How are you?

So, I called another wife on the boat today asked how she was. She said "fine" and asked back... I said I was "fine" too. Then, she asks if we are supposed to say that we are fabulous when people ask us or can they handle the truth? In reality, at the moment you ask how one of the wives are they may be "fine" but the bigger picture is not. Right now, for all of us with deployed husbands things really aren't at their finest for us. Especially with the recent holiday making things that more real to us that we are alone for the next 6 months. Alone with our children, this one is a tough one to swallow. I have concluded that unless you have or are experiencing the exact same thing that you really don't know how to react to the way we feel. On the day Matt left a non-military friend asked if military life was difficult. Seriously. Of course this is difficult! I don't care how you put a take on it, 6 months without your spouse is not fun no matter how many projects you think you can accomplish, how nice you think it might be to have a break from your husband, how much money you think you'll save, etc. All of things do not and will not make up for the fact that the one you love, the other half of you, is going to be living life for half of a year apart from you and your children. The time we spend apart will be lost forever, and this saddens me. Now, don't get all worried: I haven't fallen off the deep end. I am merely making note of some of my feelings. I am sure I'll have more to say later. And when you ask me how I am and I say "fine" just know that I am okay but that things are not that fine.

Marcus is on the move...

One great thing about babies is they are always starting something new. Not only is it exciting, but it keeps us on our toes! Marcus has finally figured out how to coordinate his movements enough to scoot towards what he wants. It was great because he did this a bit before Matt left so daddy could see his little man in action. I keep trying to get a video of him on the move, but he likes to be sneaky. Like when I lay him down on his toy mat in the rug and walk off to do a few things... when I look back over I see no baby on the rug! Where is the little man? Half way across the hardwood floor in heavy pursuit of something he more then likely can't have! His new favorite: finding pieces of paper to eat! He had some in Katie's room before his bath (she was disappointed he ate her handiwork!) and he loved it. Now, he is grabbing for books, crafts, napkins... anything for a quick taste. In the few days since he has started scooting, he is really learning how to get around. I know it won't be long before he'll be crawling and I won't know what to do!

Daddy Deploys

Well, there hasn't been much time to blog lately as lots of things have been going on here! On Tuesday, we said goodbye to daddy. Of course, this was so difficult. The weather went along with how I was feeling- gloomy and rainy. Driving Matt to the base was not fun, knowing that we had to say goodbye in a few minutes made it a rough drive. However, we got through the day and it was a bit of a relief that we were able to start the countdown. I was surprised how well Tuesday went, but it is apparently starting to hit home now. On Wednesday, Katie asked if her daddy was coming home that night. I gently explained again that this was the long trip, and she burst into tears. After much loving, we got through the day. I thought with the holidays approaching that I'd be distracted enough... but the day only proves not to be the same without Matt here. Today, I am sad to think that we have so many months of this to get through. It's almost as if I am staring at this giant mountain and I am not prepared to climb it. Guess I am in the thick of it now, and can only pray to get through it all. More on this topic later... Here's a few pictures of Katie and Daddy toasting OJ at his goodbye breakfast. Bittersweet!

Marcus.... laughing

The sound of a baby laughing is one of my favorites. I love their little giggles, and I love how they get tickled over the slightest thing. Marc was on the bed and I kept saying "go,go,go" and he thought it was so funny. By the time we started the movie, he had been chuckling for a few minutes so the funny was wearing off! But I think the movie is still sweet enough to be posted... smile, and enjoy the baby's laugh!

Girl's Night "Out"

Last night was a girl's night out, but we all met at my place and stayed in. Matt was supposed to have left on deployment Thursday, and this was to be my "pity" party... nothing like drowning your sorrows with good girlfriends, great food, and a fruity drink. Well, Matt's boat ended up not leaving as scheduled (No surprise to all of us Navy wives by any means). I thought about canceling the evening, but he had duty so I decided to go ahead. Boy am I glad I did... girl's nights should occur more often. It is so refreshing to get together with your girlfriends (without having to watch the kids) and talk. It is like the best therapy on earth! I love talking with other wives sharing stories, tossing around ideas, encouraging each other. It is such a blessing to talk to women who have been or are going through the same things you are going through. I feel this is especially important being a mother, because it is easy to doubt if you are doing things right. It helps to hear from someone else, that you are a good mom and that things are okay. Day to day, we have our appearance we keep up... but it's those once a month nights when we all get together and the nitty gritty of our lives comes clean. And in the end, we realize... the appearances don't matter-we are all human making mistakes, yet accomplishing great things.

Football, Baseball, and Soccer

Well, since daddy has been home Katie has been thrilled to have her share of outside play time with Matt. She is so funny... she wants to go play sports: football, baseball, and soccer. They go outside and do a little of each until she wants to move on to the next thing. Katie always has something different she wants to be when she grows up. The other day she informs us she wants to be a football player when she grows up. She is so funny. She also asked us what we want to be when we grow up...kids are so cute. Here's a picture of Matt and Katie trying to stay warm in the cold weather.

21 Questions

Here is a fun tag, it's a great way to get to know more about people!

Jessi tagged me in her blog... so here goes....

1.What is your husband's name? Robert Matson Geren
2. Who eats more? Him, unless I am pregnant!
3. Who said, "I love you" first? He did.
4. Who is taller? Matt
5. Who is smarter? He is very smart.
6. Who is more sensitive? Me
7. Who does the laundry? Me
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? He does
9. Who pays the bills? He makes the money, I pay the bills.
10. Who cooks more? Me, I love to cook for him.
11. Who is more stubborn? Both of us.
12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? Because we are both stubborn, this one is difficult!
13. Who has more siblings? I do.
14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? We both do, I have to wear my share because he is gone so much.
15. What do you like to do together? Travel, be outside, play with our kids, we enjoy watching movies/special TV shows together.
16. Who eats more sweets? Me
17. How did you meet?In high school, we knew each other but didn't really "meet" until a trip to China with AP English class. Then, we fell in love and the rest is history!
18. Who asked whom out first? I know we were destined to be together because we both were drawn to each other. It all started with a New Year's Eve kiss at midnight 2000. He gave me a quick peck and that started all of this!
19. Who kissed who first?He kissed me on New Year's and I was not expecting it. It was a quick kiss but enough to start something that has lasted.
20. Who proposed? He did.
21. His best features and qualities? He is so helpful, he adores our kids and is an excellent daddy, he's hardworking, and he is very smart.
I'd love to see Heather, Crystal, and Jill's responses!

Bowling with Daddy and the end of the camera

Katie and Daddy went bowling tonight. Marcus and I sat this bowling adventure out. Although, Marcus is recovering from his infection and is on the mend. (Thank you all for your prayers for the little guy!) This was Matt's first time to go bowling with Kate and they had a great time. The bowling alley on the base has a cool ramp that the kids can put their bowling ball on to send it down the lane. Matt took a few pictures of Katie and then she wanted to take a picture of him. Remember how I mentioned how much she loves taking pictures? Well, I had just cut out a coupon for a kid's camera from Target and was planning to get it for Katie. So, tonight Katie takes our camera to take a picture of Matt. The sad part, is that she tripped and fell with the camera. She made it up okay with out even a scratch... the camera on the other hand.... it is broken beyond repair. So, now we must purchase a new camera! Until then, these are the most recent pictures... including the one of Matt which is the last picture from the camera.

Sweeties at bedtime

Well, daddy had duty on Friday night and the kids were being so adorable after their bath... I just had to make a little movie. It is so hard to capture how sweet they were! Before bath, they were both rolling around on the floor. I came to get Marcus and Katie says " No, mom I want to keep playing the rolling game with Marcus!" They were both giggling. After bath we had a nice story time together on Katie's bed. Marcus kept smiling and laughing at Katie and she just loved it. These two bring such joy to my life. I am so thankful for them. I just love watching the way they interact with each other. Marcus just adores Katie, and she thinks he is pretty wonderful!

Just a bunch of things...

No pictures tonight, just random thoughts. I really should be asleep but instead I am blogging. I really need to get my priorities straight. I am in bed though, and Matt is fast asleep beside me. You know, he only needs to begin to let his head touch the pillow and he is out cold. Plus, he never hears anything during the night. What did I mention in the last blog about having the best sleep last night because a man was in the house? Let me note now, if someone broke in Matt wouldn't be the one to hear it. In fact, I think I'd have to shake him awake. He was so sound asleep he didn't even hear his alarm clock this morning!
Marcus seems to be on the mend. His fever is gone, and he has started accepting a few bottles again. This makes me feel much better. It is so hard to see your baby in pain, especially when you can't do anything for him. His poor little tummy was cramping so bad he'd curl all up the straighten all out and cry. Let me say, that my arms, neck, and shoulders are aching all over from carrying him around so much these past few days. He is almost 17 pounds now, and that is not a light little boy to be hauling around all day. It is a blessing when both of my children are well.
Matt took Katie to Best Buy after work tonight to replace his broken cell phone. Turns out, they actually ended up at the mall too. I was beginning to wonder where they were because it was a little past 6:30 when they got home. We hadn't eaten dinner yet or anything, and usually Katie is in the bath by 6:45. Well, she was a bubble of energy when she came in. Complete with some purchases Daddy had made for her. (at least I am not the only one who can't resist buying fun little things for her) They had a new Dora movie (she forgot she wanted the Tinkerbell movie-she has been waiting for daddy to take her to get it), a toy submarine, and some cute magnets for the fridge. It was nice to see they had such a great time together.
Well, there's always more to talk about but suddenly I am exhausted and it would be wise of me to go to sleep. So until next time- have a great day!!

Daddy's home!!

Matt's arrival yesterday couldn't have come at a better time. It always seems like things are all starting to come undone and then "daddy's home!" Marcus has been sick with some sort of virus and he needed to go to the doctor yesterday. Thankfully, Matt made it home from the boat in time to watch Katie. She was so excited he was home. She made a picture for him, picked out the "perfect" outfit, and let me fix her hair before running downstairs to wait anxiously for him to get here. The only thing that never works out for me if that I always have such big plans to have the house all neat and orderly when Matt gets home. But it never fails that something big happens before he comes home preventing this plan to actually work. Marcus woke up Sunday morning and seemed a little warm, but after church I knew something was wrong with him. Anyway, I spent the whole day holding and caring for him and most of the night (I got 3 hours of straight sleep- after that not much!) Needless to say, my plan for cleaning anything went out the window when I had to go into "mommy overtime" mode trying to care for the kids and do the basics. Oh well. Matt was happy to be home and we had a great dinner last night. (I love cooking when he's home because there is someone here to eat my cooking!) I plan to make homemade BBQ boneless pork ribs for dinner tonight - yummy. We'll see how my plan works out though- lately it seems other things are taking priority. On another note, I slept so good last night. The best sleep in over a month. Why is it that knowing you have a man in the house makes you feel so secure? I went to bed at 10pm - the earliest I have gone to bed in a month! I feel so rested I must get some things accomplished today. And the best part of the whole day is that daddy will be home again tonight after work. I love it when the boat's in port!
(Katie took the picture of the 3 of us... she LOVES taking pictures. I am thinking we should get one of those kid's digital cameras that can be hers-she has dropped mine a few times and almost broke it, but she can take some great pictures for a 3 year old)

I love your blog...

I got a "I love your blog" award from Jill and I have to answer the following questions with a one word response, then I have to tag three friends who have a blog that I love.

1. Where is your phone? bed
2. Where is your significant other?: submarine
3 .Your hair color?: brown
4. Your Mother?: funny
5. Your Father?: hardworking
6. Your favorite thing?: babies
7. Your dream last night?: uneventful
8. Your dream/goal?: (is) possible
9. The room your in?: bedroom
10. Your hobby?: baking
11. Your fear?: dying
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years?: GA
13. Where were you last night?: home
14. What you're not?: perfect
15. One of your wish-list items?: Wii
16. Where you grew up?: Ohio
17. The last thing you ate?: ice cream
18. What are you wearing?: clothes
19. Your TV?: off
20. Your pet?: Lexi
21. Your computer?: Gateway
22. Your mood?: tired
23. Missing someone?: husband
24. Your car?: Jeep
25. Something you're not wearing?: socks
26. Favorite store?: Gap
27. Your Summer?: wonderful
28. Love someone?: Matt
29. Your favorite color?: brown
30. When was the last time you laughed?: today
31. Last time you cried?: yesterday

No it's my turn. I award Crystal, Heather, and Sabrina! Have fun!