So close!

Early in the morning tomorrow I will be heading to the airport to see my hubs. Here he is at his "Rite of Passage" Ceremony that they have at the end of Victory Forge. Victory Forge is there last big training simulation before the officially become soldiers. At the Rite of Passage Ceremony they receive their berets and officially become soldiers. They also drink the "grog" which is supposed to be some nasty concoction of sweaty socks, Gatorade, root vegetables... basically whatever it takes to make it taste gross. Apparently it is never the same twice because the Drill Sargent's are always mixing up their "special recipe".

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He is smack dab in the middle of all the other soldiers. As you can tell he is with a lot of people who are quite a bit younger then him. Hence all the goofy peace/wat up signs.

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Due to the rambunctiousness/disobedience of some of the young bucks in Marcus's platoon he has been able to make little or no phone calls home. I expected not to hear from him that often, but it is hard to take when I see on the facebook page that other spouses have been able to have 30 min to 60 min calls for the last couple of weeks. Because of all the shenanigans going on Marcus's platoon they are still on group punishment when they should be on to individual punishment at this point. One of the first things they can take away for misbehavior is phone privileges. It has been frustrating, but you have to handle the cards you have been dealt with. Good thing is that this phase of his training is almost over, and then he will be with people who are more of a like mind them him, not quite as immature.

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I am so proud of him! He did amazing on his final PT test and has pushed it to the limit the whole time he has been there, even with being sick for a lot of it. I can't wait to see him and be able to TALK to him and find out all the things that have been happening. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't also excited for his night pass that he will have graduation night (wink, wink). It's going to rock ;)

Busy, busy, busy

First ever camping trip, when Olivia was still a baby. There ain't nothin' like seeing a Daddy do what he does best... be a good Daddy!
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These last two weeks we have had a lot of stuff on the go. Keeping really busy, which has worked out great because I am now less than two weeks away from seeing Marcus again. The next two weeks are looking to be just as busy, so pretty much before I know it I will be standing in front of him!
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Today was the last day to send letters in the mail to him. I bought a little notebook to continue the letter writing with and then I will give him the notebook when I see him. It will give him something to read when he gets to CA.
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Things are running smoothly. My tightly run ship is sailing perfectly. There are minor hiccups here and there but I have totally got used to running things solo. I wonder what it will be like when we are all together again?
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I have been experiencing lack of emotion lately. Just when I wonder if something is wrong with me because I am in no way emotional about him being gone, something will happen. Something little or something big and all the emotions that got buried deep as a coping mechanism get released into this giant tsunami. Emotional throw-up so to speak. I feel better afterwards, more human that I still can have those feelings. Just when I think I have become emotionally stunted another tsunami will hit.
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Don't think I am getting on my high horse here saying "look at me, see how amazing I am that I can parent and do all these things MYSELF!". The ONLY reason why this ship is sailing so smoothly is because I have a little village of people helping. They are doing any or all of the following:
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Keeping me sane
Mowing my lawn
Watching my babies
Sending me well wishes
Hugging me when I cry
Sacrificing time and energy
Telling me I'm not crazy
Telling me I AM crazy
Listening to my worries, even if it is the third time that week they have had to do so
Tutoring me in all the "military" ways
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My babies have benefited from an outpouring of love. I know that their needs are being met and that gives me tremendous peace of mind. Also knowing that our separation is only temporary helps a lot too.
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I miss my husband.
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But every time I miss him I am also reminded that we are doing what we should be doing, for our family and for each other. Quiet little whisperings of reassurance.

Living the Life...

I got my '89 celica shortly after graduation. It had everything I could ever want at the time. Ran decent, sporty, sunroof. I loved it. Then I got married and thought "Oh, soon we will get a bigger car. One with four doors instead of two." Money was always tight and we just couldn't justify a car payment. Then we had Olivia. I wondered how I would fit a car seat in that tiny interior, how I would wrangle it in every time we drove someplace. Necessity made me find a way, often times with whoever was in the passenger seat having their knees smashed into the dashboard to leave enough room for the car seat in the back.
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It became our new normal. We got used to all of our car shenanigans. Then we had Bianca. I again wondered how we would fit two car seats in the back and all drive someplace together. Necessity found a way again.

Here is a picture of the 'ole beaut. I was too lazy to snap pictures so I stole these off line. The celica had seen better days. I have been dreaming of a minivan ever since Olivia was born (seriously I love minivans, my life will be complete when I can own one). Money is still tight and we are waiting on our house to sell before we make any decisions on getting a new car. The celica has seen better days, for sure. Temperamental, having to figure out all the "sweet spots" for shifting, not wanting to put a lot of money into it if we won't be having it for too much longer. Waiting game time. Will she make it? When will she finally give up and die?
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Then something AMAZING happened. Fabulous friends of ours are going on a little adventure abroad for the next 6 months. They graciously let me borrow their car in their absence. Sticky car situation SOLVED.
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Hello my pretty 2003 Hyundai accent! Do you realize how much newer this is than my other car.... 14 YEARS!

Another picture I stole online. It has been a freakin' dream come true! 4 doors people, loading kids has been so much easier. And now I have actual cup holder for my drinks, a radio that works, windshield wiper spray that works. It costs less to fill up, has better gas mileage, so peppy and fun to drive. It doesn't stall in the middle of intersections. It feels like I am driving a Lexus! I guess I never realized how much the other car stressed me out all the time until I got one that didn't.

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We have received so many blessings since Marcus and I have been separated. Every time I walk by my front windows and see it in the driveway I smile. Olivia will randomly exclaim "I love driving in this car!".

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Jonathan and Suzanne you guys are lifesavers! My load has been lightened because of your generosity! Thank you SO MUCH!

High Jinx

My youngest loves the bathroom. It is a magical treasure trove of exciting things that she can get into and make messes with. Unfortunately all of the things to make messes with are rather unsanitary.
The porcelain throne being her favorite. *gag* . Today she settled with just the practice potty that was all clean... because it isn't being used for potty training, YET. As soon as the diapers I have run out we are going for it, full throttle, no turning back, do or die.

Olivia was being "domestic" today by wearing her apron. When she came in and saw the mess she took it upon herself to help clean up. She used my canning tongs to pick up all the TP.

Yum, delicious!

Bianca was hesitant about Olivia taking away her TP.

And then she discovered that she could eat the TP. Fiber anyone?

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I have had a pretty killer cold. Feverish, coughing, feeling nasty. I am feeling a little better today, my throat doesn't feel like sandpaper as much. The girls woke up from their naps both coughing and being cranky. I am just glad that we all didn't have it at the same time. I can handle me being sick, or the kids being sick, just not all at the same time. It also helps when sweet friends help out, bring you yummies. Or when Grandma's run the bath time and bedtime routines at the end of a particularly nasty day. I went to bed at 8:30 last night, with the help of NyQuil PM and slept like a rock. I think that is a big reason why I am feeling better today.

Oh, the HORROR!

It has happened. IT!! Do you understand what I am trying to tell you here? A certain baby that is no longer a baby engaged in fingerpainting... ALL OVER HER CRIB. Not with fingerpaint. Oh, no. WITH. "STUFF". FROM. HER. DIAPER.

I am in Hades. My fingers are raw from bleach, she was covered in the stuff as was everything within her reach. (Not that I bleached my baby, I just bleached everything BUT my baby). As I am hurrying to contain the the situation, she crawls over to the garbage... pulls out the diaper I just threw in there and plays with it!

I will have nightmares about this day for many years to come. I probably will have PTSD too. *Shudder*.

I think I need to get out of this house NOW before my brain melts.

Konka's Happy Birthday

"Today is Konka's Happy Birthday day?" ..... "Oh. I wanna eat a pupcake!". Olivia told us of her desire to eat Bianca's pupcakes about every five minutes.

Michelle spear headed the cupcakes, with some little helpers as well! It was all pink and princess. Strawberry "pupcakes", pink table cloth and plates.

Konks wasn't as enthusiastic about cake as I would have thought. She loved the icing part but didn't really go for the cake part.

Olivia was an excellent helper when it came to the present opening.

The girls' cousins helped to decorate the cupcakes.

I even wore pink for the occasion! We had the Radder/Erickson side over for a little family get together/cake and ice cream. Michelle spearheaded about the whole thing. Sent emails out to the family, decorations. It was so fun having her come up for the weekend!

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She even came to church with me on Sunday, which turned out really great. I was 5 minutes early and as I walk in there was no prelude music going. The Bishop sees me, walks right over and tells me there is no pianist/organist and would I step in. I hadn't even sat down yet, so I chucked the bags and the kids with Michelle into the pew and hauled it to the piano. I wasn't as familiar with the songs they had scheduled for the meeting, so we (the chorister and I) swapped them out for songs we knew better. Luckily with the holiday weekend the person that normally prints out the programs wasn't there. Therefore no programs and no one was the wiser that we had switched the songs. On top of that the Stake Presidency was visiting our ward, talk about pressure! Upside to being asked last minute to step in? Not enough time for you to work up nerves about it. I didn't even realize the Stake Presidency was there until half way through the meeting.

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It was a wonderful weekend spent with family! Hope every one's weekend was as nice as ours!

Saturday is a special day...

We are busy over here today. While this crazy cat is sleeping...
Olivia is baking up a storm with Auntie Michelle!

In just her diaper and t-shirt. Special pink cupcakes for my baby who is no longer a baby. Yikes! How did a year go by so fast? Got some family stopping by a little later to help us ring in her second year in style.

While they are baking I am letter writing. I feel like I am always writing. Starting letters, scribbling down funny things as they happen through the day, addressing envelopes, stalking the mailman, starting another letter answering questions in a letter I got from stalking the mailman. Hope you Saturday is as special as ours!

Potrie Family Reunion

The family reunion rocked. They are always pretty awesome, but this one was the best that I can remember in a long while. Now that us older set of cousins are starting families of our own it is getting to be so much fun to hang out and swap poop/nursing/toddler/baby/newlwedness stories.
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My girls got about spoiled rotten by all the love, hugs and kisses they were showered with! Jackeileen, Angelina, Cassie, Clifton and Miranda especially spoiled them. They were so sweet with them, it was so fun to watch.
I didn't take very many pictures, but luckily my preggers cousin Jenika emailed me the ones that she took. LOVE HER, such a doll!

Cousin Melissa did a cute little braid in Olivia's hair. She felt so special!

Where we stayed. My parents were living the high life in the trailer. I was in the Crappy McCraperson cabin right behind them.

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It was a douzy having the little girls there, so much gear and shenanigans to deal with. Luckily my parents (and all the family) were great at helping ease my load with the babies. I was definitely tired at the end of each day, but nothing compared to how exhausted I could have been.

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Family Auction WIN!!

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As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it. For my little girls that is. A SNAKE QUILT! Made by my lovely and talented Auntie Laura. The heads are all loosey goosey and all the eyes are different. If you look closely you can see the background fabric is ladybugs! It it perfect for a toddler sized bed.

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I wish I would have taken a picture of all the loot at the auction, but I was always forgetting! Let me assure it was amazing and there were so many treasures to be had. But I knew this quilt was mine. I bid first and frequently and drove away all my competition! Olivia about died when I gave it to her.

Here it is in all of it's snake glory! I am seriously in love with this blanket. Seriously.

I am not one of those people that wake up and look amazing. I look like I have been hit by a truck, kinda like that bus driver guy from the Simpson's. Add in the fact that we were camping and the facilities were kinda run down, I did NOT look pretty. (By facilities being run down, I really mean that I felt like I needed a shower AFTER my shower.... ewww.) Jenika and Melissa always looked so beautiful, fresh and clean. JUST NATURALLY. Like we would all line up for breakfast and their hair looked so great and I just looked like a Sasquatch. Um, pretty jealous.

Melissa doing up Olivia's hair!

Auntie Laura is so fabulous (AKA quilt maker extraordinaire!). The hike gave us an awesome chance to get caught up.

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We went on two family hikes. So much fun and a great time to get to talk to people one on one. I must have told they "why we are in the Army" story about a kerbillioin times. I didn't even mind because I knew that everyone that asked about it truly loved us and wanted to get caught up in all the happenings of our life. I felt so much love and support there. I'm not meaning about our new life direction. They just love you. Support you. Period. It was fabulous!

Stian created that rockamathingy. We all tried to get together for a group shot.

Jenika rocking that baby bump! Another one of those naturally wake up and look fabulous types. Sigh.

Camp Hurlburt was right on Lake Okanagan. It was too cold for me to venture into the water. I think I had on a dozen layers at all times.

Tons of games were played. Settlers of Catan, Holla!

So many bright and sunny faces. Auntie Rosalie!! Auntie Deb!!

There were various stops on the way to the reunion. Konks was not a fan of being caged in her carseat. AT ALL. Thank goodness for portable DVD players.

Do you think we had enough stuff packed into the vehicle?

Our little shanty that we slept in.

It got real cold at night so Olivia slept in about 6 layers of blankets.

My cautious girl even got on the zip line. ALL. BY. HERSELF. She loved it! The cousins talked her into doing it and then called me over to watch. It was such a huge step for her, I was so proud!

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I missed the Family Council because I was trying to get Olivia down for a nap, but they filled me in later. Guess what they served during the council? BROWNIE ICE CREAM SUNDAES! Told you the reunion rocked. All my family council dreams came true. There was plenty left for me to put myself into a sugar induced coma. Needless to say the digits were a little higher on my weigh scale this morning. Who knew that eating a full meal every two hours would increase your weight?

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Another highlight was the Talent Show on Friday night. The Auntie Laura and Uncle Dan family made a video called "The Potrie Report", kinda like "This Hour has 22 Minutes" style. Parodying various family members. We all laughed until we cried. They auctioned off some of the DVD's and Mom got a copy. It was seriously one of the most hilarious things I have ever watched!

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Glad to be home again, but SO GLAD WE WENT!

I'm BAAAAAAAACK!

I'm all cozy in my home back in the US of A. The family reunion rocked my world and then some! More on that later.... I'm mostly unpacked. Clothes back in drawers, various random items back in their places. Kids bathed and tucked snug in their beds.
Feeling so good to be back in my own space that has all of my own stuff. Relishing checking my email and trolling on facebook. Still on a high from being able to hear my hunny buns voice (phone privileges WIN!).
Then it occurred to me that in all the hustle and bustle of getting back home I neglected to feed myself dinner (so that is why my stomach hurts...). Downside of coming home again? (Well coming home again if you are a crazed single parent who has cleaning and organization down to a fine science). I didn't buy groceries close to us leaving, came up with some crazy dinner ideas to use up the last of our fresh food. Which worked out great in the sense of making my dollar go its farthest and not waste food. Except I forgot when coming home again that my fridge looks like this:

So it is almost 9 at night. I haven't eaten dinner. Hows about some yogurt, topped with wheat germ, sprinkled with feta? I don't know what I am going to feed the girls for breakfast as most of our breakfast options include milk. If I had been thinking clearly at all I would have picked up a gallon on the way home. It's not like I can whip out and buy some now. Well good thing I know my neighbors, I see a fridge raid in their future! (My neighbors are my parents... it's not like I would just bust into any one's house for a gallon of milk! Well, maybe....)

Top Ramen here I come!