Single moms day out!

I now call myself a single mom since I am for four months. The base paid for those of us whose hubbies are deployed to go out to an Apple Orchard and Pumpkin Patch for the day. Great! Wonderful! Though I am exhausted!
Of course you could expect that a bunch of moms with their kids, trying to chase them around a farm while picking pumpkins, would be a bit crazy. I was lucky though, and had some friends tag along with her husband and he was extremely helpful! Thank you Joel and Cat!
So far, so good being a single parent though I could definitely not do it long term. Not sure how people do it. I know that Justin will be home soon and so I plug along. I would be on some sort of medication if I had to do it everyday, forever! So more power to those out there who have lost their spouses. I say that I couldn't do it. But I guess that you just have to when push comes to shove!

I cut off the stem because it was so prickly and Mitchell found it and tried to put it back on. He didn't seem to care that it was prickly!

Mitchell had a great time playing in the pumpkin patch. I told him that he'll have to ask daddy to grow some next year in the back yard!

Pumpkin Patch and Hayride!

This was done pre-deployment, but just wanted to share. I have always wanted to paint and so I thought that I would give it a try. Originally, Justin was going to fill the empty canvas but since he didn't really get around to it, I started playing and this is what I came up with. Hope you like it!

Our bobcat! He hangs out in our neighborhood since there are plenty of rabbits and other critters to eat. This was the first time that I had seen him and he is beautiful!

Can't remember if this is when Justin actually left or if it was the day before. We were ready and showed up to drop him off and, oops, scheduling error. The plane was never supposed to show up on Sat., but that wasn't communicated to the squadron. So he left 24 hours later which I think was even harder since I had to deal with all the emotions twice.

Saying our goodbyes to Daddy

Buddies

Hump Day!

It's hump day Wednesday and it is a tough one. I am realizing that I like it better when Justin calls me in the evening rather than in the morning. For one reason only; that I think of him all day long and miss him more when he calls in the morning. In the evening, I only have a couple hours and then it's off to bed.
So Justin called this morning and thus, there is definitely a hump to get over today. God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good! That is my motto for today and most days right now. I do have it pretty good. I live in a beautiful place. My son is healthy and happy, for the most part. I have been continually blessed by the people around me, especially now that Justin is deployed. And, I get to talk with my husband on the phone and send him emails whenever I want. This war is like no other. I have to say we have it pretty good, considering, well that we are in a war and all. I will still send him packages and letters though I am very glad that I have other modes of communication.
So here it is, I have to get this off my chest. And if any of you friends here in Tucson are reading, listen up!!
I am tired of you all hating it here! I like it here and will continue to like it as long as I live here. God has made this place and I plan on enjoying it because it and the people who live here are His Creation! Yes, it is hot, but so is everywhere else in the middle of the summer!
There, I said it and that is it. No more!!

Birthdays!

One year ago yesterday, my little one was born. I spent most of my day thinking about this little miracle who was so intent on staying comfortable inside my belly. We had to evict him since the movers were coming and I didn't really feel like driving across the country knowing that he could change his mind at any moment. So now I have an incredibly curious, happy and loving little boy who is definitely all boy!
It's pretty hard to remember life pre-Mitchell. So now that he is 1, I definitely need to push myself to get out more. I went out with the girls last night, a blast! So next on the list, date night with my hubby! I do need to really push myself to adore him the way he deserves and get my priorities back in line. God, Justin, then Mitchell! It is a daily process of trying to remind myself of this and yet I don't do it. I really haven't spent the time I need, and that I crave, in the Word. Why is this so difficult? So I am signing off and going to have some needed God and me time!!!

Family

We just returned from a trip to the East Coast for Grandma Nina'a funeral. This was a once in a lifetime chance to get to meet the rest of the Bremer family and so we thought it necessary to go. Honestly, I was not thrilled with the idea of travelling that far with a 10 month old. Justin was pretty set on going and I really wanted to go, but just didn't want to deal with changing three time zones and flying for an entire day! Mitchell did great and I even did great! The Bremer's are all absolutely incredible people and I really hope to keep up with them now. We were also able to see an Uncle and family from the other side of the family as well as some family friends.
I really have to say that I am upset that we didn't keep up with the Bremer's until now. I don't understand the family dynamic and probably never will, but it is sad that so much time has lapsed and relationships have been amiss. So now it is my goal to bring us back together. I'm sorry that Nina had to pass away in order for this to happen. I am really glad, now, that Justin was able to visit back in March and to have a peace about his grandmother. I had only met her once and she has left a mark on me. She had this energy that you really don't see anymore. Even in her 80's, she was running circles around both Justin and I. I missed the ceremony at the church due to Mitchell needing a nap and I am sad that I missed it. Mainly to hear all of the wonderful stories of Nina and the family. Justin shared that he always remembered having lobster when visiting Nina. And until he was about 8, he thought that she was getting the lobster from the pool behind the house! How great to just go outside and pull your dinner out of the pool!
I hope Nina knew how much she was loved and how much she will be missed! One grand daughter made a video documentary in memory of Nina and I hope to get a copy. It really captured her beauty! Enough said!

Sitting in the sun at my parents house, and wondering how much warmer it is in Tucson! Mitch should be getting up soon but just feeling like writing today. Justin is in Baltimore and was able to visit with his uncle yesterday and also visit his grandmother, Nina. I am so glad that he was able to do this. I met Nina about 7 years ago and I haven't seen her since. She has dementia and has been in a nursing home for a couple years now. Justin was able to visit with her a bit, and Uncle Jerry said that she recognized Justin. Justin said that her favorite thing to do is play with a stuffed animal. I feel extremely blessed that I was able to meet her when I did, though I really should visit again soon!

So I am completely flustered with my son's sleeping patterns! Needless to say, that is why I am up now and have been since 5a.m. I just wish that I knew what to do since I know that it is probably me and not really him. I think that I have tried everything and sometimes he sleeps great and others, not sure what I did different.
So I am going to actually really try and clean my house today. I sort of got caught up in the idea of trying to decorate again. And really, how do I spend so much time doing nothing? I get all these ideas and then by going shopping and researching, I waste so much time! I tend to overthink sometimes and therefore I don't make a decision as quickly as I should, when I really end up going with my first inclination. So that is what my goal is for the next week, to go with my first idea, thought and roll with it. We'll see how it goes and I'll let you know!
Off to go and get some more shut eye! I think the wudge is finally back to sleep!

New Year!

Hopeful, optimistic and yet, wondering what is in store for this next year. Honestly, I try to think about Mitchell and his ever changing personality, but my thoughts continue to wander to Justin being deployed at some point in the next six months. How do people do it? Thoughts have come up that I wish no one would ever have to even think about the possibility, but I guess that I need to be real and ready for what could happen.
Sorry that I haven't blogged for awhile. This holiday season was quite busy to say the least! I had always wanted to host the family for the special occasions but really? Did it have to be so crazy? I often find myself with the perfect day of celebrations in mind and it does not happen! I spent hours shopping and prepping meals and gifts to try and be the great host and it never really turns out the way that I would like! I guess that is what happens when expectations are set and then stuff comes up. Or the fact that I have a baby and I really should never place any expectations upon him and how I would really like, in my mind, to be the perfect mom!
Moving on.......I really haven't taken to many pics recently but now that the crazy season is done with for now, I would really like to start up again. Along with blogging and maybe changing the idea of my blog a bit! Not so focused on being a mother, but rather my daily walk with God and how it is really absent. Or even being a wife and trying to support my husband more and more. So many other things than being a mom, but that is what I truly love, so still, this will be my life and how I just want to be real with God and his people!
Have a great day everybody and I love you all!