Sports In Action with Pets

I am contributing to the I ♥ faces blog entry this week. The theme is Sports and Pets. I am using a photo of the hubby running for Army Week. I must say, he was smokin' em! I love the look of determination on his face and the look of the others who are desperately trying to reach him :o) Shout out to all the Soldiers who love Sports...like my husband!!



My second entry is of our Oki Mix, Poquito. His tongue makes me smile here. He's one of those "in your face" dogs...but hey,who wouldn't want this face in your face??!!

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...

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....

The Last of May

Here it is...June is already lurking at my door and I can't even keep up anymore. There has been a lot going on at home and out of home. Saige is winding down her middle school career (scare me), JD is closing the door on grade school (double scare me), Teage keeps a constant look of your typical UFC fighter with his rough-housing antics on the daily, George thinks he has stumbled upon his back-up career plan of all-time softball player (God help me...for real), and I have been gripping with my bloody fingernails so to not fall off of the edge of sanity! You know how they say...change is good, but stressful?? Genius!! Stressful is the understatement. I'm pretty good when it comes to stress, above average while under immediate pressure...but that is because I can totally feel when I'm about to break and that allows me to "check" myself with a much needed relaxation technique, or even a good cry. The changes going on and about to go down in the Isla Casa are down right gritty and testy. I think I am holding it together ok, however with the "unknown" move vastly approaching and my kids sensing it that just = Mommy punching bag! Imagine 21 questions x 3 on the regular + a husband who just want to squeeze in as much ball time as possible before we leave. I sometimes think my personality starts splitting off into two at a moment's notice! They better watch out...

Seriously, I am fine and the kids have no idea that mommy's cuckoo right now, and George always continues doing what he does, so all is well in his eyes. I stress myself out more than anything (as most women do). SO...I decided I needed some pampering and made an appt for a cut/color/and head spa treatment today, Japanese style. It was BLISS! Just what the doctor ordered...I really needed my hair cut and touched up anyway. I went to new lady this time since my beloved hair person moved last month. She is a gem. I wish I found her sooner and not let my hair get so out of control this time around. The salon is on the beach and the ambiance was unbelievable. See what I mean...




George and the boys came too and walked the seawall while I got beautified. He took some cute pics as well.



Here are some pictures from Saige's 8th grade celebration and then some...

She's so big...(sad face)...

The FRG also had a fundraiser this past week...the age old Pie in the Face. I showed up to oversee the goings on for the BN since Amanda was gone...nothing more! BUT, Lo and Behold, my beloved friend Steve Elle decided it would be cute to put a price on a pie for me. If being the only female to receive a pie that day wasn't enough, I spent the rest of that day smelling the remnants of whipped cream in my nostrils. WRONG!!! That's ok...cause paybacks are a comin'!

Man, I am a trooper!! :o)


Tuesday my baby boy turns 3 and WOW has time flown by! We are having a little birthday party for him at his school. He's gonna be so excited...Can't wait to blog about it!! Meanwhile, Saige keeps telling me how many days it will be until she hits the big 14!! (I almost just fainted when I wrote that)! "Next year I can get my driving permit Mom"....*sigh....

Love Ya!

Oh, What a Night...

Thursday started off a pretty good day except the fact that I was going to being saying bye to the hubby the next day...he went to Korea for the long weekend to play in a softball tournament (yeah, I am a good wifey)! It started with a peep into the live American Idol Finale at around 9am, then moved on to a end of the year lunch at JD's school, which led to the big event of the night...

So the FRG hosts annual events throughout they year, like the Egg Hunt, Holiday Party, 4th of July BBQ, BUT there are also a few contests as well....one being the Chili Cook-Off and another the Best Dessert. Up until now I had never made anything to enter these contests because I was usually bogged down with helping run the event or whatever. But, I decided about midday that I would make something quick and easy this time. My peanut butter balls are ones I make typically during the Holidays, aka Peanut Butter Buckeyes.

They are the bomb as most of you know. I mean, who doesn't like Reese's?? Well, ok maybe all the people that are allergic to peanut butter don't slap their mamas for them. Good thing no one in 58th seemed allergic because they were voted BEST OVERALL Dessert!! Can you believe that crap?? Had Saige been home that hour or so it took to make them, she could have made them easily...and that was the winner??? Hey, I guess you can't knock the classics! So, yeah that was a trip!! I had someone walk by and say "It's like a party in my mouth"...and we all like parties no matter where they are right?! SWEET! So I walked up and nabbed my prize which consisted of a Signal orange apron, gift certificates, and the most obnoxious trophy one could ever win...a ginormous fake cake!! But, I was more than happy to accept (mostly because it is passed on to the future winners..so that means I don't have to pack or find a place to put it). What a surprise though, really...

As if the night couldn't get any better, completely blindsided, the FRG leaders were recognized by the 10th Support Group with the Commander's Award for Public Service.

I was so pleased about how the evening was turning out....AND THEN...I got hit with the icing on the cake (no pun intended)!! The Bronze Wahatchee Medal was established for individuals who have voluntarily contributed in a significant way to the improvement of the Signal Corps community. It is by nomination and must get approval through the Signal Regiment in Fort Gordon, GA. The Battalion Commander, Steve Elle, has only seen 2 given out in his career. He nominated myself and Amanda (my FRG counterpart here) for the third and fourth. It was very moving and highly appreciated. Volunteering isn't peachy keen all the time and Lord knows it is never for the money or the rewards. It comes from the heart and once in a while it is nice to know that it is valued. That is what LTC Elle tried to convey and it rang loud and clear for me. Thank You to him for his thoughtfulness and warm heart.



I will cherish it forever. The Soldiers and Families have been my recipient of "giving back" for a long time...and will continue to be!

Man, I think I am catching up to George's award count LOL!!

Anyway, I had to share the "pat on the back" moment with everyone. I was feeling good about it...I'll be updating about our long weekend without hubby later in the next few days. Gotta make a plan to entertain the youngsters....Love Ya!!!