The letter S

       We love Sauces with just about everything. The boys won't even eat quesadillas unless they have ranch to dip them in. M has numerous stains on ties and T-shirts from various sauces. Our favorite that we've made up seems to be BBQ and ranch. Simple but really good. It seems to go with just about everything.
       I'm a big believer in being Self reliant. I hate asking for help especially if it has to do with finances. I have become better about it though. We've had many times in the last five years that I've had to be humbled. Throughout, M's various stages of unemployment we have received help from our church and, from the government. Without this help we probably wouldn't have made it. I'm grateful that these programs are available. I'm also thankful for what I learned from these times. I learned ask for help when you need it. I also learned about the importance of food storage and of saving. 
      We all love Singing. We seem to have music on alot of the time. Our boys have also learned to appreciate all kinds of music. My favorite is county, M's favorite is pop rock, P and Q love anything that has a good beat. We also listen to some church music on Sundays. The best thing about this is watching the boys try to sing along to a familiar song and dancing as they do. These family singalongs are quickly becoming some of my favorite memories.
       M loves his Sleep. Now, don't get me wrong most people love their sleep me included. But M LOVES his sleep more than most people. He can easily go to bed at like 9 pm and sleep til noon the next day. Not to mention sometimes he's ready for a nap three hours latter. It's crazy to me how long he can sleep. It used to start fights cause he would sleep too much. I have finally given up on this realizing there's just no way I can win. I love him dearly but sometimes I'd swear his secretly a sloth. 

A Letter.... The written kind

      More mail came today. This time it was our DEERS paperwork (stuff to get our military Id's). Tucked inside was a letter from M. He said it's been the 10 hardest days ever. He said thanks for supporting him and for giving him so much garbage about always wanting to sleep. (Problem with less sleep at BMT, maybe.) M told us how much he loves us and that he can't wait to see us again. It was short, sweet and to the point. Of course I smiled and cried as I read it a billion times. I'm sure I'll read it a billion more before we're done.
      We each wrote him letters today. Well, I wrote them and the boys traced their hands on them. However we apparently weren't fast enough cause we missed the mail lady. Guess they'll just have to go in tomorrow's mail. Hopefully, he likes them and they help to brighten his day.

Tornadoes. . . sure why not

Yes you read that right. Last night there was a tornado warning in Texas. I am worried unlike most other women No. I was actually quite calm. Reason being if there was a natural disaster what better place to be then on a military base. They have bomb shelters and, all sorts of other places and, ways to protect the AB's. Did I pray that M and all the other men there with him would be safe? Of course but, that is simply because, I pray for their safety and happiness everyday. Why mention any of this? Cause I told you I'd write anytime there was something of interest. If you ask me a tornado sounds pretty darn interesting.
On a side note we received graduation info yesterday. I was a little concerned at first cause the wrong name was in the corner of the envelope. The name in the corner only matched M's in one way in that, the first name also started with an M. But, I opened it and the name and, info inside was correct. So, that's all that mattered right? I've only managed to come up with two reasons for all of this. One, M had to borrow another AB's envelopes. Two, the TI's are the ones that mailed everything and they got the envelopes screwed up. Either way a letter is a letter. Plus, it means one step closer to graduation. 6 more weeks to go!!

The letter R

       I love everything about Rain.It seems to make the world look clean again. I also love that it means cuddle time at our house. I'm starting to love the activities that are possible after rain, such as playing in the mud and, of course jumping in puddles. P's expression during all of this is priceless. 
       I feel like sometimes my blog posts are just Ramblings. I tend to just write what's in my head and, sadly that doesn't always come out organized. I noticed this the other day as I wrote a letter to M. My thoughts tend to jump around a lot. Maybe, I'll work on this.
       I'm not one to wear makeup. I tend to go for the Raw look. I'm most comfy in jeans, a t-shirt and my hair up in a bun. Not the most attractive I know. I do put effort into looking nice when I'm going somewhere. (Unless of course it's Walmart or something then who cares.) Makeup however, has just not been my thing. I tried for a while when I was in junior high it just seemed like so much work for something so pointless. Plus, I realized some guys really don't care about it. (Like wonderful Mr. M.)
      All four of us love to Read. I read pretty much anything, M tends to like mysterious fantasy books, P and Q of course love the interactive children's books. We read to the boys at least one story a night. Then, most of the time M and I will retire to our room where we read our books while cuddling. Sometimes we read the same book as each other. The most recent series we read together was The Mortal Instruments. (really good) This summer I'm going to try and, find some short novels that I can read with the boys. We'll see how it goes. Either way I'm just glad we all love books.
      M is a big fan of Relaxing. I enjoy it but it's something I have a very hard time doing. As a result we're both stretching ourselves to benefit the other person. I'm working on letting things go a little bit more and, he's working on worrying more about things.  
      M loves doing Risky things. How so you ask? Well, his thinking spot is a gazebo in somebody's front lawn (trespassing and slightly creeper). Our favorite spot to sit and talk together was atop a farmer's hay bales (trespassing again). He loves to rock climb. He wants to go skydiving. I think my hubby might just be an adrenaline junky. If, it makes him happy and, he can stay alive doing it then, more power to him I suppose.
      Our marriage has no doubt been a Rocky one thus far. Many times we've almost called it quits. I still haven't changed my name it's been that rocky. Our courtship was rocky too. We have come to realize through all of this though, that there is nobody else we'd rather weather the storms with. Nobody, would understand me like he does. Nobody, could love the boys like M. In turn nobody could handle his crazy like me. By the way I'm changing my name in a few weeks (Shh don't tell, it's a graduation surprise for M). Things are getting better and, we're more in love each passing day.

First Real Phone Call

Ok so apparently I just need to learn to be a little more patient. Just got off the phone with M for the first real phone call! He sounds good. He is in charge of laundry duty for everybody, and Chow call. M said he tries to volunteer for as much as he can cause it seems to make the MTI's happier. He also said the food is surprisingly really good. So far his time for the run is 10 minutes. (which he said isn't too bad.) I also learned that he's not the oldest guy there surprisingly enough. It was so good to talk to him! The boys and I just smiled the whole time. We should get to talk to every Sunday from now on which will make this whole thing a lot easier.

Anxiously Waiting and Counting

     I apologize in advance for how extremely pathetic this post might sound. In all fairness though I promised you honesty. This is honestly how the week has been.
     The first week was pretty easy. The second week has been really hard. I've come to realize just how much I love my Hubby. M really is my best friend. I tell him pretty much everything. We spend lots of time together just doing silly things like gaming, watch tv, or playing with the kiddos. So, you can imagine my frustration when I'll hear something funny and he's not around to laugh with me.
     I cry over the silliest things lately. The other day I walked in P's room to find the boys playing quietly. Of course I cried. I'm honestly starting to wonder if I'm not going crazy. My heart jumps every time the phone rings. I even catch myself hoping that I might see him somewhere.
     The weather has been nice. Nice enough that I decided to take the kiddos to the park. Wouldn't ya know it just happened to be go to the park with your Dad day. Then, last night Q wanted to read a book titled Dad Mine. I think it's clear to me that I'm not the only one missing Daddy.
     Not to mention some BMT wives got phone calls yesterday, I waited all day with the phone nearby hoping that maybe M would call. I worry that the BMT facebook page thinks I'm stalking; them cause I check multiple times a day for new pictures.
     I know I'm not the only that feels this way but I didn't ever anticipate the separation periods being this hard. Don't worry though I'm getting better and We've only got 6 weeks left. On another positive note I got the starter fixed on the car. Now I don't have to worry about it breaking down on me.

The letter Q

     The letter Q at our house is all about this cute boy! Q has been stealthy even before he was born. He was a VERY unexpected and, unplanned baby. Q and P are exactly 18 months apart. Looking back I wouldn't change it but, it has been alot of work  (and tears) to get to this point.
     Q is the type of boy that if he's quiet you need to wonder what mess he's attempting to make. He has been the culprit behind several messes. Plus, he's super smart which means some child locks don't work on this kid.
      Even though he is a troublemaker, Q is equally loving. He is constantly asking for kisses and hugs. Both boys love to cuddle but, Q especially loves it. He thinks it's silly to blow kisses though.
      Like I mentioned before Q is smart. I'm not sure if it's because, he has an older brother or what but, he seems to progress alot faster than other kids his age. He walked and talked quite early. He can count to five and sing to the letter G. Overall, he just catches on to things very quickly.
      Q's very favorite thing in the whole world is music (just like Mommy). He loves to sing and dance. Surprisingly, he can actually carry a tune. Q gets lots of giggles in church cause he loves to sing VERY loud. I love his enthusiasm for music.
       As a parent we all love to see our children progress and grow. I am particularly excited to see how Q develops his talents and, how smart he is academically. He and P compliment each other perfectly. We love our sneaky boy more and more with each passing day.