A Whole Lotta Nothin'...

I would just like to start off by saying NASCAR is so boring to watch, and I am glad I rarely have to watch it. Also, I think the NFL season should be as long as the NASCAR season. Just my opinion.

That being said, what do you suppose we have been up to today? You betcha. Football and racing. This is the normal Sunday for us here at the House of Shu, and I love it. We all get to be lazy and stay in pajamas and just veg on the couch. I do no cleaning aside from laundry, but it is a lazy chore anyway, as far as I am concerned. Plus, after going for my first "run" yesterday, I am enjoying not having to move around a whole lot. This mama is getting old and needs to get back in shape. I can't stand that I am so sore from one little 25-minute exercise. But, the fact that my 'fat pants' are now form-fitting is enough motivation for me to run everyday! Except Sundays, of course.

Oh, I finally called the speech therapist about Alex's lack of talking. Guess what happened. I got to leave a voice mail and was told not to call back unless they haven't returned my call within a week. After the week, I can call back, and most likely be asked to leave another message. Isn't that how it normally goes?

Sorry there isn't much to this post. I don't really have much to talk about. We haven't really done anything to speak of. When Robert actually gets to be home with us, he generally doesn't feel like going anywhere. I can't say I blame him, considering he hardly ever gets to be home. I am sure we will eventually fall into life here, but it isn't coming easily, that's for sure.

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Long Week...

Man, have I been slacking! I have my reasons, all of which may very well come across as excuses, but they seem legitimate enough to me.

To start, Robert has been working crazy hours. His company is out at gunnery right now (in the 'field' shooting the tanks), but since he was gone to WLC for about a month, he didn't get to qualify or take any of the classes beforehand. Therefore, he does not get to shoot. He has done two 24-hour shifts at the barracks, an all day/all night shift in the field changing out targets, and doing random things on the other days. So, when he is home, I don't get on the computer too often.

Also, we have all been a little sickly. Trey woke me up Monday morning saying his nose was stopped up, and his throat hurt. I gave him some medicine and sent him to school, as he was not running a fever and appeared to have a simple cold. Well, within the next few days Robert and I both contracted whatever it was. Robert has been pretty whiny about having to work, but I don't blame him at all. I haven't done a whole lot of anything since I started feeling bad. I have done what I have to (i.e. cooking, cleaning, taking care of the boys, etc.), but meals have been simple and "cleaning" has consisted of picking up the big stuff and loading/unloading the dishwasher. 

Because I have been pretty immobile and enjoying the comfort and warmth of our sofa, I have been somewhat productive on schooling. I am now on to Biology, and I am not soaking it up nearly as well as I did Computer Applications. After all, I have married into a tech-geek family and have picked up on more than a few things there. Plus, I had some experience with Word and Excel back when I worked (not since 2008). Obviously, it was good to brush up on those a little before getting back into the workforce, which I am hoping will be soon!

Well, that is what we have been up to, for the most part. Trey is feeling almost 100% again, and Wil and Alex still haven't gotten sick and hopefully won't! Robert and I are getting by, as we always do, and just looking forward to block leave in December.

Here is a short video just to make you smile.

I don't know if you have ever heard the song Blue Sunday, but it is one of his favorites.

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General Studies, Course One

This is just a quick note to brag on myself a little bit. I just finished my first course, Computer Applications. I had 3 exams and 3 projects. I took my first three exams on October 27th (I was a little excited) and got 100s on all three. The next few "exams" were projects for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These were a little nerve-wracking as I had never used PowerPoint and only used the others a handful of times more than three years ago. But I took my Practice Exercises seriously and took my time with them until I felt comfortable enough with them to do it on my own. And, I ended up getting 100s on all three of those as well! So, as of now, I have a Lesson Average of 100! Yay, me!! 

I can't (or shouldn't, rather) take any more exams until I get my new textbooks for my Biology course, which I can't say I am excited about. It takes about 6 days to get them here. They should be here by the end of the day Tuesday, Nov 8th. Then, I will dive into those courses just as I did my previous, hopefully keeping my Lesson Average as close to the same as possible. So, I am going to do my best to not think about schooling for the next few days and enjoy my "time off" a little more than I have the last 24 hours. I use the word "obsess" a lot, but when I set my mind to something, I have a hard time thinking about other things until that "project" is completed. I choose to think of that as a good thing, as I am invested in the "project", regardless of what it may be. I will keep you all up-to-date on how things are going throughout this next year. I only hope that after this year I can continue to better myself as I am doing now. Thank you all for listening and your support through everything!

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Our Happy Halloween!

So sorry it has taken me so long to get this posted. I was busy with school work yesterday. School work/projects are kind of my new obsession. But, considering the other "obsessions" I have had, I think this is a good one to have! Robert thinks I am going to get burnt out on it. I think I am completely stoked about getting started on a career that I will keep going, full steam ahead! Only time will tell, though. (Plus, I don't like him being right. You all should know this by now. haha)

I am going to start off by showing you something scary but completely unrelated to Halloween. This little guy was in our garage. We had seen a smaller one a couple months ago above our front porch. I am thinking this is the same one. I would rather think we have ONE that is growing than an entire family of different sizes.

"Our" camel spider. He is about 2 inches long. Be sure to click on this pic and see it bigger!

So onto Halloween. Alex wasn't too keen on the dressing up part of the day. He did, however, love the candy portion. Here are a couple pics of the boys all dressed up. Trey made his own costume. I did his make-up, and Robert did the "blood" on his face as well as the "blood" on William's axe. This was only the 2nd time ever that Robert has gotten to take the boys Trick-or-Treating (first time for Wil). He took the big boys while Alex and I passed out candy. We only had 10 kids.

 

The Phantom, the Zombie, and the baby! :)

Trey stayed in character for all the pictures, as you can tell.

 

  

The orange shirt was as far as I was going to go. :)

After walking all over post with Dad, they got washed up and posed for some pics with their stash. William is saying, "This is MY candy!" (He wanted me to tell everyone that.)

All in all, it was a great day. We were so happy and fortunate to have Dad home with us this year, and we are even happier he will get to be here for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

I will try to keep up on the blog as well as the school work, but bear with me. I don't want to neglect either, let alone these guys here at the house with me. They are all kinda special to me. :)

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Spirit Week: Day 4

I am on it today!! I actually got up WITH my alarm, which is highly abnormal. I think it is going to be a great day! 

Today is Crazy Sock Day for William, but he doesn't have any crazy socks.

 So, he is wearing mine! :)

Crazy Hat Day was Trey's Day 4, but, again, he doesn't have any crazy hats!

  So, he is wearing his favorite hat! :)

Maybe we will try to be a little more prepared for the next Spirit Week. But, either way, the boys have had fun getting to do/wear different things to school this week. Tomorrow is Spirit Day for both, so they will just be wearing their school colors.

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Spirit Week: Day 3

Late again... I am on a roll! Ha!

Today was Pajama Day for both boys! This is going to be the easiest blog ever!

William sometimes wears this to bed, so he says these are pajamas. I argued, but I clearly lost the battle. Trey wore his favorite jammies.

And I know I said this was going to be the "easiest blog ever", but it took me about 20 minutes or so to get the pictures uploaded. Figures.

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Spirit Week: Day 2

Sorry today's post is so late. Life happens, and sometimes it has other plans for you. But, I am it is still Tuesday here and in Indiana, so that still counts. That's how I feel anyway. 

Today, William's Spirit Day was kind of lame, in my opinion. If you are going to let the kids do/wear something they don't normally get to, let's make it a little more excited than.... SUNGLASSES!! That's right. Today's was "Wear your beach-ready sunglasses to school". Really? Oh, well. Maybe if I was part of the PTA I would have had a vote in what they did/wore. That will teach me, huh.

I know. It is dusty out here; what can I say?

Trey's Day 2 was Sport's Day. I figured he would don his Colts jersey, but I was wrong. Surprising, I know.

He wanted to 'sport' his own jersey.

Mr. Alex was a little jealous of the big brothers getting their pictures taken, so he asked ever so sweetly (by grabbing my arm and pulling the camera toward him) to take a couple pictures of him as well.

I am absolutely in love with his eyes. I wish the first one was a little clearer. Too funny, if I do say so myself.

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Spirit Week: Day 1

This week is Spirit Week at the boys' schools. During Spirit Week, they get to wear different things to just be a little silly for the week.

William's Day 1 was Beach-wear. He doesn't have a Hawaiian shirt and didn't want to wear swim trunks, so he didn't participate today. Hopefully he will tomorrow.

Trey, on the other hand, embraced his inner goof. His Day 1 was Crazy Hair Day. All in good fun! :)

 I am looking forward to tomorrow and the rest of the week. Check back every day this week to see what they get to do!

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A Little Taste of Home

Ugh. I hate being in limbo. I am ready to start school and get all my classes going and learning started, but I have to wait on my books and materials to get here. They should be arriving in a little less than a week. I guess I should just take this time to relax before I jump in feet first. Once I get started, I am going to be on it like white on rice, so I guess I will just enjoy a few more days of "downtime".

But, on a side note, I finally got out our pictures and decor. It is amazing how much different and more like home our little house feels having our family around. Well, they are just pictures, but it makes me feel better anyway. I have been missing everyone back home SO much! It is great being able to "see" them every day!

 I still have more pics to add to the Family frame, but I think it looks pretty good for now. :)

 I did NOT want that hutch, but I think it has grown on me. I like the "country" feel to that side of the room. :)

I just want you all to know that Alex absolutely LOVES the pics in the frame to the right. He points to Nonni & Pappi (my parents) kissing and thinks it is the funniest thing ever! :D

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It's OFFICIAL!!

What a GREAT day!! Today, I have officially become a college student!! It only took me eleven years to decide on a career, any career. I have always been afraid I would go to school for the wrong reasons and end up hating my profession or just simply not using it. But, today, I got my student ID, and I am official!! I truly never thought I would be so excited about school. Excited may be an understatement. I am ECSTATIC!!! I know this is just the beginning of an even better life for myself as well as my not-so-little family! Life is only getting better from here!

Since we are on the topic of school, I figured I had better share these handsome guys' pictures with you. I, for one, think they are some of the best looking guys out there!

William David, 2nd grade

Trey, 5th grade

I am hoping to get family pictures done soon, but, let's be real, it probably won't happen until Christmastime. I will keep you all posted! 

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Time to Grow Up..

I know, I know, I know. I haven't updated in a week. I have been pretty "blah", to say the least. I am not going to get into all that. It is simply feminine issues, and I am sure no one wants to know details. Therefore, I will spare you.

That wasn't the only issue, however. I am still playing Mommy and Daddy. I am not sure why this month is such a problem for me. I thought I had pretty much mastered playing both roles, considering the two 12-month deployments, as well as simply living in different states for a while. But, for whatever reason, this month has been quite a bit harder for me to find my patience and routine. We are just over a week into yet another separation... (maybe I shouldn't use that word. There are too many stipulations on that word. We are not separated as in divorcing, just to be clear. Separation as in more Army training that can't be done where we are at this time. Meaning, he is off at classes to further his career, and the boys and I are here holding down the house until he gets back.) ...and I feel like I nearly lost my mind last week. I barely got to talk to Hubby, as he has been busy training. The boys all push me as far as they can as soon as Daddy leaves (happens every time). I was just feeling overwhelmed. But things are finally starting to calm down, and I am adjusting. I think, honestly, that I have gotten too comfy with him here. Isn't that a strange thing to say? Even typing it didn't feel right. But, it is a true statement. I became too dependent on my husband. As an Army wife, that is the wrong thing to do. On top of all that, I QUIT SMOKING!!! I know, yay for me! But, it hasn't helped with my positivity over the last week. I am now about 5 days without a cigarette, so I would say I am past the worst of it. My nerves were absolutely shot during the first few days, though, and having all the boys home for 3 days this weekend during everything else... I just wanted to hide in my room, under my blankets, and not come out until everything was quiet. Knowing that was going to happen, unfortunately, the boys caught the brunt of my "transition", we'll call it. We have all made it through.... relatively unharmed.

On a much happier note, everything was approved, and SCHOOL STARTS OCT 19th!!!! I am so excited! I am a little nervous and anxious, though, as well. I mean, I have been out of school for 11 years! Now, I have to jump right back in and get an Associate degree in half the time it usually takes. Wow. The Queen song "Under Pressure" just started playing in my head. Ha! No worries. I am determined. After all, I will be 30 years old next year.... I would say it is time for this Mommy to grow up!

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Such is life..

A new month, and less time with hubby. C'est la vie. The countdown has begun, but one day, there will be no more countdowns, and no more time apart. I could tell you how excited I am for those days! But, I am sure you already know.

We all have learned over the last few years to keep ourselves busy. Otherwise, I am pretty sure we would drive each other insane being cooped up in the house. So, what are we doing? Well, Trey is in the soccer club after school. He wanted to play basketball, but they were only allowing the 3rd graders to do that. (He's in 5th, for those of you that don't know.) He is so athletic. He wanted to do something active. He is wanting to get back into baseball in the Spring. Hopefully, William will get a chance to do that too. Poor thing always misses out when it comes to Spring sports. But, that is a "rant" for another time. WD is wanting to play football and baseball. I think playing a team sport would help him a lot. Anyone agree? I will keep you updated. Alex, well, he is my little helper. He helps with the dishes, laundry and picking up toys. It takes a little longer to get things done (and sometimes things have to get done twice), but what kind of mommy would I be if I told him no to helping?! Not going to happen. Patience is what makes a good mommy. That is one of my favorite lessons to have learned over the last 10 years, and these boys test me on it every day, I assure you.

*Just to tell you a little bit of the excitement that is the House of Shu, I just had a small kitchen fire. Of course it would happen today. Why not? Everything fun happens when he's out playing Army. He's just missing out, I guess. Ha! Besides, everything can't always be in order. What kind of fun would that be? I like to mix it up some. (It was just a little grease fire. No biggie. It put itself out with no damage. All is good.)

I have lost all train of thought now... could be from the mindless dribble that is on television, but I just can't get enough of Maury. Though my life has at times resembled a Jerry Springer episode, I have cut out the drama in my life. Therefore, I soak up day-time talk shows in all their dramatic glory. It reminds me of certain people in my past and brings a smile to my face and a warmth in my heart knowing those people are no longer a part of my life or the decisions I make. And, it makes me thankful to be one of a seemingly dying breed that still learns from her mistakes.

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Well, where do I start....

This is my very first blog.. ever. I am starting this for a new hobby but also to keep my family back home "in the loop". So, if you want to know what is going on in the House of Shu, this would be the place to find it.

So, what's going on here? Today, not so much. I got up, got the boys off to school, loaded and ran the dishwasher from my laziness last night after dinner, and watched some Good Day L.A. Now here I am. On the computer, which I haven't decided is a step up or step down from being on my phone; I am rarely without it, as you know. It is sad how technology seems to be the only thing keeping my life (somewhat) on track. I would (and have) forget birthdays, doctor appointments, etc. Not to mention, what would I do while I am "watching" Robert's shows that put me to sleep?? ;) All in good fun, of course.

But, back to us. I have decided to start college (FINALLY)!! I have changed my mind so many times, but I am set in now and just waiting on MyCaa, which is a financial aid program for military spouses. I was going to become a Physical Therapy Aide, but I realized that was just a certificate program and not an actual degree. So, broadening my future options, I have decided on becoming a Medical Assistant. This is an Associates degree and can get my foot in the door in doc offices, hospitals, etc. I still have every intention of becoming a Physical Therapy Assistant down the road, but I do not currently have that option. Should I wait to start any career until I have the option that I ultimately want? I say no. With the MA degree, I can get to work pretty much anywhere. However, with the PT Aide certificate, I could maybe get a job in a PT office. That would be fine, great even, but there isn't quite a demand for that as there is for MA. Blah, blah, blah, right? I know. Summing up, that is the reason I chose MA, and I couldn't be more excited about starting an actual career, as opposed to just "figuring it out" when we get out of the Army.

Since I have brought it up, I guess I better continue the Army discussion. Robert and I have talked a lot about getting out or staying in and yadda yadda. We both are beyond ready to be back home with our family and 'normalcy', if you will. We were perfectly happy being in CO, a mere 2-day trip to visit. Being here, in CA, in the middle of nowhere (or middle of everywhere, as some have put it), is not at all working for me. I know. It's all about ME, right? Ha! Not even a little bit. I am just speaking for the family, if I may do that. Robert is gone at least half the month, every month, and has a lot to deal with at this post. He is leaving Sunday, Oct 2nd for WLC at Fort Bliss, TX. He will be there approx. 4 weeks. Where again, I get to be Mom and Dad. Such is life. I am not complaining. Perhaps just venting a little. I love Robert and am so very proud of him. The Army life is not for everyone, and it is definitely not as glamorous as so many make it out to be. We have a better life than we ever have. I just miss being a family for more than a 4-day weekend once a month, or two weeks a year during deployments. Ok. Rant over.

The boys are all doing great! But, I will have to get into that a little later. I have spent more time than I expected to on this already. Having to stop every 2-3 minutes to get Alex a drink or out of a cabinet or kiss a boo-boo may have hindered the time it has taken me to write a few things, but, hey, this is my life! :)

Hope all is well with everything and everyone!<3

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