Charity's Crazy Beautiful Life

The Snail

You asked, you got it...

 

This friends, is a picture that Craig emailed me. Apparently when it rains on the island of Okinawa, Japan -- where I will soon be living along with my husband -- these come out in full force. Now, since I'm not there and have yet to witness one of these lovely creatures first hand, I have no idea how big it is. But in my humble opinion, it looks big enough! 

This friends, is also the picture that had Craig disappointed yesterday. Disappointed that I did not add it to yesterday's post about our house. I don't know -- for the most part -- I try to make things flow and make them relevant here on this blog. And I don't know about you, but randomly adding this picture of the snail didn't make sense to me. But maybe it would have for you, so I'm sorry for making assumptions and for leaving out our little slimy snail friend. I meant no harm, nor did I mean to discriminate in any way, shape, or form. All snails are welcome here!

This friends, is also the picture of the snail that my dear husband has been infatuated with over the last couple of days.  Seriously! He emailed it to me on the same day that I posted this about him.  I asked him if he'd seen all the pictures I'd put of him on my blog "for the whole world to see". He said, "yeah, yeah, that was nice, but did you SEE that picture of the snail I sent you!?! That snail was..." at which point I took a deep breath, tried not to roll my eyes, and came to the same conclusion I come to at least seven times a week -- that he and our six-year-old son are two peas in a pod. Harrumph. Men! (Wink, wink -- I love them both dearly!)  

Disney World or Bust

We’re on the road -  headed to Orlando for our Christmas Disney World vacation. And I mean that literally.  We are sitting in our van and are on the road. Oh do I love technology!

 

The kids aren’t bored…they’re watching a movie.  I’m not bored…I’m blogging.  We used to travel (car travel) a bunch when I was a kid. Back then I would have never thought that when my kids were the age I was then they would get to watch movies while traveling...who woulda thunk!  And I used to be against the whole DVD player in the car idea, but not anymore. Now, we don’t turn it on every time we get in the car. For that matter, we usually don’t turn it on.  But for long trips, it’s nice. Real nice! 

You know what’s not nice? A husband who drinks a lot of coffee.  Especially when said husband has a weak bladder. 

I’m not joking when I say…my husband is worse than a child being potty-trained! He has to stop to pee SO much it’s unbelievable! (Isn’t this a medical condition?)  In our family, it has kind of become a joke. Especially because it “hits him fast” so most of the time he has to pull over on the side of the road.  Like today...

 

No folks, that's not BIG FOOT you see hiding in those trees...

 

Really. Seriously. I am now calling this syndrome the "I Can't Hold It While Traveling Syndrome."  Prime example – it was the summer of ’05 and we were driving from Fairchild AFB, WA to Montgomery, AL because of our military move to Maxwell AFB.  I was driving the van filled with our children. Craig was driving his truck filled with all of the things they refused to pack for us (candles, cleaning supplies – hey, that stuff is expensive to replace), the stuff I refused to let them pack for us (sentimental keepsakey kind of things), and our dog.   I think we were somewhere in South Dakota when Craig got on the radio (yes, I said that correctly – back then he refused to have a cell phone so we used walkie talkies to talk to each other. So Craig got on his radio and told me,

“Charity, I’m gonna have to use the bathroom soon. How are you guys doing?”

I looked in the rearview mirror at my four children and said, “Hey kids, your dad has to stop and use the restroom. How about you? Anyone else need to go to the bathroom?”

They all looked at me, even a recently potty-trained Colby, and said “Nooooo.”  Why that response? Because we had stopped so many times already that day for potty breaks.

"So, I got on my radio to Craig and said, “The kids are ok. But I  guess I could use some gas, so why don’t we stop at a gas station to kill two birds with one stone."

“Ok” he answered back, “I’ll stop at the next one.”

We got lucky – not five minutes down the road we saw signs for a gas station at the next exit.  So Craig goes to take that exit and abruptly pulls over to the shoulder of the road and stops on the off ramp. What was wrong? I thought maybe he was getting a flat or there was something wrong with our dog or – and then I see Craig hopping out of his trucking and running to the passenger side where he proceeded to pee on his tire – yes – just like our dog. (There’s a reason why they’re called man’s best friend.) He hurried and hopped back into his truck and drove to the gas station that was only about 100 yards away. 

When we got out I said, “Whoa, what happened back there? Just a little further and you would have had a bathroom, dear.” 

He replied, “Yeah, I know, but it hit me fast --- I really had to go!”

It’s funny, too, because he’s not usually this way. Only when we’re traveling. I’m not sure why. Surely it’s something psychological. I kind of feel bad for the guy. Luckily, he can just go pick a bush, or a tree, and then we can mosey on along our way.  And yes, I stock up on hand sanitizer when we’re traveling.  

Only a few more hours and we’ll be in Orlando. Hopefully not too many more bathroom stops before then. (Can I call them bathroom stops when the peeing happens on bushes and tires?) I can feel the excitement in the car…Disney World, here we come!

He's Back -- Welcome Home Daddy!!

After doing a few things around the house to make sure it felt warm and welcoming...

 

we headed off this afternoon to the airport.

   

We waited with excited anticipation...

   

these kiddos couldn't wait to see him.

   

We counted down the minutes until we saw that man in uniform.  And when we did, all three of them in unison yelled, "Daddy!!", and went running.

 

They were met with a great big bear hug that was filled with giggles and tears and joy all around. All the bystanders were smiling and had tears in their eyes...including the mamma who had to watch and take it all in -- take a few pictures -- and then head on in for a hug of her own.

 

And they couldn't stop hugging and tugging on him all evening...

     

I love this man -- and I love seeing him love our children. I love seeing our children love him.

 

It has been a long four months, yet they have gone by pretty quick -- if that makes any sense at all.  Either way you want to explain it, we sure are glad to have our "Daddy" back!!

A Countdown Chain...It's A Good Thing!

So, a while back, when I was displaying my daughter's Sweet Bottom, my sister posted a comment asking what that chain is in the background.  And now...the answer.

This is the doorway between our living room and our dining room.  And that chain that is hanging there is our "Countdown Chain".  The kids and I made it the day that Craig left.  And this chain is simply the kind of chain you used to make at Christmas time for decoration.  But this time we made it to count down the days until Craig comes home. 

At first, I decided to do this with the kids that evening as a distraction, a way to keep from being too upset that we had just watched Daddy leave for his deployment.  This Countdown Chain is something I did with the kids when Craig deployed when they were younger...because back then, they didn't have such a firm grasp on the concept of months and days. It was more visual and helped them figure it out better. And back then, it worked like a charm. Although, this time around, I had my doubts. I wasn't sure if this constant reminder of how many days Daddy would be gone would be a good thing or not. Would it help them to see time going by? Or would it be a constant reminder that he is gone, and we have x amount of days until he comes home? I wasn't sure. But I figured, it worked before, I'd give it shot.  Worst case scenario, I'd have to take it down.  Luckily, that didn't have to happen...

So...every night, part of our bedtime routine is to take one more link off of the chain.  When we first put it up (I should have gotten a picture of it then, darn it!) It hung all the way to the floor on both sides of the doorway. And on the left side, it even puddled a bit.  So, over the course of the summer it's been good for the kids to see their chain shrinking. 

They get excited when they've noticed that it's "halfway up the wall" or that it's "halfway gone". And it was fun when we had our summer guests; even Grandma, Kelly, and Amy  got in on the action and were excited every night to see the a link come off the chain.

Just the other night they got to reminiscing about how it used to look, how long it was when it started, how few we have left to take off. And to me, that's a positive.  Much better than dwelling on the fact that we still have a month to go; that Daddy will still be gone for about 30 more days.

So that's it folks.  Our Countdown Chain.  It's three-fourths of the way done.  As hard as it has been to go four months without Craig here, we've tried to make the best of it. And this Countdown Chain has definitely helped!

How did we make it?

I chose to use brightly colored, patterned cardstock from Stampin' Up that had different patterns printed on both sides.  This is the kind of paper I use for scrapbooking.  You don't have to do that. You could use construction paper, or whatever kind of paper you have on hand. I decided to use paper that would be bright, cheery, fun, and would match my decor...well...because that's me.  And I figured that if I was going to look at this chain for four months, that I might as well like looking at this chain for four months! But by all means, if you plan to do this, use what you have on hand.  In the end, you're just going to be throwing it away night by night anyways. 

So, after choosing the paper we liked, we came up with a pattern.  We figured out how man days  Craig would be gone (this is approximate, since we still don't know exactly when Craig will be home -- I have some extra links to add to our chain if that need arises), and how many links we would need.  When the kids realized that it was going to be 120, they got a bit overwhelmed about how many links we were going to have to make.  So, I had them take turns helping me.  First, I cut strips 1/2 inch thick and 6 inches long.  Then, I let the kids help me build the chain.  We just looped them through each other and used a stapler to fasten it.  Simple.  It took a while sheerly because of the length of our chain.  But all in all, it was a fun project.  A good way to distract the kids (and me too, probably) the first night Craig was gone. And a good way to positively keep track of how long he's been gone and when he'll be home.

A Countdown Chain...it's a Good Thing!

Where's Waldo!! How about....Where's Craig!?!?

Did you (or your kids, or nieces, or grandkids, or neighborhood kids...) ever look at the Where's Waldo books?  You know, the one where there is the little nerdy guy with glasses and the red and white striped shirt that you have to find hidden in the picture of an overly populated place like the zoo, or the museum? 

Yes, this is Waldo...bring back any memories now?  Well, we had a "Where's Waldo" moment in our house the other night. THE END.

No, no, I was just teasing, not the end. Yes, I'm gonna tell you about it...let me start from the beginning...

Ok, so I know that many of you are already aware that I've had a few (ok, more like 384,957) OCD tendencies lately and have been cleaning and organizing my house as if my life depended on it.  And really, I don't know about by life...but I think my sanity is sure thanking me! 

Anyhow, so...the other day I asked Craig to put some of those bed risers -- you know, the kind that make your bed taller so you can store more junk stuff under it -- under Colby's bed.  His room is about the size of a closet and I desperately needed more storage space. 

Gotta love base housing, it forces you to get creative. 

So, after Craig installed the bed risers, I went into Colby's room (which I had just reorganized, rearranged, and ransacked) and was all gung-ho to put all of his neatly contained junk things under his bed.  Then I realized that one of the bed risers was not put under the bed all the way.  And being the paranoid mom that I am, I was afraid that my bouncy, rambunctious five-year-old was going to end up making the bed collapse on himself, or the dog, or something!  So, I hollered to Craig, "CRAIIIIGGGG...one of Colby's bed risers isn't under Colby's bed correctly.  Can you please come fix it so I can get all of his junk neatly organized toys put away?"   To that he responded, (in such a highly motivated and "willing to help" voice, I must add), "yyyyessss, coming." 

A few minutes later, I walked back into Colby's room and about peed on myself!  Literally people!  Why?  Well, here, see for yourself...

Can you find Waldo...errh, I mean, Craig?  No?!?  Come on, look a little harder!            

Yes, by this point, I was laughing so hard that I was on the floor trying so hard not to loose control of my bladder.  Then I looked at Daz, and laughing said, "ha ha ha, te he he, ha ha...Daz...ha ha tee he...go get...he he ha ha ha ha ho ho...my...oh...my stomach...ha ha ho ho ho ho he he...camera...my camera...hurry!"

And I was not just laughing because Craig had crawled all the way under the bed to fix the corner bed riser, but I was laughing because he was under the bed and stuck!  Yep, you got it...stuck like a pig! (Not really a pig, look at those abs!)  But I also thought it was quite hilarious because he was in the prime position for a little photography exploitation.  And boy, did I jump at the chance to get some pictures of my scantily dressed husband... wearing only pajama shorts and flip flops (pajama shorts and flip flops, what's with that!?!)... who was STUCK under my son's bed!?  Te he he, ha ha ha, is still makes me laugh. I'm such a bad person, yes, I know!

No, I'm not really that bad of a person.  I was gonna help him.  No, really, I was...after spending about 10 minutes laughing my hiney off and another five taking oodles of pictures...

And laughing some more because he thought it was so funny! 

So, sorry you had to see pictures of my half-naked husband.  But, I figured, ha ha ha, I couldn't go another day, te he he, without sharing the story, ho ho he he ha...or I was gonna burst!

Caution: Hard work May Cause Hiney Twinges

Watching him do hard work makes my hiney twinge with delight.  There's just something about watching him work hard that does it to me. So much so, that I run and grab my camera, stand far enough away that he doesn't notice, and take myself a few dozen photos. My man at work, a very beautiful sight!  And so not what this post is supposed to be about.

We installed a pond at the school today, the kid's school -- as a part of the Alabama Outdoor Classroom Program. Craig was able to come help out in-between his deployment trainings on his lunch "hour".  Oooh, I love my husband in his uniform! (Focus, Charity, focus!)

We did this installation, basically, as a "Pond in a Day".  We started first thing this morning with a grassy courtyard and ended the day with a waterfall and a pond.  The entire school worked to build it with the parent volunteers and the contractor.  Each student had a part in building it.   They got to dig and move rocks and they had a blast!  And guess what it did pretty much all day today?  It rained!  But we didn't let that dampen our spirits or our enthusiasm for the pond. We kept going and got it done.  It was a muddy, mucky, mess...    

...but I think the kids loved that it was a muddy, mucky, mess.  And take a look at this.  I just thought this was so very cute.  A line of Fourth Grade Feet.  This is a concrete patio that they're standing on.  Look how dirty it is!  Their feet were bare because they had gotten their shoes so dirty.

Here is Allyssa and her class digging.  I don't know if you can tell, but they are "singing in the rain"...I mean, digging in the rain.  It was raining pretty hard during her dig time.  Look how wet her hair is.  And to the right, that is Brandon.  (We're friends with his parents.  His Mom, Jen, was the one who came and did the pedicures at Allyssa's Birthday Party last year.)  I think Brandon's a cutie! I think that Allyssa might think so too.  But when I ask her, she tells me, "Moooommm, he's nice!  He's a good friennnnnd!"

Back to another one that I think is cute!  That man of mine again.  And I especially think that he's pretty cute when he's at the kid's school, in uniform, digging in the dirt, in the rain.  Yummm....like I said, makes me have hiney twinges.  Sorry, I keep reverting.  (Focus, Charity, focus.)

This is Colby's class.  It was raining so hard, and was so muddy, so we tied plastic bags around their feet to protect their shoes.  They were helping to pack down this mound of dirt. Yes, I know, I'm cutting off all the kids' heads.  I can't publish photos of the kids from school on this site without parental permission -- privacy act -- blah blah blah.  But I still think the bags on their feet are adorable! 

Speaking of adorable -- my "Air Force Hottie" plus power tools.  Seeing him with power tools really gives me hiney twinges.  Really, it makes me get giddy, and happy, and have to grab my... camera.  And look what he's doing?  A Jack Hammer. He now wants to buy one for home.  Not sure exactly what we'd do with it, but it was pretty cool! 

Reverting again - sorry.  So, to Craig's right is Tracey, Brandon's Dad...and Craig works with him.  They came out and helped us because we needed some "man power".   Thanks for your help, Tracey!  Thanks for the good pictures, Craig!

And I totally messed up and forgot to take a picture of the finished pond.  (Go figure, where was my head?)  I'll do that soon.  But until then, I'll leave you with my favorite of the day...

A picture of his hiney!  Because his hiney makes my hiney...you got it!  TWINGE!!

Reality Check - He's Leaving Soon!

So, many of you already know, Craig will be leaving here in a little over a month.  He's deploying for the summer.  We've known he's leaving for a couple of months, and I've briefly mentioned it a few times on here, but we've been so busy that it was just that -- a mention, a subconscious anticipation.  But now, it's starting to sink in, he's leaving soon!  Today he started a week and half long training that will prepare him to be sent over there.  You know, there.  The place I can't specify on here.  All in all, I'm excited about this summer.  I graduate days after he leaves, my Mom will be coming to visit, along with a few more other fun summer guests (which I'll wait to mention until their tickets are purchased, ahem).  And we won't be crazy busy, which is nice.  A good change of pace.  But, the reality to all that is still, my husband will be deployed.  Not that I'm complaining, not even close.  He actually asked for this deployment, and for many reasons, it will be a good thing for our family.  But I know one thing is for sure, my kids will sure miss him!

As I say on my myspace -- one of MY HEROES is my hubby, Craig.  Standing proud in his uniform either here or really far away - he still lets us know his heart is where he gets to cook dinners, clean bathrooms, play board games, go to ball games, kiss owies, chase monsters and sing ridiculous songs that make us all laugh.

*Photo's are from two falls ago, but they are too good to leave sitting on a disk, and I thought you'd enjoy.*

#4 Retires

You know this guy?  This is my husband.

He is a big fan of this guy. (Obviously)

Which makes this guy

also a huge fan of this guy

because... more than anything, he is one of the biggest fans of this guy.

The story:

Craig calls me from work on Monday in what sounded like a pretty distraught voice. Distraught for him, anyhow.  So, red flag goes up for me.  First, he hardly ever calls me from work.  Second, he usually doesn't sound upset.  So, here's a recap of the conversation...

Him: "Guess what?"

Me:  (Thinking...we got orders.  Something bad is on the news.  He's leaving early for his deployment...) Hesitantly, and very drawn out "Wwwhhhat?"

Him:  In an ultra bummed out voice "Favre is retiring".

Me:  "Really!?!"  (In true disbelief because, although I don't follow much football, I do like Favre and truly was surprised.  But, come on, I was expecting orders.  Germany. Spain.  Orders!)

Him:  Sounding very dismal and in need of a hug, "Yeah, can you believe it?"

Me: In shock, "No, I can't.  Wow!" 

Him: Sounding a bit resolved, "Yeah, I was kind of expecting it.  You know Favre,  he toys with this every season.  But, what really bums me out..."

Me:  "Yeah?"

Him: Pensively, "...how am I going to break it to Colby? I mean, the little man LOVES Favre.  He wears his jersey every weekend.  How am I going to explain it to him?"

Me:  Thinking that a little bit of sarcasm, a little bit of tough love, and a lot of understanding ought to do the trick, "Tell him how much you'll miss him too.  Cry with him a bit. Hug him.  Then go throw the football around. You'll both make it through and be ok."

Me:  Because I'm feeling as if I'm on a roll, "Should I write Favre a letter to let him know that we'll be asking him to pay the shrink bills if he doesn't rethink his retirement... because he's going to totally mess with my husband's head, my boy's heart, and our families belief in football altogether?"

Him: Sounding like he's choking back tears, sitting up tall, putting a furrow in his brow and taking it like a man, all while getting a little annoyed with me, "Yeah, that'd go over great!  No, we'll be ok."

Me: Thinking that I'm such a loving and understanding wife, because I've distracted him from his sorrows and pain, "Ok, honey, have a great day!"

Him: A bit defeated and deflated, "thanks"

Me: Now feeling a little bit like a jerk and in the need to cheer him up, and because I am a fairly decent cook, "What would you like for dinner?" because the way to every man's heart, even the Brett Favre is retiring so I'm glum - heart - is through his stomach.

A romantic at heart

No matter what you say, or what you think, I KNOW my husband is romantic.  Just this morning I heard him talk sweet nothings...

Craig, as we're standing by the bus stop this morning, was talking to our neighbor, Matt, about the Super Bowl and how it was the best game they've seen in their oh-so-many years.  They were talking about some play that Eli Manning made. I think Eli Manning. Right?   (Ok, truth be told, I have no idea what they were talking about because I know nothing about football, and - I confess - I didn't even watch the game.)  So, back to Craig's comment about what I think was Eli Manning's game winning something or other. (Is he a quarterback?)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Matt: "Man, that was some game, wasn't it?"

Craig: (with such excited glee, for a fleeting moment I thought he was talking about Favre) "Yeah, it was such an awesome game.  And that play.  It was so Elwayesque."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aaaah, how romantic!  I {heart} my husband's love and enthusiasm for football!

Three Cheers for...

1.) A really cold morning, and a really cute girl waiting for the bus.  It's cold...Hip, Hip, Hooray!

2.) A husband who ran his first half marathon last weekend...the First Light half marathon down in Mobile.  Let me tell you the scoop.  Craig has been injured for the last month or so.  He was told to stop running for a while back in the end of November because he has Iliotibial Band Syndrome.  What is that you say?  Yeah, I said it too!  It's where the ligament that runs down the outside of his knee starts rubbing on the bone, causing inflammation and pain.  It's caused from many things; in Craig's case, alot of running - he was training for this race.  His Doctor and Physical Therapist told him he could still workout on the elliptical and the bike to keep his heart healthy. But no running for a month.  Well, that meant that the whole entire month prior to this race, he was not able to run and train.  He finally got the "ok" to run in the race about a week before, but was told to take it easy.  If any of you know Craig just a tiny bit, you know that "easy" is not a very good descriptive word for him.  That he always does his best, that he's a "go big or go home" kind of guy.  So, it made me proud when he decided, with an injury and doctor's orders to "take it slow", that he'd still run the race.  He took his time and finished the 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 15 minutes. (That's an average of a 10.3 minute mile.)  Of course I can believe he finished 13.1 miles, he's Craig.  But 13.1 MILES?!?!??!??!!!! 

I was proud because I know how hard it was for him to take it slow.  For him to keep from attempting his normal 6.5 minute/mile pace and injuring himself even more.  Because he knew if he would have ran at his best speed, he would have been close to finishing at the front.  But he held back, listened to his doctor, and "ran it slow".  Yes, those are his words, "slow"...not mine!  I'm glad he still went and had the experience.  It was a good experience for all of us, actually.

The kids got to run in a "fun run" (1 mile), while we were waiting for him.  And the whole hype and excitement during this type of event is worth going to.  It's inspiring.  I'm still feeling the way I felt during this post, inspired by my family and wanting to get healthier myself.  I guess it'll have to start with the first step.  If you'd like to see more about the race Craig ran in, you can go here.  So, for Craig's first half marathon, even at "slow" speed...Hip, Hip, Hooray!!

3.) A dad who takes all four of his kids camping, in January, all by himself.  Craig took the kids all camping for a night the last weekend we had Killian here over Christmas break.  It was hilarious, how packed he had that van.  For one night.  Don't you even think for a minute these pictures will escape my memory the next time you tell me to "pack light", ha!

   

They were loaded down like the Clampitts or the Lampoons.  And yes, you know it had my OCD doing all sorts of crazy things.  But after nine years of marriage, I have learned, that some things have just got to be left alone.  Craig took all the usual camping supplies, plus loads of extra blankets and sleeping bags (it was actually pretty cold), all of their bikes, fishing gear and stuff to play baseball.  They were loaded down and ready to have a good time!  And they did.  A blast!  Camping in the Cold with Dad over Christmas Break.  A memory, I'm sure, they'll remember forever!  Good job Craig, and thanks for the day off!  I was cozy, snug in my bed with movies and books galore!  Christmas Camping and a night off...Hip, Hip, Hooray!!!

US

A typical conversation between me and Craig.

Me:  (Staring at a blank TypePad post page; deciding what to write.  I have alot to say, but I'm tired and want to make sure I'm saying it right, so...I look up at my hubby who is standing in the kitchen and say) "Hey Craig, would you like to blog on my page tonight?  You could talk about the upcoming Packers vs. Seahawks game?"

Me:  (because I often times keep going and don't wait for an answer) "It'd be kind of cool for you to write on my blog, don't ya think?"  "For everyone to hear from you?" "You know so much about football, and this is such a big game between you and my family, it'd be kind of cool."

Me:  (because I really don't know when to stop) "I don't know what to write tonight.  Yeah, you can write.  It'd be so cool!  So, do you wanna blog tonight?"

Craig: (with the most uninspired, unexcited look on his face) "no"

What is 11x3 ???

Craig's age!!  Oh my, he's old!  The kids had to announce it to anybody and everybody today.  "Today is my Dad's Birthday.  He is 33."  Kind of cute!!  If you'd like to see lots of pictures of my hottie hubby, go to this post from last year.  I tried to talk him into doing something cool for his Birthday Post, like a photo shoot (have you seen his "smiles" in my photos?  Big fat NO to that one).  Or listing 33 things he's grateful for, or 33 ways he's blessed, like on my birthday post, but I didn't figure you'd all want to read "the Packers in the Playoffs with a hint of hope" 33 times...so, you get more of my ramblings.

Happy Birthday Honey!