Abby woke up in the middle of the night crying she was scared and wanted Daddy. I couldn't put her back to bed so upset, so I let her sleep with me. I will never understand why she can't stay on her half of the bed! When I woke up this morning, I was on the edge of the bed and she was snuggled right next to me leaving most of the bed empty! Dropped Abby at school and Mckenzie and I ran some errands. I made up for not visiting Target last week :) Mckenzie was getting bored and kept telling me I was taking too long. Scott's job called for him today. It really makes ya wonder if they can't keep track of their employees! I am trying to find a place to make Abby's cake for her birthday. I was going to make it myself, but I think I am going to take the easy way out! Decorating cakes is a lot of work! Abby is having a hard time with Scott being gone. I peaked in on her after I put Mckenzie to bed and she was staring at her Daddy doll and crying:( She is so heartbroken and it breaks my heart to see her like this. I don't know what I can do for her other than bring Daddy home and that surely isn't happening any time soon. So, I crawled into bed with her and sang to her until she fell asleep. I don't think I am strong enough to do that every night.

I had very good intentions of getting the girls to church today, but it didn't happen. I think I am a little nervous to take them by myself. They aren't bad in church when there are two of us to entertain them, I just worry how they will act when it is only me. Hopefully next Sunday I will find out! So, today we spent the day lounging around. We did make it to the grocery store which was crazy busy again today. I need to learn not to run out of milk on the weekends! We got to Skype with Scott today. It was nice and hard all at the same time. Mckenzie was just excited to see Scott and kept saying hi over and over. I think she likes watching herself on the camera. Abby had a hard time with it and got very sad talking to Scott. She told me how she wanted Daddy to come home and how much she misses him. Breaks my heart when she says that. Normally when she says things like that when he is gone I get to tell her it will only be a few more days. At bedtime tonight, she insisted she hold onto her Daddy doll. Makes me want to cry when she misses him that much. If only we had a normal job without deployments. It is times like this I really wish we could go back to the way it was in Florida!

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Both girls slept in their own bed all night and only once did I have to get up to find Mckenzie's pacifier. I can't wait until I can throw that darn thing away, but I don't think it will be happening any time soon! That is one battle I'm not sure I can do on my own! Scott called this morning and it sounds like he is settling in nicely. He is still in a temporary room so until he gets a permanent room we will not be able to Skype, but that's ok. Abby has been telling me how much she misses Scott and wishes he were home. I am so thankful his deployment is as short as it is. I cannot imagine him missing an entire year or even longer. We really are blessed. I'm just hoping he won't be gone on as many trips once he returns from this one. The girls and I didn't go anywhere today. We hung out at home and worked on some special craft projects that I need to get in the mail soon. And, I called a guy about the noise in the attic and he was able to come out today. Turns out there are some mice hiding out up there. Lucky us! So, hopefully his humane way to get rid of the mice will work. Otherwise, I will be setting traps and calling my friend to check them!

Woke up to Scott's voice this morning. He called nice and early to let me know he made it safely and he was working already. So glad to hear his voice so early in the morning! We didn't get to talk very long because he had to get back to work. It was nice to be up before the girls so I could get ready for the day without any interruptions. Both girls were more than excited to see it was snowing out this morning. We didn't get much snow, but it was pretty to see falling so gently this morning. Mckenzie and I came back home after dropping Abby at school. I really wanted to go to Target, but I couldn't think of anything I wanted to buy. I don't know of any other week that I have not made it to the store. I better get there next week to make up for missing this week! The girls played outside for a little bit after picking Abby up from school. They had so much fun sliding around and throwing snowballs. Warmed the girls up with some hot chocolate and a fire. Mckenzie threw a tantrum to beat all other tantrums this afternoon. I gave her the choice to nap on her bed or mine and she decided she didn't like either of those options and threw the fit of her life. I finally got her settled down enough to put her on my bed and tried offering her a pacifier, but I didn't have the right paci and ended up searching all over the house for one specific paci. She did lay down and I laid with her. Abby was so good during the whole thing and played with her Barbie dolls in her room. She came in once to see if I could set up the Wii for her, but Mckenzie still wasn't asleep and I didn't dare get up thinking the tantrum would start all over again. So, she went back to playing and before ya know it, I woke up to both girls sleeping in bed with me. I guess we all needed a nap today! I felt so bad that Abby didn't get to play the Wii, but she was really understanding about the whole thing. After dinner, we did movie night and had popcorn and watched a Care Bears movie. Abby asked a million and two questions during the movie and Mckenzie couldn't get enough of the popcorn! Mckenzie asked to share my water with me and it quit being my water two seconds after she put a piece of popcorn in her mouth immediately followed by taking a drink of the water. I don't mind sharing my water, but if I want popcorn, I don't want to eat the remnants from my drink!

Lots to do today. Abby had a playdate at the house this morning with one of her best buddies. They had so much fun playing and the three girls managed to behave themselves with only one little spat. Pretty good if you ask me! It was nice to have some adult conversation too. I get little snippets here and there, but I haven't had much actual conversation lately. After lunch and a short nap for Mckenzie, I dropped the girls off for another playdate with a friends the same age as both girls while I went to the dentist. It was nice not to have to drag them along because I think I go to the worlds slowest dentist ever. One filling took 1.5 hours, of which, I think my mouth was open an hour. Probably not, but it sure felt like it! My hands were numb by the time he was finished as I am not exactly fond of being at the dentist! The girls were excited to see me when I picked them up, but they wanted to stay and play. Unfortunately, we had to go to gymnastics so that wasn't possible. Mckenzie did well in her class today. There was actually two other girls in her class today so she had to work on waiting for her turn. I was surprised at how well she waited until she was called upon. I love how every time I tell her it is time for gymnastics, she tells me she is so excited for ballet. Guess because she wears a leotard with a tutu she thinks she is doing ballet! I caught a few glimpses of Abby during her lesson and she is getting stronger and more brave. Things she was hesitant to try before Christmas, she eagerly tried today. I love seeing the progress in my girls. Abby's teacher gave her the stamper today and Abby went to town. I think she had at least 8 dolphins on one arm! I meant to get a picture, but I forgot to do it before bath. If you look closely, the outlines are still there (so much for washable ink), but not enough to show up in a picture! A quick dinner and bath and the girls are now in bed. The girls wanted to hear the books by Daddy again tonight, but for some reason, I couldn't get the darn things to work. You have to hold the book at the exact right angle to get it to work and then it is only sometimes. Maybe it needs batteries (we put new batteries in the night Scott recorded them)? I don't know, but I do have half a mind to call the company that makes them and let them know they made a piece of junk! I felt so bad the girls didn't get to hear Scott when they were looking forward to it:(

Abby gave her lamb some crackers to eat at lunch!

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

We actually made it to school on time this morning with little to no arguments. I love days that start like that. It always gives me hope for the rest of the day! That hope ended when Mckenzie and I were out running errands and I realized I forgot her pacifier. You would have thought the world was coming to an end the way she was crying and carrying on in the post office because she just needed to have her pacifier. We did manage to get to the grocery store to pick up some bread without too much difficulty and then we headed back home. As soon as we got home, Mckenzie was on a mission to find her missing pacifier. She just loves them. I can't wait to get rid of them. It seems as though in every picture I take of her, she is sucking on that silly thing. Abby told me she had a great day at school when we picked her up. She even told me they are working on the letter L this week. Usually she just says she learned nothing when I ask what she learned in school today. I take this as a sign of progress! Once we got home, the girls started fighting over toys almost as soon as they walked in the door. So, today, the girls lost a handful of toys because they couldn't share. They were very upset and finally starting getting along well enough that I could work on cleaning the house. Every once in awhile, I would hear a little argument start and all I would have to say is "Do I need to come in there?" and the spat would be over. Scott and I have taken toys away in the past and it never seems to do any good. Maybe it worked today because I added a few tears to the mix after what seemed like the millionth argument! During dinner, Abby was telling me a little more about her day at school. It was fun to listen to her gossip about her friends. One thing she said to me was "You know what? JP likes Shay and Shay likes JP!" with this cute little smile on her face. Oh, a funny thing Mckenzie said tonight as she was sitting on the potty was "get rid of old gas. need new gas!" because her tummy was hurting and I told her it was just gas. I love the little things the girls say. For bedtime story tonight, I let the girls read the books Scott recorded for them before he left. They were so excited to hear his voice! I thought tonight would be the perfect night for it because Abby told me a couple of times today how she wished Daddy was home :( I talked to Scott today. Sounds like he had a long, uncomfortable flight and is waiting for another long, uncomfortable flight. I hope he finishes traveling soon and can get settled in.

Rockin' my glasses!



She loves to play piano, especially sad songs as she calls them. So, instead of singing loudly, she sings ever so sweetly while she gently plays the keys.

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

After I put Abby back to her bed, she did stay there all night. It was Mckenzie's turn to sleep in my bed last night. She came over around 4/5 and told me she was hungry and wanted her yogurt. I don't know what is so great about those yogurts, but I need to try one soon. That kid is addicted to them. Nevertheless, I was not about to start my day that early and I managed to get her to drink a cup of milk instead. That held her off until shortly before 7 which is much more acceptable to me. Mckenzie had a follow up eye appointment today in Philly. Doc says all looks good with her eye and we only need to come back yearly now. Thank goodness. Not that it is a long drive, but that it takes forever to get seen by the doc. We were there an hour and a half for what was literally a five minute visit. Our doc is great though and he just loves Mckenzie.He picked her up and hugged her and let him sit on his lap while he did his charting. She was in heaven because he let her help push keys on the keyboard! So, for good medical care, I am willing to spend the time. We stopped at Chick fil A on the way home as a reward to the girls for behaving so well at the doctor's. They were both excited to get to play and the best part for me was they didn't throw a fit when it was time to go. I told the girls one last time down the slide and when Mckenzie got to the bottom, she smiled at me and with one finger in the air asked, "one more time? five more times?". I caved and let her go down once more! Who could resist that little smile? I put Mckenzie down for a nap when we got home and Abby and I hung out together. I had a dentist appointment this afternoon. Turns out I broke a filling and it needs to be repaired. But, the doc didn't have time to do that today as they just squeezed me in. The girls were good and played in the waiting area. I love that they have a play area for the kids and the front desk staff will keep and eye on your kids while you are in the back. I only wish the doc didn't talk so much to everyone. It took over an hour to get an xray and for the doc to look at it. The kids were getting restless by the time we left since it was dinner time. I hope I can find someone to watch them for me on Thursday when I go back so they don't have to sit there again this week! Both girls went to bed pretty easily tonight. Mckenzie did ask to sleep in my bed, but I have discovered that if I walk away from her after saying no, she will follow me to her room without much of a battle. That is the way I like to end the day!

I didn't have a photo of the girls today, so I thought I would use this one of Scott and the girls. Miss ya babe and I hope you get some rest on your long flight!

Monday, January 3, 2011

Abby started back at school today and she was very excited to go. I only had to ask her once to get dressed which is the rarity! She picked out a sweater and then asked if Mckenzie could wear the same one. We were in a rush to get out the door which seems to be the story of my life. I really wish that I was more organized in the mornings! Mckenzie and I came back to home hang out. I really should have done some cleaning, but I didn't feel like it. And, I wanted to sort all those clothes and get them listed on Craig's list, but I didn't get around to that either. Mckenzie and I played and before ya know it, it was lunch time and nap time. Unfortunately, it wasn't until nap time that I realized that I left bear in Abby's basket at school. I felt so bad for Mckenzie having to take a nap without her lovie, but she did really well. I just gave her a stuffed animal and she was good to go (after a few tears). We picked Abby up from school and she was very happy to tell me about her day. The girls and I must have been in some kind of mood this afternoon, because it was chaos around here. Timeouts, fighting over toys, just not a good day. I am hoping tomorrow is better :) We are one day closer to Scott coming home. If I look at it that way, it won't seem to be as long! My email account got hacked this morning and I lost every email I had! I am so irritated that someone would do that. I never made hard copies of the emails that I have for the school board and I feel lost without them. I managed to get all the stuff out of the garage for bulk garbage pickup tomorrow. I just hope they take it all! The only thing that was difficult to get down to the curb was the queen bed! On a good note, we got to talk to Scott today. He is still waiting on a plane to take him overseas. He should be leaving very early in the morning as long as the mission doesn't get pushed back again. I guess this is part of the reason he needs to leave so much earlier than his actual report date. Mckenzie went to be very easy tonight, but Abby didn't want to go to bed again. She is now sleeping in my bed. I hope this doesn't become the new norm!

Kind of a rough day around here. Scott packed and spent as much time playing with the girl as he could fit in. Every now and again, I would catch him looking at one of the girls and there would be a tear or two in his eye. After lunch, we drove Scott to the airport. It was a quiet drive, but we didn't need to talk. Nothing could change him leaving and we knew what the other one was thinking without saying it. Scott simply rested his hand on my leg while I drove to the airport. It was enough. Watching Scott say goodbye to the girls was heart wrenching. I can't imagine how hard it was on him. Mckenzie soaked in all the kisses and hugs, not really understanding what was happening. Abby, on the other hand, knew what was happening. She only gave a few kisses before turning away from Scott. It was hard to leave Scott and even more difficult to listen to Abby sobbing in the backseat as we drove away. I hated listening to her cry and not being able to fix it. She finally cried herself to sleep and Mckenzie fell asleep to, so instead of driving straight home, I drove around for another hour. I woke the girls up to do a little grocery shopping and we came back home for dinner. When we pulled into the driveway, Mckenzie saw Scott's truck and excitedly shouted "Daddy's home" and Abby got all excited too. I felt terrible telling the girls that he wasn't, just his truck was. I let the girls watch a movie after dinner and then it was time for a bath and bed. We read books in my bed and now both girls are giving me trouble about going to sleep. I hope they fall asleep soon because it is back to school tomorrow for Abby. Can't have her going to school all tired.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year! We started off the New Year by being a little lazy this morning, just hanging out around the house. Scott and I cleaned out the garage this afternoon. It took a couple of hours, but my car will now fit (though I am a little scared to pull it in because the car is so big and the garage isn't!). Scott took a truck full of stuff to recycle and another truck full of stuff to good will. We have more to take to Good will, but I can get that done. The girls played out in the snow for awhile and then came in to warm up by the fire. It wasn't cold out, it was just wet as the temp was in the 40's or 50's. Very nice day to organize the garage and play outside. When we came inside to check on the girls, they were both running around in their undies. Abby said it was because they were cold. I guess that means their clothes were cold so they took them off. Not really sure, but I do know our kids like to run around sans clothing. I managed to clean out our closet today and I am determined to get something done with all those baby clothes we still have. I had Scott bring them downstairs for me so there will be no way I can continue to ignore them! I also managed to get 5 or 6 loads of laundry washed, folded, and put away!I didn't get to play with the kids much, but I was trying to let them have a little alone time with Scott. Besides, if I watch him play with the girls, all I can think about is how this is the last night he gets to play with them or tuck them into bed for quite awhile:( Abby was funny at dinner tonight. She asked me when her boobies were going to get long like mine are. Not exactly the description I was looking for... Tonight at bedtime, Scott gave each girl a quilt that has photos of the family on it. Just another way he can be with the girls whenever they want him to be.