He's gone...

Matt left yesterday.  There was a deployment ceremony in La Grande... it was just the Dog & Pony Show, really. The Governor was there to stroke his own ego and reputation, they introduced the wives of the commanders, letters were read by the assistants of senators who didn't feel like coming, and all the while I was thinking, "I could be spending time with my husband right now!" After the ceremony, they dismissed the companies to spend time with their family members, except Alpha company... Matt's company.  This was the group of men who Governor Ted decided to shake hands with EVERY SOLDIER and say something personal! It was at least 20 minutes after the other soldiers had been dismissed that we finally got Matt.

But when we finally did get him, it was so awesome! There were 22 people there just to support Matt, so thank you to everyone who came out.

Matt and I got some time for just the two of us in the midst of all the craziness. We watched the kids run around and play, talked about what we're going to do when he gets home... he wants to take the family to Disneyland! I said that sounds a plan to me!

When it was time to say goodbye, the whole family walked over to Matt's bus together. I don't think I've ever walked so slow in my life! Everyone got to hug Matt and tell them that they love him. We tried to make it as fast and as painless as possible, as impossible as it was.  It was a nice theory! Matt cried when he held Karleigh. Michael gave Daddy a great big smasher hug. Then it was my turn. We had already said everything that could be said, so we just held eachother. I tried to take in what he felt like, what he smelled like, memorize his kiss.

We watched him walk away, and he turned around to wave at the door of the bus. The windows were shaded so we couldn't see inside. We stood there until they drove away. They had a police escort out of town... the busses just kept coming, there had to have been close to 15. When the last bus disappeared we all just looked at eachother.  There was nothing to say. I went into complete denial and started to organize where we were going to lunch before we left town! We went to eat as a family and talked about Matt and told the stories about him as a child that we've all heard a million times, but they still make us laugh and smile. We parted ways after that. I drove back to Pilot Rock with my mom and Karleigh, and Michael drove with my dad.

Last night was just kind of numb. I did laundry and dishes, made dinner for the kids, pretty much anything to keep from sitting, because sitting would mean thinking, and thinking would mean crying.

So, now its around 2:30 on Wednesday, I have to go pick up Michael from school in a few minutes. My parents left around 1, Karleigh is sleeping, and the house has been quiet. I still haven't had a good cry. It will happen, I'm just not sure when.

Keep Matt in your prayers, he will being going through a lot in the next few months. Thank you everyone for your love and support. We appreciate it!

Hooter Memoirs

     So this is a picture of the bra that I got! I'm just too excited not to share, and Heaven knows that no ones going to see me wearing it, and I figure this gal already has 'em out and on display, so what the heck.
Its not in the color I got, they didn't have this one available in my size.  In fact, when I got my shipping confirmation it said that only one bra shipped and the other one got cancelled! Well I got right on the phone to Nordstrom and found out what happened; I literally got the LAST bra in this style in my size! There was only one left! So the lady that I was talking to offered to waive the shipping if I wanted to choose another bra instead!  It was actually really fun! I logged on to the website and looked at the other bras while we talked!  We talked about kids and husbands, treating ourselves once in a while (wink!) and then she placed my order for the new bra that I picked out.  Its more along the lines of a "T-shirt Bra".  I didn't know what that meant before; its really simple but pretty, and they had it in a "Sand" color.  I suppose I need something that's more of a nude color anyway!  It should be here a few days after my first one gets here.  I'm so excited!
     Its been fun reading your comments on my last blog.  I love what Nicole says about being happy to get things for her husband and kids, I get a lot of pleasure from getting them things too... it makes me happy.  Carie, you were so on the money (ha!) about how differently moms seem to spend "extra" money than our husbands do. Julie hit it on the nose when she said the word guilt... why do we do that? God made us very strange indeed! No wait, fearfully and wonderfully made... that's what I meant! Sarah, I'm glad you got over laying down for the cause... I wish you were still here so I could meet up with you at Walmart for "therapy"! :-)
    
I love you my ladies!

For Ladies' Eyes Only! *wink*

I have a minor issue with spending money on myself.  I have a hard time justifying getting stuff for myself when the kids or the house or Matt needs something.  Maybe its just in those worn out, holes-in-the-knees mommy genes (ha!), but there's always someone who should get before Mom.

But ladies, I bought myself 2 new bras!!!  The last time I bought a new bra Michael was 6 months old!  One of the main reasons is because the bras were $68 each and I had to get 2.  I'm a 34G (yep!), so one of the only places I've been able to find my size in a decent design is at Norstrom.  I've been to specialty stores where the bras are just as expensive but are UGLY!!!

I can't find anyplace in Pendleton that carries my size.  I've been looking for a few months because the under wire in one of my two bras BROKE! It totally snapped! So I've been down to one bra for awhile, and while I was in Portland last weekend my other bra broke! The under wire on the same side as my other bra broke. So what did I do? I dissected my bras! I took the whole under wire out of the first bra and put it in the droopy side of the second one. Yep, I now have a Frankenstein Bra!

But this morning as I was putting on my bra, I saw the stitching on the inside of the cup and do you know what I thought? "Why shouldn't I get a new bra? Its been 4 years since I bought a new one, we're in a place where we can afford it... why shouldn't I get a new bra?

I got online to Nordstrom's website and found the bra that I bought last time. To my delight they had added a new color (they only had beige and black 4 years ago!), a beautiful Merlot! Not so much to my delight they had added $10 to the original price... But I decided that I deserve a treat.  So I bought 2! They're going to be here in a few days! I'm so excited!!

So, thanks for letting me babble about my new bras ladies! If any gentlemen happened to stumble past my titled warning, I apologize. :-)

Michael's First Day of School

Well, Michael's first day of school was great! Dropping him off was really hard, but Mrs. Harp said that he did great!

When I went to pick him up I pulled in and parked next to the other moms.  I was there about 5 minutes early, so I waited in the car until I saw all of the kids lining up next to the door. Mrs. Harp opened the door and all of the kids came running out of the classroom. Michael took a few steps out then stopped to look for me.  I called to him, he saw me and he just ran! "MOMMY!"

I stooped down and asked him, "Did you have fun?" He goes, "Mommy we sang a song, and colored a page, and I got a sticker, and I made a neck-a-wace out of fwoot woops, and I played with a kid..."

I don't think he took a breath during the whole thing! It was so cute. He asked if he could call Daddy to tell him about his day.

So here we are, Day 2. Oh how quickly things change!

I can't wait to drop Michael off at school! I'm so excited to put Karleigh down for her nap and then clean my house! 2 whole, uninterrupted hours all to myself, and I want to clean! Crazy!

So here I go.... My goal for the afternoon: Pick up, dust and vacuum the living room, dining room and kitchen before I have to pick up Michael at 3. Hopefully I will be able to find my keys (I've been using Matt's keys for the last 3 days!) so I can go get the mail!

Tally Ho!!!!