Monday Mortals

Well, had an FRG BBQ last Friday to welcome the new Bn Commander to 58th. This officially marked my LAST FRG event....Ahhhhh! It's bittersweet to say goodbye to all my ladies, but I know the show will go on and it's still in good hands overall. But, WOO HOO, I'm done! Sorry, I just had a party for one in my head! Here's a homage to my FRG girls...

Thanks for the laughs, the friendships, the shoulder leans, the diligence and the occasional glass of wine. You gals will not be forgotten...

Bon Voyage...June

The time has come and we said goodbye to our friend & Bn Cdr, Steve L...for the record, the air around here feels a little heavy! I am gonna miss his crazy self and his son, Jordan. We sent him off the right way though, doing what we now call his new passion...karaoke! It was fun and sad at the same time. We all did a tribute to Michael (I soloed one of my all time faves, Man in the Mirror). This is how we left it...P.S. I love the smile on his face!!



In other news, I think we are finally going to get orders soon. This means dates will be figured out...I know I've said it before, but I really do think it will happen this time! I am trying to stay positive even IF the Navy Hospital and their liaisons are uneducated slackers. But, it's all good because I have half of my foot in their "you know whats" as we speak. Sooooo....SWEET! I am already getting prepared for life in Germany. I bought Teage some cutie rain boots (everyone has them over here, but I didn't quite think it was that necessary in Oki since all they do is make your feet hot and Lord knows it is hot enough here). BUT, Germany is another story. Black ice and rain and snow...yeah, it's time to bust out the rain boots. Most of you know my disdain for frogs, but these made the cut because they don't actually look like REAL frogs (which again if you know me, you know I am freaked out by only real-looking frogs, not the fake-cartoony ones).

*my reaction would go far and beyond this broad's*

They're just all WRONG! I had to seriously look away when I uploaded this MASTY picture (as my nephew GJ would say)...

However, Keroppi rainboots are harmless. Check out his new kicks...


JD got bright yellow ones and I am still on the hunt for mine and Saige's because you know they gotta be really cute for us to wear them. I wonder if George would mind the bright blue ones w/stars I saw yesterday...hmmmmm!!

We hit up the pool this past week as well. Teage was so cute. He loves the water and all he kept yelling was "I gotta kick Mommy, WATCH"! Saige took our fun pool pic...


Loved it...I think I saw JD once when he was going down the slide. He loves to hide out in the corner and explore. Saige saw her friends there and decided she would just hang BY the pool instead of get in. Besides she says she doesn't like to show off her body (Thank You Jesus)!

This week we are heading off to the beaches to take some 4th of July photos of the kids (and us, too I guess). That should be fun.

What'd you think of theme days on the blog this week? I think it will be a fun addition and it gives me more opportunities to be on the lookout for the next best photo op. I am in the market to get a better lens for the Canon already. I need more zoom and this ones not cuttin' it. I guess we all gotta have a hobby to invest in, don't we?? OK that's all I gots...peace out friendlies!!

Foodie Friday

I love food...as we all do! I am not huge on desserts, BUT I love the bakeries here (as I've mentioned maybe once or twice before-hee hee). So I am willing to keep sharing my love for the Castle shop and post one of their awesome creme puffs. This was just as yummy as it looks....

Who doesn't like fruit with sugar sprinkled on it??

A Legend...

Michael Jackson 1958-2009

I am reeling from the news!! I will never forget in my lifetime that it was my cousin Jennifer who broke the news to me on IM. The King of Pop is gone!! It is very fresh and no I don't have the answer to "WHY?" I can only discuss and mourn the contribution in which he has given me, like millions of others. Do you..."Remember the Time", or look for the "Man in the Mirror", live like a "Smooth Criminal", "Beat It" when times get rough, have your own "PYT", do things that are "Off the Wall", let me ever "Rock With You", kissed a "Billie Jean", called me "Dirty Diana", "Scream" "Leave Me Alone", hear me tell you about "The Way You Make Me Feel", been stuck "In the Closet", gave to "Heal the World", seen things in "Black or White", fell in love with that "Superfly Sister", done one too many "Bad" things, or lived by the motto "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" .....just tell em that it's "Human Nature" and live in the "Thriller" time he gave us all!!!




I don't want to turn on the news because I'm afraid I will hear the tabloid machine crank out their recap about MJ I never wanted to hear in the first place. The fame monster that has been there for years trying to tear him down. I despise what they have made of him. So I chose to always love him and his music...good, bad, or indifferent. His musical canvas was a major part of my upbringing and my life. He will be missed forever...but I know he is at peace finally. Please play his music instead of watching any twisted hype that may unfold...that is what he would have wanted. Play on MJ, Play on.....

Wednesday Without Words

My Mosaic

I made my first mosaic today...


This jump started something I was thinking of doing for a while now...

Since I ♥ taking photos all the days...why not do some theme days each week? So hear it goes...

Monday Mortals (people I enjoy looking at...maybe in correlation to the I Heart Faces contest)
Wednesday Without Words (a picture is worth a thousand words they say, right?)
&
Foodie Friday (Vittles I have to capture)

Of course the Fam Bam updates will always come, but why not add a little fun to it...?

Just call me Fam Bam Foto Femme...I'm Playin'!!

Check in Wednesday...

I Heart Faces - Kids Entry

So I stumbled upon this website/blog (I ♥ faces) where they allow you to share your fave photos of the people in your life. What a concept. So as a first time enterer :o) I was drawn to the theme (BOYS)! In light of Father's Day, it asks for only boy pics...and so it was fitting to enter the photo I took just the other day of the oldest and youngest man in my life! Even though it is not a close-up of Teage's face, his look is priceless. I was following them home from the baseball field. A picture really is worth a thousand words...



I can only assume that this will become another new obsession of mine...

Father of 14

I'm so excited to report that the wait on the party for Saige was well worth it because this has been the sunniest weekend we have had in over a month. The day started early as all get out...with a flea market sell. With all the rain we have had, the humidity is off the charts! I was sweating from every orifice by 6:30 am and it was all wrong! By 11:00, I was at the Japanese Bakery buying Saige's Strawberry Roll Cakes...the bakeries here are incredible. The precision they use is amazing! Look how beautiful...

Anyway, we headed to the beach first, I don't have any pictures of that because with the amount of stuff we had to carry, I opted to leave the 10 lb camera at home this time (plus, I didn't want it to get all sandy). Good thing, because the big kids didn't even step foot in the water. They were too cool I guess. There were 5 girls and two boys (one of them being Justice, the EX). They still act like a couple and when I asked her what was up with that...she said, I forgave him, but I'm not going back out with him because we're moving. Smart girl! He did give her a really nice gift...a silver chunk chain with a charm that says 'Saige & Justice' in Kanji.



I told her, "oh that's nice and it's in a different language so no one will ever know what it means and you can wear it long after you two are apart" LOL. She didn't care for that! It's really hard to adjust to the whole BOY thing. I'm trying though. Sometimes I feel like it would be much easier if it was like this...

...ahh the memories of when they were littles!


After the beach, we went back to the house and commenced with karaoke and World Tour. It was fun! Check them out in action....



Once the performances were over, the boys left and the girls got their goofy on! The icing on the cake was they decided to record their antics. And now, mama has a montage...YES!! These girls are a riot and Saige is always right in the middle of it all...

*THIS IS WHERE THE VIDEO WILL BE AFTER I FINISH BEATING THE CRAP OUT OF THIS COMPUTER* (stay tuned...)

Ahhh...Success, they finally wore themselves out!!



I know she had a great time and I'm so glad the kids enjoyed hanging out with our Family!

Today is Father's Day so I want to give a "Thumbs Up, High Five, Smack on the A$, Warm Fuzzy, Tight Squeeze Huggy, Slobbering Kiss" to my husband! Happy Padre Day to the man who makes all things possible for us...Love you George!!!

Happy Father's Day to all the other child rearing men in my life as well...

Love Ya!!

Germany...Check!

Well, I had a feeling that someone would here my prayers (and small tantrum) yesterday, because we have an assignment people!!!

Right now we are scheduled to go to Baumholder Germany! It is not Mannheim, because the branch manager is a real *BLEEP* and wants George assigned the unit that deploys the quickest (too bad Mannheim deployed like 2 weeks ago and if they had sped up the process, we could have just gotten the assignment legitimately). NOW, there is talks of a drug deal being made to get us to Mannheim instead, but the big obstacle was making sure we got Germany at all. Drug deal aside, I am cool with either. I hope it turns into Mannheim, but all the bases are so close, it really doesn't matter. Here is where they are: (by way of the school districts)


As you can see they are pretty close. Did you pick up on how close France is?? I'm just sayin'!

Now the fun begins...

First we have to get screened with EFMP for JD to get approved travel, due to his services. And in the meantime we are going to go to MPD (Personnel) to see about getting flights lined up and what our options are for taking leave. We want to do a stopover and try to squeeze in a visit to FL on the way. I hear that you can only take 10 days or so en route in order to not effect the free stateside plane tickets later. So, we are gonna see what we can swing on that. After that is household goods pickup, Poquito's health certificate, and clearing this base. The deros date for us is 1 Aug but we will try to fly out mid July or so. School starts on 31 Aug in Europe as well as here...it will be a quick adjustment, but at least they will be able to start like everyone else (which was the whole point). I wish we had more time, but like I have said before, I work well under pressure, so you better believe momma's gonna get things done. I will have even more news to follow in the next few days, so I welcome you to join us as our PCS adventure unfolds...

"New Joysey"

This post has much to do about nothing important. I need a little meaningless distraction these days and you know what...Reality TV always comes through for me. I have been watching the Real Housewives of New Jersey this season and it is the best therapy for escaping my reality of military let downs...and mommy meltdowns. The season finale is tonight over here (we are always a day behind at least) and from what I understand, the drama is about to be unleashed.


Tables being flipped, kids in the crossfire of these "housewives" screamfests, and one Caroline 'Soprano' talking about her family being thick!! (you said it sweetie)


If that's doesn't scream stellar TV, then I don't know what does...

I kinda feel bad for the ex-model turned Manzo sister target, Danielle. She should just walk away from that posse and find some new friends. I do like her balls out attitude though.

But overall, these chicks have it really tough...I mean there just isn't enough time in the day to talk smack about the local people in the neighborhood or screw up your kids' lives. What a HOT MESS!! Either way, it has me glued and wanting more of these snazzy broads. Time for some good takeout and a glass of wine...the new Calgon!!

Fam Bam Brief

I have been avoiding the blog ever since my Internet went out, because now I have a pile of things to catch everyone up on. Sooo...get comfy, grab a lemonade, and let the adventure begin LOL!

Well, as I said said, the Internet people BLOW and left us without the ability to reach out and touch someone. Now while in some aspects it was nice, being out of the loop and expanding my time for other important things, I felt like a prisoner not being able to connect with my peeps. Anyway, it wasn't that dramatic...just annoying!

During all of that, Army week on Okinawa was taking place. It's basically a week of competitions (dodgeball, chariot race, relay races, military drills, basketball, etc). It kicks off with a BBQ at the beach and so we all went and the kids finally got out their swimsuits and had some waterplay.

Teage was too cold at first to get wet....until we got to the actual beach and then he was ready to go diving in. Most of the people who know me know that I do not like play guns...any kind. Water guns are flirting with the line with me even and so this is the look he gave me when I told him to give me the gun...what a riot. (I let him keep playing with it since we were actually in the water)...


Capping off the week, George and I went to the 234th annual Army Ball and it was.....umm OK. It doesn't even come close to comparing to last year's, all my girls have left since so it was me and the dance floor when the electric slide came on. I mean there are some ladies here I like, but in all reality, not the same! Our battery on the camera died about 45 minutes in and so we had one picture of us that someone across the table took and he obviously doesn't know how to focus a camera :o). But, I heard there was someone near us that was snapping pics and I am in the process of harassing her to give em up :o) So some of those might show up in a later blog. Here is what we had..

Out in the lobby of the Ball they had giant posters on stands of various Army happenings and right there by the entrance to the bathroom (which gets tons of traffic HA HA), was my hubby in the chariot race that week. He helped win 3 events...go BOY!!

Also, we ended the school year and it was pretty emotional. My big kids are getting bigger and I'm not sure if I can handle this growing up thing. JD had his little graduation ceremony and it was awesome.


He had a grin from ear to ear the whole time. He was excited to show off his progress into middle school. I, however, was the blubbering mom in the front. He has come such a LONG way with school and we were so proud of him. They sang "World's Greatest" as a class (insert tears) and then JD was one of the chosen to announce and give a bio on a guest speaker. He did absolutely perfect. Everyone after was saying how he was the most clear with his speech and pronunciation. The funniest was that he was too short for us to really see him over the podium. It was so cute. He didn't care though and worked it!!

He received the Presidential Award for Academic Achievement...the only one in his class. He was astounded when he saw that it came with a letter from Barack Obama. He said "Mom, I got a letter from Barack Obama!!". You should have seen his face....

JD and his Teacher...Mrs Shobe!

Well, since it was a crying morning, why not make it a boo hoo night. That same night, LTC Elle had his farewell roast/dinner. We are gonna miss him greatly, but I know we will always keep in touch. He really changed the morale of the Battalion and made everyone feel like a Family. Our hat's off to him and all he has accomplished being here...I presented him with a photo book of his reign in Command and said a few words. And yes, I cried some more...

George went up and his shop presented him with a Taiko Drum. He told the story of the "nice haircut"...FUNNY!

Next thing on the agenda was Saige's birthday. The weather's been crappy here and not ideal when you want to do a get together with friends at the beach. So we decided to put the party off til later this week. Instead, we went to Round One (like a Dave and Buster's I think). One entrance fee and you can do everything. Outdoor stuff, arcades, roller skate, climbing thingys, karaoke...) It was a blast and I think she enjoyed it. Plus, her ex-boyfriend was there (he still wants to go out with her, but she had to 'let him go' because he didn't believe something she said...she has such a stronger personality than I ever did at that age and I LOVE it). She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to let go of a boy at the same time. Crucial I tell ya...what a fabulous young lady she is growing up to be. I am really proud of her. 9th grade just might kill me, but I know she is ready to handle it and can. God Love Her...


So here's fun times...


Oh, so all the rave in Japan are the sticky pictures booths. Saige goes at least once a week with her friends. They take 6 different poses of you and you can decorate, write on them, and flair them all up. Once you have done that, they print off a sheet of the pics as stickers to put on your locker, or phone, or binders, or in your room...I'm telling you they are the next best thing since sliced bread Saige says. So we decided to jump into one and do a Family sheet. (It's really strange that it is all in Japanese and Saige knows what every button means...)


We couldn't forget the cake and presents though...she loved the gifts from everyone. Thanks to Grandma, Grandpa, Popo, U Alex and A Rhea for the presents from afar. We hooked her up with money for her savings acct this year. She is too hard to shop for, and besides she has so much already...

The cake request was simple...her favorite: butter yellow with milk chocolate icing

Teage thought it was his birthday again and wanted to blow out the candles. Saige wasn't having it :o)
HAPPY 14th Saigie Baby!!!

Isla Fam Bam OUT....