Where has the time gone ...

Wow! I just realized ...it's been forever! I've been completely wrapped up in school and Christmas stuff and have forgotten about everything else going on around me :) The boys are getting very excited about their trip to Meemah & Papa and Grandma & Grandpas. They remind me everyday to cross off a day on the calendar so we can go sooner :) I find this pretty brainy of them both. I have to admit I'm pretty excited too. This past week I also realized that Australia is 8 MONTHS AWAY!!! Ahhh! It's sneaking up on us. So much to do ...so little time!!!
All-in-all it's been fairly quiet of course with the normal amount of crazy that has become our everyday life. We look forward to our travels and much needed family time.


BRE

It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas!!!

Greeting Friends!!
It's official! Christmas must be near, Alabama and Georgia are finally getting cold. YAY! This Christmas is going to be very exciting but a little sad too. This will be our last Christmas with our families for a few years because the next 2 will be spent living in AUSTRALIA!!!!! The time is nearing quickly. I was doing the math the other day and realized we only have 9 months until we leave, holy cow!!! The excitement has always been there, but it's really starting to hit now :)

This Christmas we will be making the 18 hour drive to NY. I think it's funny when people question our sanity on our decision to drive but hear me out, this is the best way and this is why.....
1. Our dogs are our family. They go where we go, so to fly 2 American Bulldogs up north would cost us a months pay. LOL!
2. Usually when we go home it's during peak travel times, we would spend just as much time waiting for our flights, flying, and on delays as we would traveling by car. At least in my car we can scream at the kids and threaten them ridiculously without having to worry about offending someone. LOL. OK OK Just Kidding, but seriously...think about it ;)
3. Cost efficient. We now would have to buy 4 tickets to fly. My babies aren't babies anymore :( so they need their own seats.
4. (My Most Favorite) If you are going to marriage counseling then driving is the option for you. Michael and I have learned so much about each other on our drives to NY and back. You are forced to communicate with each other for 18 straight hours. You'd be amazed how productive this time can be. Anything that I want to talk about (decisions, future hopes, changes, unresolved issues) I make a mental note of for our driving discussions. We always connect really well during these trips. In all honesty, Michael and I look forward to these drives, it's guaranteed time together :)

With this all being said, yes! There are times I wish we could just go to the airport and be there in a few hours. But believe me, it's not as easy as it sounds. We did try this and it was a nightmare. Had we driven, we would have been there before we actually got there by flying..long story :( Not one I care to re-live right now. So friends, if you have not braved a long, driving adventure with your family I strongly urge you to try. You might just learn something new about your family and gain a new respect for your spouse. AND, if you do decide to road trip it sometime, contact me. I'll give you some useful pointers for traveling with kids and dogs :) Hmmm a possible future blog maybe????


BRE

It's been forever ....

Hi Friends....
          Sooo sorry it's been so long. It's been a very busy week and a half. Xanny and Lou had last week off from school and man were they wild!!! We had fun though and in reality, I'm glad I was able to enjoy that time with them. I learned a lot about each of them ..weird, right??? Honestly, this past year has been a non-stop roller coaster ride and my sweet boys have had to tag along. Sometimes I wonder what goes on in their innocent little minds, do they think I'm nuts?? Mean? Grumpy? Over-whelming? Funny? Nice? As much as they drive me wild, they drive me to keep going...to be a better person.... to enjoy life. I really needed last week of "nothingness" with them. It was the perfect time to reflect on the past and dream for the future.

          Xanny really enjoyed having some "off time". He thought it was great that we didn't have to rush out the door first thing in the morning. He discovered some new morning cartoons and perfected the art of making a fluff sandwich.. LOL. He enjoyed getting Christmas decorations out and helping in the kitchen, sometimes he was a little too helpful :) But one thing that I really enjoyed was being able to see what a cool kid he is. I am always so busy keeping him in-check that sometimes I forget to sit back and let him be. This is when I feel like I am a failure as a mother but then I realize, at least I have noticed and now I can reflect and correct :) He loves to build, play games, and create any kind of art. He went through 2 things of water color in less than a week. I love that! He's so unique and creative and I need to remember this always.
        
          Louden, on the other hand has had lots of time with his Momma. He's the Mommas boy of the two. However, he has taken quite a liking to Daddy these days. He loves to snuggle up next to Michael on the couch and watch Football. When he suddenly gets the urge to move he will run and find a football so we can all sit in the living room and play catch. This has become a Sunday ritual. What's even more entertaining is that Louden is a little peanut. He's a short lil' Blondie with the attitude of a cobra. He may be short but I think he can take on just about anything, I have to admit, sometimes I'm a little afraid of him... LOL!! I guess when you have Xanny as a big brother you have to learn to hold-you-own pretty quick. :) On a sweeter note though, Lou has brought to my attention his love of Christmas, dancing, and Super Hero's!!!! I don't think I've ever seen a 2 year old with as big of an obsession as Lou, heck... I don't think I've noticed a 2 year old into superheros, "PERIOD".  He'll wear his Transformers, Batman, and Ironman mask all day long if he had it his way. I love all of this about him. It make Lou, ... Lou.

          I will be posting more regularly  (hopefully) in the weeks to come since it will be a very eventful. Take care and God Bless, XOXO.

BRE

And so it begins .....

It's official. The holidays are here!!!!  Xanny and Louden had their Thankful Fest at school Thursday and I have to admit, I got a little teary-eyed because I realized it was going to our last Thankful Fest at 1st Pres. Xanny has been going to this school since he was a year old. He loves it there and they love him. He thrives there. His teachers have been fantastic and they understand him. They love him for who he is and all his little wacky traits :) and Louden has gone from they little screaming boy at carpool to the little boy who screams at carpool on Monday and Friday because he doesn't get to stay at school those days. The whole way home I get to listen to him scream.... "I's school, mama........ Mary's class, mama" (his Teacher, obviously). I love it that they love it so much there and that's why I'm a little sad that this is our last year and that Louden will not grow up there like Xanny did. Guilt??? Maybe a little, but at the same time I'm so excited for the new adventure in our future.
This weekend marks the beginning of the holidays. The boys have the week off for Thanksgiving break meaning that mommy has the week off from running around. I'm looking forward to spending some time with my little monkeys and getting ready for the holidays. They both are getting very excited about Christmas movies, Santa, cookie baking, and most of all our trip to NY. At some point everyday, Xander will ask if we are going to Meemah and Papa & Grandma and Grandpas today... and everyday I have to tell him no not today, a few more weeks. I can't wait for the day I pick him up from school and am able to tell him Yes! and today's the day! :) Might need a video camera :)
As for everything else, well...  everything is good. We are getting excited. This week just makes it so we are another week closer to seeing our family. I have much to do in the next few weeks so I welcome the busy work because I too keep asking, Is today the day we're going to Grandma's House???? :)


BRE

I LOVE OUR VETERANS!

This week has been a long one. Even with a day off in the middle. This week is an important week though, it's a week for all of us to take a moment and remember our precious veterans. It's easy to overlook the importance of each and every veteran with all the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life and politics of course, but it is because of our brave veterans that we are able to live so freely and carelessly. I am HONORED to be a grand-daughter, a daughter, and a wife of some amazing veterans. So, Thank you precious veterans. Your bravery, strength, and selflessness amazes me. God Bless!

BRE

Some days, some weeks, are harder than others...

Have you ever had one of those super discouraging, annoying weeks and you honestly cannot figure out why??? I've been having that kind of week. I hate weeks like that because I'm usually an upbeat, optimistic person so to feel grumpy and annoyed throws me off :( Not to mention my family suffers as well I'm sure. I sit here and try to reason with myself and force myself to snap out of it but sometimes I think we are entitled to be a little grumpy every now-and-then. Hopefully the weekend will change my spirit. It's time to get ready for the holidays, and there is no way I will allow myself to remain in a funk! :)

Holidays are my favorite! I grew up in a holiday-spirited family! Holidays are magical where I grew up. As corny as that sounds, I only wish I could make them the same way for my boys. I do try, believe me but to be so far from family makes it difficult because many holiday "events" require willful teamwork. Cookie baking, shopping, cooking, decorating, festivals, church events, and etc are all important in the making of magical holidays. It's not has much fun doing it by yourself with two wild monkeys and a hubby who is almost comparable to Scrooge, LOL .... Ok not really, he's just very simplistic and feels there's no need for all the extra "fluff and frills." He's beginning to come around a little bit but still this could be a long process, lol! I have always found this side of him very interesting because he is so incredibly friendly, giving, and compassionate. To me, these are the qualities of a Holiday Spirit. Oh ...and by-the-way, I say "Holiday" not for P.C. reasons, but because I speak of the whole season, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Don't go there with me :) Christmas is CHRISTMAS and I'm not sorry if I offend you. Jesus is the reason for the Season :)

BRE

Trick-or-Treat ....Welcome November!!!

                          Xanny a.k.a Darth Vader                                              Louden a.k.a. PissyPants Skunk

Michael a.k.a Super Cock!

Well........ Need I say more about our Halloween??? HAHAHAHAHA! What an interesting one it's been. Xanny was actually a Police Officer for school and he played the part very well and  Louden, well he's not the most enthusiastic skunk ever, but very cute. And then there's Mike... I have nothing to say, the picture speaks for itself. However if you want a real good laugh go to YouTube and look up "drunken chicken singing classic def leopard," but make sure you use the facilities first because you may wet your pants. LOL. We lucked out this year the weather was gorgeous and the boys were able to TorT 2 nights:) They thought that was great!! Especially since the 2nd night they were able to go with all their friends on a hayride. This is the way to go!!
I can't believe how fast the month of October has gone by. It has been by far one of the busiest months we've had in awhile but very fun and filled with lots of great people. We are truly blessed. Now that we are headed into November it's starting to hit me that we are running out of time to prepare ourselves. Well, not really, I'm more anxious about the house, everything else will work itself out. Time-management is my enemy, but I'm going to have to kill it with kindness. Tis' the holiday season and we all need to enjoy it. Holidays always seem to stress people out, I know because I'm one of those people, but this year I'm trying to get a jump start. There's really no reason to be stressed if we keep in mind what the holidays are truly about. Family, friends, love, peace, and our Savior. I'm going to try and keep this fresh in my mind this entire holiday season. When I start to get stressed about the shopping list, deadlines, school events, holiday parties, traveling, and selling a home I will stop and remember. Our family/ community (well, our adopted family), has been through one heck of a year but we have remained united and feel constantly blessed to have each other. So I leave you with this: count your blessings, work through your problems, communicate, always say I love you, pray, and enjoy each other and yourself. XOXOXO

BRE

Australia or Bust 2011!

So, I realized after I informed many of you that I had begun a blog because of our upcoming year that I hadn't really "personally" told you about our upcoming year! And what a year it is, and is going to be!  Early this past spring Mike put in a request for an international move within his unit (somewhat laughable considering Mikes unit does NOT have many interantional options other that going overseas every now-and-then and kicking some buttocks!). We were suprised, well more like shocked when not long after his request we were offered a position in AUSTRALIA! Holy Awesomeness! While not matter where we go I will always be a little nervous, my excitement in all of this completely dilutes that. What and amazing opportunity. Of course I'm concerned for my boys, especially since Xanny will be starting Kindergarten "down-under," but I think just living in Australia is a learning experience all together. One thing that was just pointed out to us was that we can still link ourselves up with a U.S. homeschool program. Considering what life has been like the past few years with Xanny, I think this is a fabulous idea. 

Currently, we are in the process of preparing our house for the market. This stresses me out beyond belief. I barely have time to do school work, house work, and my "referee" job as mom, so how on earth will this house ever be ready?? Grrr! The only thing I have going for me right now in regards to preparing the house, is that Michael has been given a wonderful incentive to finish the housework by the end of the year, Harley. This is a topic in need of later explanation. I hoe you are all doing well. God Bless and Enjoy your weekend.

BRE
         

Halloween Week!

So I have decided that children (Especially the Elliott Boys) feel the need to torcher all of society the week prior to Halloween. Do they not know that this just makes parents want to revoke their "Trick-or Treating" rights???? Xanny and Lou have felt the need to try and destroy one another all week and I'm at my wits end. I'm not really sure how to react to this. I've tried to ignore it, discipline, and to reason but no luck. Xanny finally told me the other day that I, was making HIM crazy! Wanted to laugh and knock him out at the same time, HAHAHA. I've heard this happens a lot with same-sex siblings and Mike reassures me of this as well, but I want my boys to love and respect each other and I want to make sure I'm doing everything right in my parenting to ensure this. My mother always said and still does, "Children don't come with manuals," but I sure wish they did! Every night I go to bed and think, "How could this day have gone differently?" "What can I do differently tomorrow?" ..........Does anyone else do that? I hope this is a normal "mom" thing to do.

I will say this on behalf of Xanny and Lou, they keep Mike and I entertained! Some of the stuff they come up I'll admit, is genius. Currently our living room ceiling is covered with stretchy skeletons. A little creepy if you ask me but funny. Xanny figured out that if you get them wet and then throw them upward that they will stick! He thinks he's a pretty funny guy. And then there's Louden, who has figured out how to hide in the cupboard and the drying. It pays to be the Little Man sometimes. And believe me he totally has Little Man syndrome, hahaha!

For the most part they really are best friends, but it's those moments of fighting and ugliness that put me over the edge :) ...What to do. I guess for now the best thing would be to pray for guidance, strength, and Energy!

BRE

A note with more to come ....

                                             Boy's seeing Mike for the First Time in 4 months.

                                                      Xanny always spots Mike First!

I guess before I start sharing insight and details of our lives I should first tell you a little bit about ourselves. We are a Military Family. My hubby has been in the Army for 9 years, and yes... we are "lifers." I will never share too many details about his job because that's part of it, everything he does is super secret... hehehehe ...shhhhh! I moved to be with Mike 6 years ago and I'll admit it now, I never thought we'd still be here today. I thought his military career was going to be short lived and that he'd finish out his time and we'd be back in New York before our lives ever really started as a married couple. Life and the Lord always have a different plan. We both agreed that if Mike (my hubby) re-enlisted then "that was that" ... we were staying in for the entire 20. When Mike re-enlisted, retirement looked so far away but now that we are already at the half-way mark I can't believe how fast its going. I have been with Mike his entire Military career. We dated long distance for the first couple and then in 2004 we got married. Best desicion of my life. Mike is an amazing man. Hard worker, great friend, amazing father, and full of life and ambition. He inspires me to be a better person everyday of my life. He's made sacrifices that no man should ever have to make and does it all graciously. We have been through 12 deployment together, and before your get too confused, Mike's unit only deploys for a few months at a time, not 12-18 month tours. This is a blessing but believe me when I say its a few months that I sit here on anxiously waiting and praying for his SAFE return. The pictures posted are from this past July when he returned home. "Trip" #12 will always remain fresh in my mind. You wouldn't think you'd forget each "trip" but after awhile they all start to feel the same way but not "Trip" #12. This last one will remain special. This last one touched us all. This last one WILL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

BRE

Hello ..... Excited to try something new!

Hello Friends,
Well ... I've been following some blogs and just began a computer course and realized, Blogging is great! I have learned so much from both (class and blogger's) and decided to give it a try. Considering Mike and I have so much to share with everyone all the time and that our lives are so Blessed that I want to be able to share every aspect of with the world. Wish me luck with this. Well, its off the a parent/ teacher conference :) More soon to come!!!

BRE