Ants in the Pants

I'd rather hoped I wouldn't be writing this post today or ever, really. Alas, here it is. My parenting fails will be on display for the world to see as soon as I hit publish.

This weekend wasn't a good one for my little tykes. Allow me to explain...

I have two boys who cried wolf. One is really, really the boy who cried wolf while the smaller one only is when he's in the car. I've never had children who enjoyed a good car ride. That's a mystery to me. Anyway, usually Baby A will freak out in the car, screaming very loudly and then he'll be inconsolable for (what will feel like) hours. Lately, though, he has been drifting off to sleep in the car which is a welcomed change. Imagine my delight when he fell asleep on the way to the park on Saturday. I was happy because that could free me up to play with K and J swing. We got to the park, kept Baby A in his car seat, sat him down next to the gate around the park and began to swing as Cray K made friends with some other kids at the playground. 

Baby A slept sweetly for most of the time, but as we began to leave he was waking up. By the time we had trekked across the parking lot, he was angry. By the time the car started up, he was frantic. Again, this was nothing new so we thought, "He just doesn't like the car. He'll calm down when we get out." Wrong.

We attempted to sit down at a restaurant to eat after that but our sweet, easy baby was still pretty unhappy so we ordered to go and the kids and I went out to the car to wait on the food. I put Cray K in the back of the jeep so he could play instead of sticking him in his car seat and making him cry, too. I got out some crayons and a coloring sheet and he played happily for a few minutes. Meanwhile, I'm finally getting Baby A to calm down in my arms. He stopped crying and actually seemed pleasant. Then, a gust of wind, took K's coloring page up, up, up. Always on my toes, I tried to react quickly to retrieve it. I suppose my spatial awareness was off-kilter because when I turned, I whacked poor Baby A's head on the tail light. It made a loud sound and my youngest crunched up his face in the adorably cute way he does and began his slow-to-start wail. I felt hopelessly terrible. K's art work was gone and now I had harmed this tiny second-born child in my arms. Baby A quit crying pretty quickly, there were no red marks or even a bump, and he was acting fine so I pushed the incident from my mind.

We arrived home with food in hand and we decided we would do a little fishing in the backyard pond. 

Before going outside, I remembered I should probably change the little one's diaper. I went to take it off and what did I find? A single black ant. But the rash and bumps on his legs told a different story. It looked like a whole colony of ants was living in his diaper. His little thigh was so eaten up that grief washed over me. I feel absolutely awful for listening to his cries (of pain!) and not thinking much of it. Poor baby had ants in his pants (I would show you a photo, but it would just make you cry).

I guess he got it from me sitting him down in his car seat on the ground. Mom of the year.

Then?

Sunday K's little shoulders turned a pinky hue in the afternoon sun. We were out for such a brief time, I didn't think he would need any sun block.

My sweet boys. I totally failed them this weekend.

I'm sure glad they won't remember! ;)

As always, there were good parts to the last few days, too. J finished up his MBA this weekend so of course we had to celebrate! I'm so proud of him for diligently working on his degree while he parted ways from the Army, job searched, and obtained a great, competitive job. He has been working hard for this family and I'm so grateful God has blessed us with a man like him. Good work, babe!

In celebration, we took a short trip to the beach and REI, our happy place.

 Then afterward, the boys slept so I could go on a run. I decided to do a "ruck run" to the grocery store because we needed a few things. I posted a photo on facebook and got a lot of responses- "What's a ruck run?" Chances are if you're husband is or has been a military man, you know what I'm talking about. In the Army they do "ruck marches" in which they pack and weigh their ruck sacks down and march or run for miles and miles in their ACUs and combat boots. I have a whole new respect for them. Whew! I think they weigh their backpacks down with the equivalent of what supplies they would need to survive to practice for situations in which that would be important. I suppose I could be making that up, though. What do I know? Anyway, here's my much lighter "ruck":

I also only did three miles. Still, I felt like a beast!

Then, I totally canceled out all those calories burned by indulging in a deliciously fried meal. My husband continues to impress me with his cooking endeavors. Yesterday he made crab cakes, hush puppies, and cole slaw. 

Delicious.

How was your weekend? This is the part where you can feel free to tell me your parenting fails, too.

This Man

My husband just sauntered off to work in his green scrubs. I watched him walk away, brief case in hand. Man, how our lives have changed over the last five years. When I met J, he was a young lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He lived in Alaska and me? I had never lived any place apart from Tennessee. His job became a romantic notion in my head as we talked although I laugh about that now. After all, what is desirable about sending the man you love off to war? I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Plans began to be whispered over late night conversations at our parents' houses, "Will you come to Alaska with me?" Without hesitation, we started our search for flights. In that week, my blinders started to slowly come off. I was about to send him off for an entire year or more. How do families do this?

The young, inexperienced new lieutenant come home from war an experienced veteran. Adjusting to the changes that brings with it was difficult, but I can honestly say that it was a fun time for us. Homecoming creates this high that can last you for months if you can't already see the next deployment in your headlights. Some people aren't as lucky as we were.

We had fun! We traveled around Alaska, New Zealand, Hawaii and Tennessee in those months following his return. We dropped money left and right and spent like we couldn't take it with us. I began to notice subtle changes in Captain J, things I never noticed before he left. I assume he came to know new things about me, too. A lot can change in a year. Yet we had it so so good.

As we drove away from Alaska to move on to the next duty station the Army wanted us to go, we realized how much we didn't want to leave. We had made friends there. Great friends. And I feared we would miss our lives nestled in the mountains. Our adventures weren't over yet, though. We drove across America, stopping when we pleased. We had each other, two silly dogs, and so much possibility on that trip. Those memories keep me warm at night.

Upon arrival to Georgia, we got some unexpected news. We were (finally!) expecting. By the time the due date rolled around, we had already moved again. Louisiana would be our baby's first home. Come to find out, we'd have two babies in our 17 month stay there.

Now, here we are. Still making it. Still thriving.

The Army Officer that I married is still very much alive in him, but I can see a new man evolving, too. He comes home excited about some surgery he was a part of. His phone rings less while he is home. He walks through the door at a fairly predictable hour each evening. Instead of tripping over combat boots in our bedroom, I'm moving around medical devices. Scrubs have replaced camo in our lives and my boys won't have to know what it's like to send their daddy off to the middle east.

This morning we woke up early, had our coffee, and read our morning devotional as we usually do. That's when it hit me. This man is so different from the one I started dating years ago. I am so different. I guess time will do that to you. But every once in awhile, he'll flash me a smile and tell me as he did this morning, "You always look good when you wake up" and I remember that young couple we were not so long ago before our children began the hopefully slow process of chiseling away our youth. 

This man has my heart, for better or for worse.

And I just don't think I say that to him enough.

Recap

*dusting off the keyboard*

Hello. My name is Mrs. K and I'm the brains behind this little blog. I feel as if I should introduce myself since I've been gone for so long. It has been a busy last few weeks. Just to recap:

2 Weeks Ago:

Photo Credit

We welcomed sweet Baby A into the world. I can't imagine my life without this precious boy now. Our lives have become so much busier, but so much fuller, too. I love him so much.

Here we are at his first appointment:

3 Days Ago:

We left our home in Louisiana (and the Army) to drive to TN for Christmas. Captain J is done with his military career and is moving on to civilian life. We'll be here for a month or two and then we're moving again.

Here's our crazy family dog, Lucy, after swiping an ornament-

It's good to be home.

Cray K is good, too-

There he is with his dad on Friday, just before we hit the road to leave. I can't believe how big he is getting! All parents say that, don't they? Typical.

I just love my babies. Sorry I'm not sorry.

In regard to recent events in CT, I'm squeezing them both even tighter. I doubt I'll ever have any words to explain what I felt when I turned on the news that day. Days later, I can't even fathom the depths of evil this world has and my heart is breaking. Shattering.

What is happening to our families?
To our schools?

It's terrifying.

Perhaps I'll have more to say on the tragedy later, but right now...

The best response I can think of is to spend time with my own children- teaching them, loving them.

Thanks for checking in with us. We'll chat soon.

Love,

Meanwhile in Louisiana...

We were watching the Amazing Race (awesome finale, ehh?) when it was so rudely interrupted by some tornado weather suggestions. Please note numbers 5 and 4 which seem to contradict each other...jus' saying.

We're in the home stretch of the last few days here in LA. My house is scattered with boxes and army gear...

and toys...and diapers....lots and lots of diapers.

The Mrs. K and Captain J household is doing well, but we're on the move very soon. I apologize for not visiting your blogs very often and taking forever to respond here. I've been one busy gal. As always, I thank ya for stopping by and checking in with us.

I'll write when I can.

XOXO,

We're moving to...

When emails pile up, financial tasks need to be done, last minute baby preps are abundant, and my Scentsy business begs to be organized, the first thing to go was blogging. It's only been a few days, but I missed this space and I'm happy to be back with pretty good news.

If you've been following along here long enough, you know that Captain J is finishing up his service to the Army in January. We've been very nervous yet excited for this new curve in our lives. He spent much time deliberating whether this was the right decision for our family, but ultimately he knew that he didn't want to spend a year away from his sweet son if he didn't have to. That was the deciding factor. He wanted out. I supported this decision and eagerly began daydreaming of moving back to East Tennessee where so many of my friends are and where most of my family resides. We knew we wanted to be close as we've spent all of our relationship away from the ones we love. Alaska--Georgia--Louisiana-- it was time to go home.

Meanwhile, J partnered with a head hunter group to try to get a leg up when it comes to finding a job post Army. This was the beginning of our plans starting to shift. The further he got into the process, the more he became aware what he wants to do, what motivates him, and where we may (or may not) end up. There were slim pickin's in Tennessee as you might imagine. I was actually pretty upset about this until very recently. I wanted to go home! Watch my nephews and niece grow up! Hang with my old pals. Drop the kids off with their grandparents. Spend a Thanksgiving in good ole Loudon for a change.

A couple weeks ago, Captain J nervously set out to a hiring conference unsure of what to expect. If I may brag on my husband for a minute, let me say that I'm so very proud of him. It must be difficult to shift from Infantry Officer to a business mindset after so many years of service in the Army. Thus far, he has excelled at what he has set out to do. He's currently finishing up an MBA, keeping up with his duties at work and home, and he took a few days off to fly all over the country interviewing and kickin' butt at it. We were blessed to have many opportunities, many second and third interviews! After much deliberation, he narrowed his options down to three offers...

none of which were anywhere near "home."

The nearest was Northern Atlanta, but the work hours were depressing to say the least. In addition, we had already lived near there back when we were stationed at Ft. Benning for MCCC. We didn't love the area, but it was nice to be within driving distance of our hometowns. Still, it was a fiasco just trying to get home. It was about a four hour drive and that was before we had kids. That margin of time would only grow. We imagined being pretty close to home but never actually being able to go home due to the long work hours J was facing. Finally, we were swayed by insanely cheap real estate in...

Sunny Florida!

Source: google.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I'm kidding, sort of. J, of course, didn't choose his next job because of real estate there. Still, we have weighed our options and landed on the job that will take us to the Jacksonville area. I'll be honest- at first I was pretty sad. I'm a country mouse at heart. I have never had much of a desire to live in a big city. I feel most at home in the mountains and I desperately wanted four seasons. Mostly, I wanted K & A to know their family well. Over the past week, however, I've begun to accept and be happy about this change. J told me he wasn't too fond of living too close to where he grew up and I understand why he feels that way. Anyway, I'm beginning to picture our lives as a family of four in a warm climate with palm trees and plenty of opportunity to soak up some rays on my soon-to-be toned body again (Ok, perhaps I'm slightly delusional still). The point is, I can finally brush aside the dark clouds surrounding my mind and focus on the fact that this is a blessing. We'll get back to TN eventually, but until then-

God has provided for us yet again. With so many people struggling in this lowly economy, we worried it might be difficult to find work. Not only did J have multiple job offers, but I also truly believe now that God wants us to be in Northern Florida. We are excited about finding a church family there that is closer to what we are looking for from a congregation. We look forward to finding a reliable sitter so that we can finally start dating each other again. I've googled Mom and Me groups in the area so K can have that socialization that is ever important at this age. We're looking forward to moving on to what will be our fourth state in three years. Hopefully, we can stay there a bit longer than we've been averaging at previous duty stations! We're ready to have a home.

I hope that we make Florida home to us. I know it's all about perspective and for better or worse, the Cap'n and I are in this together, forever. He is my family. I'm his. We'll be happy any ole place...

Right?

Sounds Like Life To Me

This morning I'm battling a bad attitude so I thought perhaps sharing some photos of our nice weekend might aid in putting me in a better mood. I'm sad because everything on my body seems to ache. I didn't sleep well last night because K Baby is sick and he was awake every 30 minutes for the first five hours he was asleep. Then, he woke up early. Dragging my big ole pregnant body out of bed constantly isn't my idea of fun. Of course, now that he's sick, I can't go to PWOC either and I really really wanted to today.

On top of it all, a blanket of stress is threatening to smother us (or something equally dramatic! ha). This weekend, Captain J is off to look for a big boy job in the real world and along with this hiring conference has come many unexpected expenses. Yesterday we had to go to the next city over for (another) shopping spree for professional attire. On the way, we were pulled over and will soon have to pay a big fat fine for speeding. Being a one income household, this puts us in a situation. We're fine, of course, but all that savings we had is gone and we're ready to start over. We were feeling good about having some money saved for "just in case" when he gets out of the Army. That security is gone now. It's just always something, isn't it?

But as Wynn Varble would say, "Sounds like life to me..."

And we've got it pretty good. Here are some photos from our day at the pumpkin patch!

Is he not the cutest thing you've ever seen? I can hardly stand to not kiss his chubby cheeks all day long. And would ya look at those wrists? And that little neck? Good grief. What a sweet family I have!

And now I'll leave you with our good family friend singing his song he wrote for Darryl Worley- Sounds Like Life To Me

Happy Tuesday!

Roll With The Punches

The phone rang this morning. Early. And now I'm in a bad mood.

Remember when I mentioned that Captain J was done with his time in the field? I said that we would never have to deal with a rotation ever again? Well, it turns out I lied. The Army made a liar out of me and truly, I should have known better.

I'm frustrated and I've really no reason to be. It's just that we had plans and frankly? I get annoyed when I have to parent alone. My pregnant body hasn't been that kind to me and by the end of the day I'm in gobs of pain from bending over the bathtub trying to wash Baby K. My knees are hurting from the constant climbing over of the baby gate. And I'll not mention some of the other physical ailments that pregnancy tends to bring along.

We're a few months away from being out of the Army for good which begs the question- What's next?

We still don't know. Next weekend, Captain J is off to a hiring conference. There, he'll have six interviews from jobs that will likely be all over the country. Our preference is to be in the Southeast, but I fear this large company looking for employment options for J does not care about our geographical preferences. Anyway, the job interviews will filter in from various corporations but the opportunities will primarily be in the field of business. Captain J is currently working on finishing a Master's in Business. Of course, he isn't promised a job offer, only interviews.

He got a call the other day suggesting he interview for a company that would require him to travel every 6-8 weeks for a calendar year. Keep in mind his reasoning for getting out of the military is so that he could be around to see the babes grow up. Obviously, this scenario isn't ideal for us. He'd be gone for a year with some availability to visit, but not much. The other option is that Baby K, Baby A, and I pack up with him every 6-8 weeks and travel the country, too. Ideally, how neat? Realistically? We'd have two under two on the road with cloth diapers. Schedules would fly out the window. And I would still not get to properly decorate for Christmas! Kidding on that last one. Actually, no I'm not.

I want a home that is ours. One that isn't too far from family in Tennessee. One that we can settle in, find a reliable babysitter, make friends, and find a church home we love.

I understand that when one is just starting out, they have to pay their dues. Unfortunately, the dues Captain J paid years ago won't translate in the civilian world. Now, we start over.

I'm sure it will be exciting, difficult, and chaotic all at the same time. The transition already feels that way. We don't have much of a plan at this point. Everything is up in the air, just like with the Army so in that way our lack of a plan does feel like home. Frustrating but comforting.

So if you ask what our plans are post military, I'll have to tell you that we don't know. And when we get one, it might change. That's life.

Roll with the punches.

Source: weightoffmyshoulders.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

A girl can dream..

Sunday is a day of rest, isn't it? I'm not sure why K didn't get that memo. He's finally asleep after being up since 5:23am. I know because I rolled over, grabbed my phone to check the time, and cried a silent cuss word in my brain. He has been so upset all morning. He doesn't have a fever, though so I'm at a loss as to what is going on. Maybe he just misses Daddy. I do, too.

I wonder why I'm not running straight to bed to try to get some shut eye, too. I'll surely regret this decision soon. I just have so much on my mind. My list of things to do keeps growing, but they all seem so unimportant in the grand scheme of things that I keep procrastinating. My back hurts and it's the Lord's day. Those are my excuses.

I've really really been getting that Fall twitch. You know the one. Everyone starts yearning for pumpkin spiced lattes, pretty fall leaves, and sweater weather. Two out of three of those things are pretty nonexistent here (pretty leaves and sweater weather) so unfortunately I have to live vicariously through everyone else. Many of you have been posting on facebook that the weather is soo cool and forgive me, but that's just not something I want to hear. Sure, I shouldn't complain. Last year at this time, it was 118 degrees. Now, the highs are in the low nineties. Still, I get mad when you say you're cuddled up under a blanket or having a bonfire outside. I'm pretty sure if we tried to light anything on fire out there, three parishes would burn up.

Source: beccabae.tumblr.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

 I want to be thin and wear pretty fall things...

Source: uniqueandamazing.blogspot.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Source: i9store.com.br via Mrs. on Pinterest

Source: hm.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

I want to leave Louisiana and move to a cabin nestled in some mountains and read good books and sip hot cocoa...

Source: skinet.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

And take long, uninterrupted, peaceful bubble baths here...

Source: getdecorating.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

and retire for the day with my no-longer-in-the-Army man here:

Source: moonlightrainbow.tumblr.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

A girl can dream.

Meanwhile, I better get to making this house presentable. A clean house does wonders for my mood!

Source: habituallychic.blogspot.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Currently (#2)

Want to know what's currently going on in the life of Mrs. K? Well, I'll tell ya...

I'm currently excited to announce that I'm now selling Scentsy! If you're living under a rock, I'll let you know that I've been diggin' their products for a long time now and you should try some out, too. Scentsy is a yummy smelling alternative to candles. Their wickless warmers are absolutely delicious (or at least they'll leave your home smelling that way!). That's not all that is offered, though. I'm excited to get this business rolling and I'd love if you were a part of it! Please go check out my page and order if you'd like or contact me with any questions.

Currently Reading:
I am now reading A Scattered Life. I'll be honest, I only purchased it on my kindle because it was under $2 and I was in that sad phase when you finish a book you haven't been able to put down. I'm only a few chapters in, but I will let you know how it is. The book I just finished is Bloom by blogger Kelle Hampton.

I've been all about bloggers turned published novelists and authors partly because I'd like to support them and partly because I envy them. I've heard a lot of good reviews on this book. I thought it was good- interesting. I enjoyed reading her raw emotions from the birth of her 2nd born until now. Her journey makes me wonder what I'm capable of in other areas of my life. I don't think I enjoyed the book as much as most, though. There were just a few small things that irked me about it that I can't quite put my finger on. I don't know if that's because I just can't understand what she was thinking/feeling or if I'm simply envious of her rare ability to not hold back- to tell all.

Currently Mad About:

This DirectTV business! Viacom, DirectTV- whoever is responsible for ridding me of my weekly reality show fixes. Unacceptable. I mean, why am I paying the same price I was paying, but now I'm short several popular channels? And they're channels I actually watch! I don't like it one bit. I look forward to moving and handing them our military orders and washing our hands of tv all together. It's garbage anyway, am I right? But man...that garbage is entertaining.

Currently Counting Down To:

* Captain J's ETS date (get out of the Army date) is now set in stone established. It just so happens to fall on our anniversary, too. Oh, happy day! I'm excited to start this next chapter despite all the uncertainty that it brings with it.

* Also? I have potential trips in my future. Nothing big or anything, but we'll see if it pans out. 

* Baby K's first birthday is coming up! I can't believe it.

Currently Pinning:

Source: someecards.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Source: someecards.com via Mrs. on Pinterest

Note: I'm fully aware that people probably think that about K Baby from time to time!

Currently Thankful:
Well, I'm thankful for a lot but I'm really really thankful to Pinterest in this moment. I practically burnt the fingerprint off my right thumb while making a pizza. I quickly ran to the computer and typed in "burn remedy"- Voila! It said to rub egg whites on the burn, an old wives tale. Not one to question old wives, I did so and I'm here to tell ya- an hour later, the pain was gone. I'm typing with the thumb now (obviously). I can still see it, but it doesn't hurt. Thank you, thank you Pinterest!

One more thing- Have you entered my Current Giveaway?
You've got a few days left to do so. It's for Target and PayPal! Enter here.

What's going on in your world?

Salmonella Scare

I can see the light! It's there. It's faint. But I see it! This rotation is almost over and I couldn't be more ready for it to be. I want my husband back.

Captain J has been coming home the last few nights so I kinda, sorta have him back a little, but he can only stay for a few hours (read he comes home to sleep for a few hours). Either way, Baby K is in bed long before he gets here and he is gone before he wakes up so I'm still rockin' the single parent role for a few more days. Thankfully, my babe has been such a good boy and I'm beginning to knock those awful first trimester sickies.

Speaking of sickies, I had this AMAZING recipe I was going to share with you today, but then THEN...I poisoned my entire family. I'm kidding, I hope. I made the most delicious Cajun pasta yesterday. It was so tasty! I fried some chicken to put on top of it and some of it may or may not have been cooked all the way through. Some of the pieces were thicker than others and I didn't check them all. Perhaps I should start! Anyway, I warned Captain J when he got home that the thinner pieces were probably good but if he chose to eat a thicker piece, he should check it. Then I told him four more times.

Two bites into his THIRD PLATE, he says "oh, babe this isn't cooked at all!" as if I had never uttered a word about undercooked chicken possibilities.

"I told you to check!"I said while acting like I didn't care in the slightest. In reality, I retreated to the bedroom with iPhone in hand to google if we were all going to die that night. I was so worried, y'all. I couldn't sleep. I even asked Twitter for prayer. I just knew I'd poisoned my poor husband and my tiny fetus inside me.

We awoke this morning with no sign of a salmonella attack so fingers crossed we're in the clear. Only time will tell.

Yummy pasta hasn't been the only thing that made me happy this week. I got flowers! My online pal in Alaska sent me a lovely bouquet and brightened my week considerably. I feel so blessed to have met and "met" so many of you online because of this blog. I hope you know that I consider many of you friends. You all are great!

Thanks again, Nina!

I think I'll chalk last night up as another freakout moment courtesy of my hypochondriac tendencies or perhaps Murphy wanted one last kick at me when I was down moment. That's fine. Next week, I will prevail. You'll see.