Bought this......
But ended up with this................

The kids painted some cute little pumpkins for my fireplace mantle. I thought they were adorable. We did get a giant pumpkin that we will open next week so I can bake the seeds and mash the pumpkin for yummy treats.

Our God is Love....Hillsong....Australia 2010

I am always sitting in the on site Starbucks at church having my hot cocoa when I hear this song and I know it's time to go into the sanctuary. I love this part. It puts the whole service to a good start.

Message from Stephanie

I had to post this message from Stephanie. I have been following her since I heard about her plain crash from my sister and I am inspired almost every day by the things she writes on her blog. I thought what she said about motherhood in this message was beautiful. Her story is amazing. She is amazing.

Keurig or Tassimo?????

Keurig or Tassimo? Which one to get? My friend Pamela has the Keurig but the Tassimo has Gevalia as one of their discs and everyone knows I only drink Gevalia. Opinions?

Hawaii or bust!!!!!!

We decided to retire from the Army, 4 years to go, in Hawaii. Yes it's expensive, yes it's far away from the mainland, yes it's a scary move, but when me and the hubby met over 14 years ago we were both wild free spirits willing to try anything. Where did that take us? Germany, Spain, Washington, Hawaii....so why change now. You only live one life and Hawaii is where we want to be, so yes we are going for it...and nothing's gonna stop us now.

My dear friend Pamela from the blog (When Good People Get Together) recommended this meme to me. I thought it was so cool that I wanted to participate. As usual I am late getting it up but I'm sure that's okay. MilSpouse Friday Fill-In gives you questions that you can fill in the answers too so that you can get to know some of the military bloggers. For more check out the blog Wife of a Sailor.
So here goes:

This week’s questions are:

1. What characteristic about yourself has either been strengthened or weakened due to your experience as a Military Spouse? My tenacity. I have just used it recently in the move we made to WA. So many things I didn't like about my kids new school that I have been busy pushing my way in and making a difference. Weakness would have to be impatience. I don't like to be in the middle of change and that is what the military is all about. I am fine once I'm settled, I just hate limbo.
2. What is your favorite vacation spot and why? Hawaii. I lived there almost 9 years and it was like a total vacation, in fact we will retire there. Hawaii, need I say more.
3. If you could have any fast-food restaurant in the food court on base/post what would you pick? Chipotle's. Organic Mexican food. A healthy fast food restaurant. I am enjoying the one here in Federal Way but we don't have this on post.
4. Where did you go on your honeymoon? Las Vegas. We were married there so I call it my honeymoon.
5. If you could have any job in the world regardless of money, degree or experience, which job would you have and why? I don't really know. Probably some type of therapist. I like working with kids so maybe a guidance counselor in Middle school. Possibly elementary. I was at my kids school 4 hours yesterday helping put a new program into play and I totally loved being around the kids. Especially mine.

This is my favorite show on tv. The new season started last night and it was as funny as ever. Great entertainment.

Waiting for Superman

Anyone catch the Oprah Show about this new movie? Bill Gates was involved in this project and I can say it really made me think. My kids attend school here in WA. and I was wondering what is being done here where Mr. Gates lives. I sent an e-mail to his foundation and am awaiting a response. I have always had to supplement my kids education and I do believe that this is the job of the parents but I can't see how the schools cannot be improved just a little bit. This film was sad. It shows that the education system in America is really suffering. I have been very tempted to homeschool and won't be surprised to find myself going this route in the not too distant future. But I am wondering if my e-mail will generate any response. My kids school holds Middle Schoolers who parents are in the military and deploy quite frequently. The last thing these people need is to have to worry about what type of education their kids are getting. It's probably the biggest reason I don't work, so I can make sure I am available to supplement my kids education, but not everyone, especially people in the military, have this option.

Okay it's Damian's second day, technically. But I got a pic anyway. So far so good. He loves his school Of course today will only be the 3rd day so we will see.

First day of school

I will post some pics tomorrow but my camera is full and I need to download it. I did find out that breakfast is free in WA for school kids so that's awesome for me. I can only hope for reduced lunch.

Well rain has finally come but it doesn't look like it will stay. We will have to see. At least I did not have to water my grass last night.

Not much on the agenda today. Just enjoying the quite house for awhile.

School Days, School days, dear old golden rule days...

School starts Sept. 8th. It will be new for my 2 boys who will attend Middle School for the first time. Keep them in your prayers. I told them if they have any problems at all I will pull them out and home school them. They have never had problems before and I really like the Middle School they are going to attend, but it seems to me the mainland has really not got a handle on the bullying issues from what I have read. This is totally opposite in Hawaii where it is not tolerated. I am hopeful that they have a good year. My little one is going in to 2nd grade and my neighbors all like his school. Of course it is DOD (Dept. of Defense) and bullying is never tolerated in these schools so his year should go well. Let me know how your school year is going?

My daughter posted this picture of her family on myspace so I copied it. I haven't seen them in quite some time. They are still in Mexico. Hopefully they will be back in the US soon.

One picture....10,000 words

Finally, 10,000 lbs. unpacked. Need I say more.

Finally settled in WA...Kind of

We are in the house and Monday we will receive our furniture. Thank God. We will be able to set up my regular computer and I will be able to visit all my friends in blogland. We did get our van last Friday so no more walking lol. I hope all of you are doing well out there. Can't wait to be able to blog hop again.

New Home woohoo

Because of my daughters medical needs we are lucky enough to get a house on post immediately. Even luckier for me it is one of the historical houses I have always wanted to live in. It has a fireplace, a porch dining area, and dormer windows. I know I will enjoy making this house my home. Luckily it has a full basement and 4 bedrooms. And if anyone was wondering it was sunny and hot in WA today.

Moving

Our house is being packed out tomorrow and crated for shipping on Thursday. We will be in a hotel until the evening of July 27 then it is off to WA. The kids are excited to go to a new place even though we were already stationed at Ft. Lewis. I found out today that my friend, who took her baby to San Francisco last week , is home and that the baby has been diagnosed with infantile spasms and seizures. They may be sent to Lewis too in a few months. The baby is doing good and she had the perfect seizures while hospitalized. As soon as she did the neurosurgeons ran down from observation and got to see the whole thing. As much as this sucked for her it showed them a lot about her seizures. Anyway that's the news for this week.

Chuckie Cheese for Darrians Birthday

Darrian is 7 today. Happy Birthday my sweet boy. Here he is opening a few gifts.

I thought this was so cute. From the mouths of babes.

The Devil

Two boys were walking home from Sunday School. They had just heard a firm teaching about Satan.

"What do you think about all that devil stuff?" one boy asked.

"Oh, I don't know," said the other one. "Remember Santa Claus? He turned out to be just your dad. The devil's probably the same thing."

For more Friday Funnies go on over the Kim's blog, Homesteaders heart.