivers up my spine, this is why I'm glad I have tall men in my life, they can reach things for me.....but I love roller coasters (even though I am getting a bit too old to ride them because they make me hurt so much the next day) go figure!!!!! 

I know I did not go sky diving, I will save that for the crazy people I know (Marcia) but secretly, I'd love to have the courage to really go one day but in the mean time, I did something else fun today.  It wasn't near as scary as I thought it would be, I went to a sky diving simulator.  My friend Misti wanted to take me to do something for my birthday, first we thought maybe a shopping trip to Ikea but, we can do that any day, then I saw pictures she posted about going to a gun range but, Michael has his heart set on taking me, then... I had it!!!!  After a bit of apprehension back and forth on the phone, she booked our "flight"! 

It helped a lot that we had a little kid in our group, he was probably 6, I couldn't show fear if he just jumped in, literally!!!!  Misit went first... I started to freak out a bit, a minute really isn't that long (I don't know why my kids bitch when I say "In a minute!"  it's really over in a heart beat) and I didn't really pay attention too much to her first flight.  Before I knew it, I was on my feet, arms across my chest, about to go into the wind tunnel.  OMG, it was awesome!  Our instructor, Willo, was awesome.  He was hilarious and very encouraging.  It took a bit of time for us to find my "natural" flight posture but we got there and  I actually remembered it for the second flight and was able to control my body better. 

Misti's second flight was a bit interesting, she crashed  bumped into the wall but Willo was her hero (just for the day, her real hero will be home from his deployment soon enough) and caught her and got her back on her belly.  My second flight was just as fun and I can't wait to go again!

As soon as I figure out how to edit and reformat the video, I will load it up here.  Until then, here are some pics...

Next up, a zip line......
Thanks,

from Heather

Organization

My kids have no idea how to organize things!  Their rooms are a mess (to me), their backpacks are disgusting (to me), and the way they allow all the toothpaste to come trickling down the tube is well, gross (to me)!  I just spent the last 30 minutes with Madelyn explaining to her how much easier life would be for her if she would just put her homework/classwork/notes in the corresponding notebooks I bought for her at the beginning of the schoool year (those are lost, probably somewhere in her room).  I remember having this same conversation with Conner....several times, to no avail.  I want those words back (if we do, indeed, only have a set number of words to use in our lives) and the time.  I am pretty sure that if they could learn organization skills, they would be more successful in school.  Right now, at this very moment, Maddie's backpack is organized.  All the loose papers are neatly tucked away in the proper folder but I am left wondering how long this will last. 

As I was looking in the container of extra school supplies for folders, I made the comment to Michael, "Why are my kids so unorganized?"  To which he responded "Because they are my kids too!"  I appreciated this comment more than I realized, for that simple sentence is what drove me to write in my blog tonight.  It's his subtle way of apologizing because had he really said he was sorry, I probably would have blown up about his lack of organization as well but I didn't because, well, he knows!  He really does get me.  He understands that if everyone just put things where they belonged, I would be a much more pleasant person!

Thanks, from Heather

Photo Card

Contempo Grad Graduation

Create photo graduation invitations and announcements at Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Cooking

Y'all know I love to cook and I try new recipes all the time.  Today, I made a dessert (which is very rare) from scratch and I thought I'd share it.  It takes a while to make but is worth it, I do not know if you can substitute ingredients or not, it was great just the way it is. 

Stacked Apple Sauce Cake (wish I could remember where I got it so I could give the person/book credit)

3 cups all purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 cups unsweetened apple sauce
2 large eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
Cinnamon Whipped Cream (recipe follows)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly coat three 9 inch baking pans with baking spray and coat with flour. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.  Set aside.
Beat butter on med-high for 1 minute, add sugar and beat until blended.  Add eggs and vanilla, beat 2 minutes.  Reduce speed, add applesauce and flour mixture alternating 1/3 cup at a time.  So, 1/3 cup applesauce, 1/3 cup flour mixing well in between.  End with dry ingredients...
Spread evenly in 3 pans.  Bake 35 to 40 minutes.  Remove and cool for 10 minutes, then turn out on cooling rack until room temperature.  Layer cake with cinnamon whipped cream.

Cinnamon Whipped Cream
2 cups very cold heavy cream
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Mix everything together until soft peaks form.



What I may do differently is:  I may make a cinnamon cream cheese frosting....I may make it like a banana nut bread.....But it was really good just the way the recipe is.....

Thanks, from Heather