Happy Mother's Day!

I just wanted to take some time today and give thanks for having such wonderful ladies in my life.
Happy Mother's day to Mamoo, Ma Beach, Grammy, Grandma W, Grandma S, my sister-in- law Sarah, and all of the other mother's out there.
Love you girls!

Mother/daughter brunch

My mother's day weekend is off to a brilliant start so far! Last night, I went to Cherry Point for a hail & farwell for Ben's squadron. It is always nice to meet new folks, visit with somewhat new friends, and sadly say good-bye to others. After that we went to small group, we always have a blast there....that just goes without saying!

This morning, Kendall and I went to our first mother/daughter banquets. It was so much fun! We both won a prize & had a good time visiting with friends.

Here we are before we left this morning!

I am about to be on my way to a pedicure in a few minutes when Ben gets home from Lowe's. Hope your weekend is going as well as mine so far!

Links to the pictures from Ben's triathlon

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These are the pictures taken by the professional photographer. Best I can do since the kids and I weren't there! Hope you enjoy :-)

Friday Fill-ins

And...here we go!
1. Apples are to oranges as Mothers are to Fathers.
2. I'm exhausted and that's all I have to say about that.
3. I think I hear Noggin playing in Kendall's room. (Has that little stinker got the remote again?)
4. American flag.
5. Do what you want to do, but you are going to go to time out if you don't listen to mommy.
6. Ben went running and behind him was a Radio Flyer wagon; in the wagon was a bucket filled with clover flowers. (Guess you need to be a member of our crazy household to know why we are laughing about this one!)
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a hail & farewell for Ben's squadron and stopping by small group, tomorrow my plans include my first mother/daughter banquet, a pedicure, & some quality time with my family and Sunday, I want to wish everyone a Happy Mother's day!

Worth watching!

http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=gWcl3TZbkQSv4Jk1KBps2TM2Mzc4NDQ-&referred_by=15539306-pCU6Vwx&p=moveon

Thanks Leanne! This really made my day!

nurses week

Happy Nurses Week! May 6-12!



In 1857, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote a poem titled Santa Filomena, in which he described how a young woman watched over the patients in the army hospital at night, alone and carrying a lamp. "In that hour of misery, a Lady with a lamp I see ..."

Those words not only immortalized Florence Nightingale, but also the profession she was practicing during the Crimean War-nursing. After returning from that war in 1856, she worked as a leader of the movement to reduce sickness and poverty in Britain. She became a public health adviser to governments all over the world. Though many believe it, Nightingale did not invent nursing. There were already female nurses in British hospitals before 1856. What she did do was to make it safe for single women to be employed as nurses. This opened up a new career opportunity for middle-class women, and improved the quality and quantity of female nurses.

Nightingale died in 1910 and was buried in the churchyard in England. But her legacy lives on with each graduating class of nursing students.

To recognize the many contributions of the profession, Dorothy Sutherland of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare sent a proposal to U.S. President Eisenhower asking him to proclaim a special day for nurses. There was no proclamation rendered. However, later that year, National Nurses' Week was observed marking the 100th anniversary of Florence Nightingale's mission to Crimea.

In 1974, after the proclamation by the International Council of Nurses that May 12, would be 'International Nurse Day,' President Nixon designated a week as 'National Nurse Week.'

Eight years later, the American Nurses Association board of directors, in a joint resolution with the United States Congress, designated May 6, to be 'National Recognition Day for Nurses.' President Reagan then signed this proposal.

This day was expanded to a week (May 6-12) in 1990. The week begins on May 6, with the 'National Recognition Day for Nurses' and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale.

"Nurses' Week was created to honor the nurses that give care to millions of patients each day of the year," says Ann Pelissier Neeld, vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer at Battle Creek Health System. "It is no surprise that the public continuously rates nursing as one of the most respected professions. Their healing hands and vigilant attention to their patients' needs nurture the human spirit. While complimentary words are not adequate to express the gratitude of patients for their kindness and countless, selfless deeds throughout the year, BCHS can extend our heartfelt thanks annually during Nurses' Week."

Happy Birthday Ma Beach!

We hope you have a happy,happy birthday! We can't wait to celebrate in July! Have a great day.
Love you!

True Colors personality test

So a few weeks ago we had a morale coffee for Ben's squadron where we had a guest speaker that lead us through our colors personality test. I found that results fascinating and have been reading different things about mine to Ben. (I am sure that he is ready for me to shut-up about it already!)
There are several things that we had to do to get our "colors." You get your first color and also your second because that is what makes you an individual. (No two blues are going to be the same etc.)
I was a Blue/Gold. I was very blue which according to our speaker accounts for only 15% of the population except if you are in the Marine Corp family. Apparently it jumps to over 50% for USMC spouses.
There is a lot more in the book that we got but I don't want to bore you guys so I have boiled it down to something very simple.
Here are what my colors say about me.

Blue represents calm. Contemplation of this color pacifies the central nervous system. It creates physiological tranquility and psychological contentment. Those with Blue as a Primary Color value balance and harmony. They prefer lives free from tension... settled, united, and secure.
Blue represents loyalty and a sense of belonging, and yet, when friends are involved, a vulnerability. Blue corresponds to depth in feeling and a relaxed sensitivity. It is characterized by empathy, aesthetic experiences, and reflective awareness.

Gold is the body's natural perceptions. It represents a need to be responsible, to fulfill duties and obligations, to organize and structure our life and that of others. Those with Gold as a Primary Color value being practical and sensible. They believe that people should earn their way in life through work and service to others.
Gold reflects a need to belong through carrying a share of the load in all areas of living. It represents stability, maintenance of the culture and the organization, efficiency, and dependability. It embraces the concepts of home and family with fierce loyalty and faithfulness.

Whitelake Triathlon

Ben just sent me the results for his triathlon from this past Sunday. He completed this sprint in 1 hour 21 minutes and 52 seconds. (Something it would probably take me all day long to do!) He was 8th for his age group and 83/324 men. (I am not sure where he placed overall...maybe the results are not out for that yet?) I think that he did great but he is always striving for perfection. He will be working his magic again on May 30th at the Cherry Point triathlon.

Update: Ben was 93rd out of 550!! AWESOME job babe!

Weekend Fun!

We have had a great weekend! It was certainly jam packed and I must say I am bummed that Ben has to go back to work tomorrow where we have no down time but I guess that's the way the cookie crumbles right?
Friday evening we had a great time at game night with our small group. We are looking forward to our new study but are also happy to spend time just clowning around as well.
Saturday was spent having a community wide garage sale where we got rid of a fair amount of stuff. We also spotted a battery powered jeep that we snagged for Kendall and eventually Isaac. Here is a video of the maiden voyage of the jeep plus some footage of the daddy horsie.




My Friend Kelly & I hosted a SURPRISE baby shower for our friend Kim today. Here are the pictures from our fun day!




How some might watch their children. (Love you Beegee!)

Ben completed his first triathlon of the season this morning as well. It was in White Lake, NC and we are waiting to hear what his results were since he raced home to help me throw some things together for the baby shower.

The last videos from April

My kiddos

The only thing that would make this picture more perfect is if Kahlua would have cooperated to be in it!

Kendall was thrilled that Isaac wanted to cuddle with her!
Here we are coming to the weekend again! Holy cow time flies :-) We had a great week. Ben took his EWS test that he missed while he was out in California & continues to fly and do his normal office stuff. He is gearing up for a triathlon this Sunday. We will not be able to go and watch because I am having some of the girls over to the house later on that afternoon.
I have enjoyed our normal activites...PMO for Kendall, lap time at the library, my monthly night out with the girls was this week, and of course our ladies bible study. (The actual study is not as interesting as the Beth Moore one we just completed but I love the girls in my small group!) We also have small group tonight & a community wide garage sale that we are participating in tomorrow. Hope y'all have a great weekend!

Activites from last weekend

Aggie Muster here in Jacksonville

With my friend Beth, who is a survivor!

We will be praying for you that your scans come back negative again this Friday!!

Princess Play

I am the Indian princess on the right. (And that is what forever the IUP mascot will be to me!)

Aunt Jen and Uncle Josh gave Kendall SEVERAL boxes of dress up clothes for Christmas & we decided to have a princess day AHEM or days of princess wear. Hope you enjoy!

Adventures with Isaac (From the past 2 weeks)

Happy Birthday Grammy!

Big Happy Birthday wishes today for my Grammy Heider! We wish that we were there but August will have to be soon enough!
We hope you have a great day!
Love you!

Michelle's Going West Party

We'll miss you guys!

The military definately has a lot of perks but saying goodbye is not one of them so instead we will say see you guys soon!

Manners Matter

Ok,ok so I stole the title from one of Kendall's book that I like to read her a few times a week but SERIOUSLY they do matter!
We were at the tail end of our evening last night.....Ben holding Isaac and me holding Kendall at Relay for life. They were just getting ready to dim the lights to light the luminaries. Here comes my point of MANNERS MATTER.
Ben and I simultaneously saw a woman walking on the track with a lit cigarette, who then proceeded to drop the thing burning onto the track and mosey off like nothing happened. I looked at Ben because I was about to lose it.
HELLO.....we are at Relay where many loved ones have been lost to lung cancer due to smoking & second hand smoke. Can you be any tackier?
Good golly....my blood has been boiling ever since then! So there you go....when you are going to an event aimed at raising money to cure cancer please leave your stinking cigarettes at home and MIND YOUR MANNERS!

8 things

8 Things
I was tagged by Lindsay, one of my bloggy friends, over at http://macmanusfamily.blogspot.com/ to do an 8 Things post.

Here's how 8 THINGS works:-
Mention the person that tagged you.
- Complete the lists of 8's.
- Tag 8 of your wonderful bloggy friends.
- Go tell them you tagged them!

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO:
1. Spending every day with my kids (Some days more than others!)
2. A clean house (Someday it might happen)
3. My trips this year (Charleston in May for a romantic getaway with my hubby, Emerald Isle in June for a beach getaway with my family, Wisconsin in June to see Ben's family, PA in August for my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary, & Texas in November to see the other side of Ben's family)
4. Seeing Kendall run to Ben's car every day when he gets home. (And of course seeing him as well!)
5. Working on planting some trees in our backyard
6. Isaac being done teething
7. The squadron's flight suit party in June.
8. Seeing friends that I have been missing.

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY:-
1. Drove to Cherry Point (52 miles away) with the kids for the morale coffee for Ben's squadron.
2. Took my color personality test (which I will post about later because it was so neat!)
3. Ate lunch with my handsome hubby!
4. unloaded some laundry & washed curtains with little messy handprints on them
5. bathed 2 wiggly kids at the same time
6. Went to Aggie Muster in Jacksonville at Sharp Shooters
7. Went to Relay for Life (Go Beth!!)
8. Hugged and smooshed to wee little heads before they went to bed.

8 THINGS I WISH I COULD DO:
1. Go to Europe with my husband this year.
2. Be more than one place at one time.
3. Work one day a week like I used to (I miss my patients.)
4. Keep my house cleaner and the laundry caught up.
5. Go back to school for my masters and nurse practicioner
6. Teach nursing at a college level
7. Visit all my friends around the country
8. Have another baby (not any time soon but still....are you panicking yet babe?)

8 SHOWS I WATCH:
1.Grey's Anatomy
2. Army Wives
3. Private Practice
4. CSI (Las Vegas)
5. Law and Order (all of them)
6. Survivor
7. Desperate Housewives
8. 24 (Ben and I used to love to do marathon watches of the season prior before we had kids!)

8 BLOGGERS TAGGED: (Ok so I didn't have 8 but 6 has to be good enough! Have fun ladies!)
1. Andrea at http://kevin-andreaturner.blogspot.com/
2. Michelle at http://michelleroo.blogspot.com/
3. Keri at http://www.thecrazyjacksons.blogspot.com/
4. Allison at http://johnstonfamily519.blogspot.com/
5. Stephanie at http://absolutelyblessed.blogspot.com/
6. Melissa at http://juicycrownnotes.blogspot.com/

Friday Fill-ins

And...here we go!

1. Apparently there's some sort of mix-up. (The story of my life!!)

2. I LOVE a sunny day.

3. 2009 has been fantastic so far.

4. "I peed mommy" & that was it. (Pee all over my carpet again...thanks Kendall!)

5. For too long I've been obsessed with what people think of me.

6. I am not obsessed with blogging; I am not!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Aggie Muster at Sharpshooters & Relay for life, tomorrow my plans include more Relay for life & some quality time with my family and Sunday, I want to have ALL of the laundry completed!