GroopDealz Giveaway......

GroopDealz is one of my favorite sites to get really great deals!!!  Today they are having a giveaway....check it out, like them on FB, and GOOD LUCK!!!

Click HERE for your chance to enter!!

Nikon D3100 SLR is the prize :D

30 Day Photo Challenge

The saying has been true about the 1st child gets TONS of pictures.  2nd child not so much and I have a feeling the 3rd child would never get in a picture HA (not preggers here just thinking)!! I have one amazing Nikon camera (that I really don't know how to use but have promised myself to learn the blasted thing) and dream of one amazing point and shoot camera.  I tend to blame the lack of pictures of child #2 because it is kind of hard to capture photos with the big Nikon with a dog, 3 yr old, and a rolling around the room 5 month old.

Anywho, a great friend and Blogger over at The Camouflage Flower posted that she is going to start a 30 Day 30 Photo challenge starting June 1st.  I thought why not....may help get me to take more photos :)

Care to join us????

Challenge found at - 

http://superbarbs.tumblr.com/post/4009940862

Happy Thursday!!!

SOS

Well SOS is two things right now....SOS for my Blog.  I haven't logged in since last time I blogged and today I see Blogger has upgraded, made changes, and I still can't get my lay out to fit correctly.  I think I have decided to create a new Blog link and learn how to combine or transfer this blog into the new one.  Feel it will be easier than trying to "fix" all the things I want to change about this Blog.

Another SOS was Old Man (my husband whom I have given this nickname a long time ago HA!) graduated from SOS.  It is a 8 week long Officer leadership school in Alabama (I think it means Squadron Officer School...gold star for this Air Force wife!! HA).  Part of our amazing military family watched the boys so I could fly down to AL for the graduation.  Then Old Man and I drove back to NC with a pit stop in Augusta, GA.  It was our first time in Augusta and we had a blast!!  The area is full of history, beautiful homes, neat downtown area, and I think if it didn't get so blasted hot, I would consider living there.

Here are some pictures from our weekend at Old Man's SOS Graduation and our night stay in Augusta.  Happy Monday!!!

My MIL, Old Man, and Me after the Graduation

Oh so very proud everything he has accomplished so far!

The fabulous Neon-Sign in Dreamland BBQ

(everyone truly should try Dreamland BBQ at least once)

View from our room in Augusta

Part of the river walk area

How I feel about my picture taken LO!!

Where we stayed - perfectly romantic after being 

away from Old Man for 8 weeks

**Life and Blog Under Construction**

For months now I keep sitting down in front of this Blog of mine, trying to muster up a Post or two.  Posts about our life's adventures, story about our newest addition, new recipes, etc.  However every time I sit down, my heart just isn't into it.  When I log in, my brain turns to mush, and I just sigh.  Sigh because I didn't know where to start.  Or like I said, my heart just was not into this Blog.

So I took a huge leap back and decided to do so much needed "looking into the mirror".  I often find myself doing a quick check in the mirror to make sure that I am still on the path I want my life to going.  When I looked in the mirror (many times I would just sit there and talk to myself...crazy I know, but try it....you just may realize it works!!!), I realized I was unhappy with myself for getting off track.  Off track with exercising, not putting my marriage first, saying "yes" to things when I really wanted to politely decline, letting this Blog become something I really didn't want/support, and many other things.

With that realization, I made a plan.  A plan to do some much needed maintenance on my life.  I began first by writing down goals for myself, writing down what is and isn't important to me, and I read a few books (some for fun and one as a self-help form of book).  The "self-help" book I read was A Place Of Yes by Bethenny Frankel.  She lays out 10 rules you should live your life by.  Majority of the rules make sense (for me) and I am giving them a shot.  So far, they seem to be working.

Ten Rules
(by the way, I honestly suggest to read this book.  Even if your life's path is right on track and everything is wonderful, you may just realize there a one or even a few cracks.  Trust me, read it...then come back and let me know what you think.)
1-Break The Chain
2-Find Your Truth
3-Act On It
4-Everything's Your Business
5-All Roads Lead To Rome
6-Go For Yours
7-Separate From The Pack
8-Own It
9-Come Together
10-Celebrate

With all this being said, I feel like I really have a direction for this Blog.  Shoot a direction for my life!

When I first started Blogging I jumped on the band wagon of trying to Blog everyday, designing the Blog to be "commercial" like, and as the saying goes "keeping up with the Jones'".  Which this case the Jones' are fellow Bloggers who are serious about Blogging, do it for money, their business, etc.  That is awesome for them but it is just not what I want, at this time at least.

Sitting back and looking at my Blog I realized I truly don't care if I have 3, 68, or even a few thousands followers.  I don't need a Blog outline of what to post each day of the week.  One of the biggest realization was, I just want to Blog for myself.  Blog about what I think is important.

Case in point, I know I said I would post about our newest bundle of joy's birth story, but I'm not.  That is something I don't want to share to the Internet.  I will tell friends, in person, if they ask, but that is a story I want to keep in his baby book for our family.

Within the next week this site will be undergoing a face life.  Well, I'm hoping it will only take a week HA!  I lost my notes on how to change and format things on this Blog so I am relearning how to design.  I plan to post about only about things that I love, have interest in, or thoughts floating around in my head.  I'm really happy to be back on the path I want to live and look forward Blogging.

Love,
RM

**Bethenny does not know me.  Nor did I get paid to mention her book.  It has just made a impact on my life that I thought to share.  Image taken from Google**

2012 - New Year....Wonder what it will bring!

Our little man will be 6 weeks this coming Friday and I still haven't wrote about his birth or announced his name.  I am trying to give myself some credit and realize that within the past 6 weeks we have went from a family of 3 to a family of 4, celebrated 2 birthdays, a fabulous Christmas, moved into a new home, and are just about out of boxes (well the house is but garage is another story).

As well as the many joys our family has been blessed with, there have been many heart aches as well.  Some heart aches I am still trying to recover from, others I'm not ready to Blog about, and the major realization how we as humans truly take things for granted.

With all the huge changes, I have put my goal of being a better Blogger on hold for about another week or so.  For one of my goals for this new year is to be better organized.  I used to be AMAZING at being organized.  But with the combination of quitting work, first born child, and laziness creeping its way into my life, my organization skills went on a major vacation (cough cough....3 years).  However not any more thanks to a new home, feeling like my kids are ruling the house, and Pinterest.  Yes Pinterest!!

I finally jumped on the band wagon of Pinterest and it has inspired me to get my crafty self back and get majorly organized again (and never let it go...never).

So until I finish one more house organizing project inspired from Pinterest, I will be MIA for a little while longer.  How I hope people are still sticking around this little Blog of mine and we reconnect shortly.  Till then, hope you all had a FABULOUS Christmas, your New Year is off to an amazing start, and know that if you have already broken one or all of your Resolutions (I call them goals), its okay.  Pick yourself up and get back on the horse with your Resolutions aka Goals!!

For it's not the fall that defines you....its how you get back up that does!

37-39 Weeks

Peanut,
You are here!!!  Actually you have been in our arms for two weeks now.  However, before I get to your birth story and sharing your name, I am going to catch up on weeks 37-39 first.

37 weeks -
~Thanksgiving was wonderful.  Had a house full, amazing food, mini-bonfire, and felt very thankful to have amazing friends to spend Thanksgiving with.  I didn't get to do any in-store Black Friday shopping, which I really love to do.  I get in a lot of pain if I walk around too much so I decided it was best to shop online this year.
~We did however get our Christmas Tree.  We were going to go to a farm to cut down our tree but went with a tree stand that was closer to home.  Your dad and I thought this year's tree was the most beautiful one to date.  Your brother, at age 3, really got into picking out the tree and decorating it this year.  We had to make sure to give him shatter-proof ornaments, for he really loves to rearrange the ornaments on the tree.
~We also celebrated the 43d AES Children's Christmas Party.  The theme this year was Polar Express.  Everyone wore their PJs.  Donuts, pastries, as well as Hot Chocolate and Coffee were served at the party.  Then Santa surprised us all and took a break from the North Pole to make a visit at the party.  Your brother didn't want to sit in Santa's lap though.  He stayed in dad's arms and told Santa he wanted a Polar Express Train for Christmas.

38 weeks -
~Your dad and I celebrated our 8th Wedding Anniversary.  I did not want to do anything but just spend the day as a family.  Dad was able to take the day off from work and we did nothing.  It was fabulous!!
~This week was also the 43d AES Adult Christmas Party.  You decided not to come yet, so your dad and I dressed up and partied!!  It was a lot of fun, great laughs, so-so food, but overall a wonderful date night.  It is pretty awesome to be part of a Squadron that is able to and partakes in celebrating the holidays.

39 weeks -
~This week ended up being our last Dr Appt for me being pregnant.  We went in for a routine appt and ended up leaving knowing we were to be induced.  My BP that week was sky high, lots of shooting pain down the right side of my hip and leg, and blood work showed signs of Preeclampsia.  After much discussion with the Dr and your dad, we all agreed that being induced would be best.  How I really wanted to let you come on your own, but even my BP really had me nervous.  Wednesday came and off to the hospital we went!!

Up next is your birth story but till then here are some pictures from weeks of 37-39.
Love,
Mom

Your dad and brother listening to Santa reading a story

All dressed up for the Adult Christmas Party

38 week belly

End of the night....what a wonderful

night celebrating with your dad

Morning of being induced - 39 week belly

33-36 Weeks

Dear Peanut,
The past three weeks have been fun, busy, and I hope to remember everything that has been going on to do a quick recap.  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day and we are having a house full....17 people at last count! So this letter to you may be short since I need to get back to cleaning and cooking.  However, when I think that I am 36 weeks into this pregnancy, this indescribable joy bubbles inside me.  To know that as soon as 4 weeks, you could be in my arms!!! Peanut we are ready, oh so very ready, to meet you little man!!

33 weeks -
~Your dad was given the OIC position in his office just few days after pinning on Captain.  Things have been crazy busy with his schedule, coming home late, going in super early, etc.  However he is trying to make some much needed and positive changes in the office.  I am very proud of him and have no doubt he will succeed at this new position.
~Celebrated Halloween for the first time ever as a family.  Normally your dad has had to work or been on a TDY.  I hung back to take pictures while your brother and dad walked, checked out all the costumes, and collected candy.  It was a wonderful night and look forward to Halloween next year with you!!
~I had fun and went to a Craft Fair.  When we used to live in Louisiana and Mississippi, I would go to craft fairs all the time during the holiday season.  However Ohio didn't seem to have the same love of craft fairs as the South did so I never went to any.  It was great to go again and get some ideas to make my own crafts, especially for Christmas!!

34 weeks
~Nothing major happened this week.  We did take our Maternity/Family Pictures.  Your brother truly can not stand the camera and he was a challenge.  We are staying waiting on the pictures from the photographer so I don't have any to share yet.  I do hope she was able to get some great shots though!! I wonder if you will love the camera like I do, or be just like your brother and make me learn to breathe LOL!!
~This week we also celebrated Veteran's Day.  Your dad was flying and I reflected on our long family history of serving in the military.  More stories to share with you and your brother when you are both old enough to understand!

35 weeks
~This week seemed to kick of the Thanksgiving/Christmas celebrations.  We attended the unit's Thanksgiving Potluck Luncheon and had the best time!! While we were at Ohio, your dad worked in the ICU unit and there were never any parties or luncheons.  So being part of a squadron that is capable of doing parties and plans fabulous parties/luncheons at that, is really wonderful!! Your brother stayed home with "Miss-us Ash-wee" (Miss Ashley fabulous babysitter!!) so I could enjoy a lunch date with dad. 

36 weeks
~Yesterday I had another OB Appt.  It was a so-so Dr. Appt.  You are healthy and right on "target".  The Dr. just wants to do some tests to make sure I am not developing Pre-Clampsia.  Your dad is not worried at all and thinks everything is just fine.  However, me being the one carrying you, I am a little worried.  Just want you as healthy as possible and come when you are ready.
~Like I said earlier, tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  None of the family is coming to visit us and we didn't feel comfortable making the trip all the way back home to Louisiana/Mississippi with me this far along.  All the Root's are having a family reunion in Florida which we truly wish we could attend but we get down there next year.  So the next best thing is celebrating the holidays with our military family.  Often times, your military family truly become closer and feel like "real" family.  As I type this we have about 17 people coming.  Everyone is bringing food, drinks, and plan on watching some football, eating all day, and being thankful.  It is going to be a lot of fun!!

I love you little man! Here is to celebrating Thanksgiving with you next year as a Family of 4!!
Love,
Mom

Pregnancy Highlights

Size of Baby -

You are is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day.  You may weigh almost 6 pounds and be about 18 1/2 inches long.  The way you move I swear you are just a BIG baby - ha!

Weight Gain/Loss -

I have added about another 5ish pounds.  The Dr told me to watch how much I put on the next few weeks.  Not something I liked hearing but your dad did remind me I lost 25 pounds in the beginning.  So if I am hungry, eat.

Gender/Name -

Still our little Elvis.  We did share your name with the photographer for some maternity shots.  If felt weird sharing though :)

Movement -

Not sure if you are head down yet or not.  You still try to flip and have dance parties so I am thinking you are not in "position" just yet.  Your dad and I lay in bed at night and play the game of "guessing which body part this is" because you just move so much! Some days/nights you make me stop in my tracks but overall it is a great feeling knowing you are healthy.

Sleep -

Peanut, yep you need to let me sleep!! I also need to start taking naps :)

Cravings -

Was doing great with zero cravings lately.  However I blame Thanksgiving and Christmas for me wanting Cheesecake.  Cheesecakes have even entered my dreams...not good!

Symptoms -

BP was high yesterday so we are going to monitor for awhile.  Hopefully it was just high from walking the parking lot and the hospital to the appt.  Other than that, heart burn is back with a vengeance.  Still on Zantac but some nights take Tums as well.

Best Moments Of The Past Few Weeks -

-Our Maternity Photos

-Celebrating Halloween

-Unit's Thanksgiving Potluck Luncheon

This Week's Activity -

-Thanksgiving

-Getting our Christmas Tree

-Decorating the house for Christmas

Halloween 2011

Your brother didn't want pictures, he wanted to Trick-Or-Treat!

33 Week Belly

In honor of Veteran's Day this year - 

Picture of your Grandpa Bice's Retirement Ceremony

28 years of Service in the United States Air Force

At 36 weeks, this would be the size of you....

a Crenshaw Melon :)