All Hallow's Eve!

To begin our Halloween festivities we went to our church Halloween party and trunk-or-treat. I was a tiger, Madeline was a lion, and Faye was a cute little bear. Marcus was our zoo keeper. I got all our costumes for under $50! 

Madeline learned how to say "trick-or-treat" which she picked up on fast because she knew it meant getting candy in her bag.

At 6 o'clock we started our trick-or-treating in our new family-friendly neighborhood. There are TONS of children here and they are pretty cute. Madeline got a whole bag full of candy which is funny because I think we spent more money on buying candy for other people for Halloween. But I guess that's how it goes when you're the home owners. 

Anyways, this year's Halloween was great and fun. 

When Everything Is Goin' Wrong Don't Worry, It Won't Last For Long

This week I began two new challenging tasks.

1. Sleep training for Faye.
2. Working out.

The first task has been a remarkable success! Faye has gone from waking up every 2 hours to waking up once at night at 3:30am to feed and she goes right back to sleep. Here is what has worked for me:

• First, move your baby to her own room. I think being so close may affect them while they sleep because a mama's smell is so stimulating for little babies.
• Next, give your baby one last feeding at night when they start getting fussy. (Faye usually starts around 8pm). 
• Put your baby in their crib.
• Leave the room.
• When the baby starts crying, begin a timer for 10 minutes. Do NOT go into the room before the time is up. Sleeping on their own is a skill that they need to learn. 
• After 10 minutes is up then go into their room and pat their back and give them their pacifier if they take one. Do NOT say anything. Just give them the physical reassurance that you are there. Stay for 1 minute. Only 1 minute. 
• After the 1 minute leave. If the baby starts to cry again, start the timer for another 10 minutes. 
• Continue this process until she is asleep. (For Faye it has been going in 3 times, but the first night it usually takes a lot longer). 

This has really been an amazing process for us. I feel more energetic and happier, and even felt like I could being working out to work off my baby weight, and to get fit. 

The second task is still a work in progress. I am in really terrible shape. The bed rest I was on really stressed my body out. I want to be fit before we get pregnant with our next baby which won't be for at least a year, but it'll probably take me that long to be where I want to be. I have been using my Zumba DVD's. I have pretty much ZERO stamina. It is a bit embarrassing, but it starts with baby steps. So, for the past two days I have only had the energy to work out for 5 minutes, and then do stretches for another five minutes. But at least that is something, right? Anyways, I am proud of myself. I usually find time to do it after I put Faye down for her morning nap around 9am. 

Also, I go up and down the stairs a bagillion times a day, so that has to count for something too, right?

Our Journey to a New Place AND Our New Home!

The monotony of the days seems to ring like a pitter patter of the rain. And then suddenly I have to pack up and go. Pick up the floor. Do the dishes. Take out the trash. Change another diaper. Pack the clothes...and don't forget the diapers. We need diapers. Lots of diapers.

Every day is errands and taking care of children, and that has been my dream job since...forever. My goodness it is hard work. But then I get this:

 AND this:

"Look Mama, a temple!"

And I sigh in great gratitude because I am grateful for what I have. My children need me. Goodness they are so needy. But...I need them too.

The last couple of months has been one of the most trialing times in my life. We moved across the country with our children and dog. Why didn't we just fly? The drive was insanely long and my young Faye cant handle life without her Mama for two whole seconds. She was a mess the whole ride out. 

Before we left our rental company told us we hadn't left a months notice that we were moving so we had to pay for another month of rent. I left the check and this note:

 

That way they KNEW we weren't paying for another month. I took a picture in case they said we didn't notify them again. 

On the way we got held up in Utah waiting for the military to get it together and schedule Marcus' commissioning. Thankfully we were hosted by one of my best friends, Caroline. Even though she wasn't at her home--we still had a good time, and her brother-in-law, Bruce, was a great host when he came home from work. He and Marcus played Halo. Men. 

This is a picture of Caroline, Lauren, and Bruce's dogs and my Sampson. They wanted to come in so much... but those dogs are crazy! 

 

The next leg of our journey took us to Melanie in Texas. We made a wrong turn. One wrong turn. We ended up going across the tops of the Rockies...with a 2 month old. It was probably the worst thing, aside from an accident, that could have happened to us. But we made it. 

The sun was so bright. But at least breakfast was delicious at Cracker Barrel. Mmm. 

After we left Melanie, I longed for her companionship all over again. I miss her. My sister. My twin. I've had her my whole life and being separated by this distance stinks. Maybe Marcus will end up going to grad school in Texas. We wouldn't mind. 

The rest of the journey was boring, but we did get to stay with my Aunt Becky for a week, and it was great to see her in the glory of motherhood. She's a good mom, and a good person. 

When we finally got to South Carolina we went house hunting, got sick--all of us, bought a house, and sent Marcus off to Officer Development School in Rhode Island. -sigh-

Then we moved into our new house without my husband. Thank goodness for members of our local congregation because I don't know what I would have done with my children or my still-recovering-from-bed-rest body. 

And now the long-awaited picture of our home. Drum roll, please!

These were the cheapest and also the most awesome dishes for sale! They are microwave, dishwasher, and child-safe! My dream dish-set. haha. 

Pay no attention to the backsplash. I hate it and am going to replace it in time. For now, look how cute this little chicken is! 

Marcus sent me flowers while he's been at ODS and I took a picture for him. I was painting our room that day. I thought this was a good picture of what the kitchen looks like from the dining room. 

This is my newly painted room. It was a TON of work to do two colors and horizontal lines, but it turned out great. I am not posting a finished product of the room though because I want Marcus to be the first to see it since I completed it for when he comes home!

There is the front view and we need to get gutters but other then that the outside of the house is pretty set. It even already had a privacy fence which the previous owners installed because of alligators which occasionally find their way to the canal/pond behind our home. Yay for fences!

Here is the kitchen. I LOVE it. We are going to be updating it with new counter tops and hardwood flooring all downstairs. The fridge is practically brand new and we got it when the fridge we ordered showed up and it WASN'T the fridge we ordered. 

So, there are a few pictures for you curious people. :) I wanted to post a few pictures of Marcus that he sent me while he's been gone. I miss him like crazy and I hate feeling incomplete. There are also random pictures we've been taking here at home.

His first uniform and it cost an arm and a leg. 

What a handsome mister!

The beaches here are super hard but super warm. 

My best friend. 

Reaching for things. 

She had a pony tail on her arm and decided it needed to be accessorized with her princess horses. She is so creative!

A good moment for Uncle Tyler and Faye. haha

One of her favorite toys.

We went to this place called Monkey Joe's with our friend Laura and her daughter Hailey. This is Maddy sliding down the ginormous slide all by herself!

They were so cute and held hands for a little bit. 

Me being a mom :)

We went bowling for Madeline's first time and she did really well! She beat Uncle Tyler and by the end she even figured out that we are supposed to take turns. 

Madeline checks on Faye throughout the day. She is such a caring older sister.

These moments. :)

I have tired written all over my face, but I suppose it is the best reason to be tired.

Thanks for checking in! We are happy and surviving.