It's Never Easy

Tonight we had our first of goodbyes with some of our closest friends...Leon, Roxy and their boys, Dakota and Dominic. I first met Roxy when they moved in right next door to us around September of 07. Jay was home for the weekend break...this is while he was in IULC down at Camp Pendleton. I told him we had new neighbors and when he got home he gave the guy a weird look. The "i-know-you" look! It was another marine in 2/7 that was also down at IULC with him. We thought it was pretty neat how they got moved in right next door to us. I introduced myself to Roxy and we've been friends ever since. Even though they moved away during the deployment we still continued to stay in touch. We have had many wonderful moments together with and without our husbands near. But just like the Marine Corps brought us together, the Marine Corps must seperate us. It is very hard to have to say goodbye to someone with whom you have formed such a close friendship with. However, we are military wives and we are strong. We understand we may have to say goodbye but it doesn't mean that's it. We'll stay in touch for years to come!!

We will definitely miss The Crandell Family. God Bless you all on your travels and good luck at your new duty station. We thank the Marine Corps for bringing you all into our lives!!

Love you all!!

Fridays Five

I have seen a really good idea going on with some of the blogs I read and I think I'm going to snag the idea!! Once a week, my day will be Friday, I will post 5 things that have been happening with us during the week. Just an update so you all know what's going on in our daily lives!

I'll start with Caitlyn...she is being a typical 4 year old, just a little more emotional than most, lol!! For a while we had been having attitude issues with her and we have been working really hard with her to express each emotion properly. She's been doing pretty well with that. She still has a few moments where she gets into trouble but for the most part she is really trying to express herself in the right way. She is no longer in basketball. Jay and I felt she just wasn't quite ready for it yet. She didn't really pay much attention and the way they were doing it here, the time span for them was just too long. She lost focus after about 20 minutes when they had an entire hour to focus. Too long for that age!! She is getting big into sitting down and looking at books. She has such an imagination. She makes up the story as she goes, it's really cute to hear what she comes up with. Just as when she plays with her barbies or her Polly Pocket dolls. I remember being the same way when I was little. Sitting there for hours with a huge imagination making them all talk to eachother.

Cory, our little man....he is growing up way too fast right before our eyes! He is doing absolutely great! I have been having some meetings with his teacher and principal because I've been concerned about an area in school where I feel Cory is struggling. We made some changes for him and since then Cory has been doing great. He's not perfect in the area but has made a huge improvement. He's a lot more eager to learn now, not all the time but more than usual. He is doing awesome in basketball!! Had another game last night, which was probably one of the most intense 8/9 year old game I have ever seen!!! Cory made about 3 amazing shots and his last one had people in the stands up on their feet!! He was loving it!! He is also very into girls right now.....oh boy! He talks about taking his girlfriends on dates and such. I can't believe we are already at that point with him. He's no longer afraid to admit when he likes a girl! A little scary I must say!

Jason has been on leave now for almost 3 weeks. He is going back next week but only to complete his check out from 2/7 and a few days later he'll be back on leave again! He is very ready to start the check out process so he can begin looking forward to his new job. He's been staying very busy going to the gym trying to stay in shape so he looks good when he arrives in Virginia. Always wants to look his best when going somewhere new. He's also been such a big help with Cory in the mornings. Getting him off to school and making their own routine. I sure am going to miss him for the week he's not here in the mornings, haha!!

And as for Mommy....I have been very busy this past week just trying to get things in the house done and ready for our big moving sale! It's been nice to be able to finally put things aside and know we will have less to move with. I am getting started back on my workout routine today. It has been very cold here in the mornings so I have not been on any walks in quite a long time and I feel it!! Since it's been warming up Jenny and I will be starting our walks again!! I have also been getting my relationship with God back where it needs to be. I've fallen short with that and have come to realize that in my life God needs to be number 1. It feels good knowing that Im making that change. I've always believed in God ever since I was little but I have lost sight of Him a time or two. I've been making changes to where I won't lost sight anymore.

Today, we will be going to give our 30 day notice to move. I can't believe this time has come already. I remember the day Jay told me we had orders to Quantico and how I thought it was so far away in time. But here we are with a month left until we move out of the place we've called home for the last 3 years. We still have a lot to do but are moving along just fine. We've been trying to spend as much time as we can with all of our friends here. Just the other day we let the kids play with the water table which turned into Jay and I having a water fight with all the kids! It was so much fun and it really made us realize how much we are going to miss the ones we have become so close with.

Yee-Haw Girl

That is what Caitlyn has been calling herself anytime she gets on her horse! She'll go and find her cowgirl hat and put on some boots then come down and ride away!! Yelling "yee-haw" and "giddy-up horsey". It is so much fun to watch her. She makes me laugh everytime and everytime she gets on she wants me to take a picture of her. Hopefully she doesn't grow too fast....don't think she's going to ever want to say goodbye to this horse! LOL!!

Runnin' the Court

What a team!! The Mavericks have been working so hard and this game it really paid off!! They all came together as a team and showed their skills off. Jay has also been taking Cory to the gym to teach him a few things which has helped a lot. Cory knows and loves the game but there are things he tries to be too fancy with and Jay is trying to explain to him exactly how to play and why not to be all fancy, LOL!! The team they played in this game also played very well! Apparently, they were undefeated and some parents thought they'd try to let our kids know that. It's very sad when parents feel they need to take it to that level....especially when they hold a position at our school!! We ended up breaking that undefeated streak and celebrated humbley! Cory ended up making 4 shots in this game and he was so happy to have helped his team out!! He's really enjoying this season and can't wait for each game to come each week!

No More Myspace

Although some of you already know...Jay and I have deleted our myspace account. This will be the only place everyone can see updates on our family. Without myspace you will likely see more photos and updates on here. I may not always send out an email to notify of the update so make sure you check us out on here whenever you can!

9 Going on 19

The title definitely explains this little lady! Brittany, Jenny's daughter, turned 9 years old and she has got the personality and attitude that makes it seem as if she's much older!! Brittany is an amazing little lady. We have been lucky to watch her grow over the past 3 years and my how she has changed!! But she has still remained such a loving and caring young lady. I would say she had a pretty good birthday this year! She made out like a bandit!! Of course, Aunt Cindy and Unlce Jay had to get her gifts to drive mom crazy, LOL!! We love you Brittany...Happy Happy Birthday!!!

They Got Me!

So, on my birthday I thought the get together my friends had for me here was the jist of everything....I was sooo wrong!! Jay called me from work about 2 weeks before my birthday even rolled around and said he'd like to have a dinner night just the two of us on Friday, 2 days after my birthday. So I asked Jenny if she could watch the kids and of course she was more than happy to. I even told her that we'd watch her kids so her and Brian could have a night out too. Well, Jay and I went out that night and after dinner I asked Jay if we could go over to the mall. Usually Jay is always willing to please me so I kind of expected him to say sure. But this time, to my surprise he did not! I was kind of shocked!! Even after giving him my sad face and bugging him he still stuck to his answer. After dinner at the Cheesecake Factory we headed home. I had Jay call Jenny to let her know we were on her way so she could have the kids ready. She said she'd have them ready. We got to their house and I tried to walk in but her door was locked (not typical). I just thought maybe they were holding Cutter, their dog, back. Brian answered the door, I walked in and SURPRISE!!!!!!!!! All of my closest friends were there, Jenny had the house completely decorated and I was greeted with many hugs from all of the kids!!! I was completely surprised. More than I ever have been in my whole life! Jenny and Jason had this in plan for weeks and they did an amazing job keeping it from me. I don't know how they did it. I'm usually pretty good about finding things out. Jay even started a fake argument with me on the way home from the restaraunt to throw me off...he sure did!!! The night was great!

Here I am being surprised!

My pink elephant cake Jenn D. made me!
The "old lady" as I was referred to all night! lol

Opening my goodies!

Me and my very amazing husband!!

The ladies God sent me....Roxy, Jenny, (me), Jackie and Jordan

Jess and Jenn...I wish you were here in this photo!!

I love all of you ladies to the moon and back!!

Cindy and Jenny....a friendship like no other!

Thank you so much to everybody who made this birthday as special as it was. I will remember this birthday forever. It's my last one here in California and I'm very glad you all were here to celebrate with me. Thank you to the two who put this on. You two are amazing and I love you both very much!!

The One With the Red Door...

Well, as most of you know Jay received orders to MCB Quantico in Virginia. We will be leaving 29 Palms on April 1st. Coming here to 29 Palms we had no idea what to expect. Our names were not on the list for a house and we had to stay in a hotel for 10 whole days (not the best hotel either). It was dreadful but we did make the best of it. Well, hearing that Quantico's wait time for a house on base is "currently indefinite" made us think a lot about where we were going to be living. So we made the decision to find a place out in town. We searched and searched over the past month. Found a few places and picked one out! I have been in contact with the realtor about this place for about two weeks now. I was worried because how could we pick a house without knowing the neighborhood or what the inside really looked like. So I asked Jenny if she thought her mom would mind meeting with the realtor to view the area and the inside of the house. She did!! She had some really good things to say about this place and as an added bonus...it's 5 minutes from Jenny's moms house!!! Can't wait to meet them!!

To give you a little info on the house....it is a 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhouse. It's located in Stafford, about 20 minutes from base. It is 3 levels (lots of stairclimbing for me!). There are photos below and I will try to explain each...

This is our deck and backyard.

We are hoping the guy who owns this place

will let us have a fence installed.

These are the french doors that

lead into our "bonus room" This house

does not have a garage but instead

has this bonus room (better!!)

This is one side of the

bonus room, with shelves.

This is the "rec room"

It has a fireplace and the spot

above it is for a TV.

Our washer/dryer will also be

down here.

This is a view of and from the deck.
This is the sitting window located in
the "great room" aka living room.
This is on the 2nd level of the house.

This is just an area in the
great room that looks over
the entrance way to the house.

This is the master bedroom (and bathroom)
All 3 bedrooms are located up on the very
top, 3rd floor.

And my favorite thing in the entire house...
my bathtub!! The shower and tub are separate!!

We are looking forward to making it out to Virginia to get started on decorating our home. Hopefully, we'll like it enough to stay for the entire 3 years we are there!! God blessed us and we are so happy to know that we have a place to step foot into when we arrive!!

Special Delivery

Yesterday I received the first surprise that went with the rest of my birthday surprises! I was on the phone with one of my best friends, Jessica and the doorbell rang. It was a lady with a flower delivery. I stood there wondering who they could be from, while Jess was on the phone.... I started laughing and so did Jess. They were from her!!! I was so surprised. I thought they were absolutely beautiful and Jess was so glad that I liked them. However, Jess said (after seeing the photo) "that is not what I paid for!!!" LOL!!! Regardless of all that, Jess...I still loved the flowers!!! It was such a thoughtful thing to do! I have the most amazing friends a girl could ask for. Thank you so much, Jess for my beautiful surprise!! Love you!

30's Not So Bad!

Yep...I have turned the big three-o!! I am officially an old lady....as I have been referred to all day!! LOL!! However, I am embracing my age and am thankful to have made it this far in life! God has truly been good to me!!

I woke up this morning and came downstairs to start my regular morning routine. I was completely surprised by what I found on my computer chair....see picture!! Jay got me my Dooner & Burke giraffe print bag I've been bugging him for and my Coach sunglasses!!! He spoiled me well this year! hee hee!! The day began well. Jenny brought Briana over so I could watch her while she went to class. Jay is on leave so he was home all day for my birthday!! It was starting out to be a nice, quiet birthday. I had to take Cory to the doctor and when I came home Jenny was here picking up Briana. Well, then the doorbell rang and it was Jenn and Jordan. Not sure why they were here until I noticed Jenn was holding a cake in her hand!! They had all planned a little birthday luncheon here at the house. Sneaky girls and of course my husband was in on it! They really surprised me!! Jenny had gone and got my favorite mexican food for lunch and I was showered with love by my favorite ladies!! I will have to share with you what Jenn and Jordan got me when it gets here...it's very sweet! These ladies and my sweet hubby made my birthday very special. This will probably be the last one I spend with these girls so I will treasure it forever!!

Mavericks Season Opener!

Here we are in Cory's 3rd year of basketball!! This year Cory was placed on the Mavericks and he lucked out this year with a very awesome coach!! His coach has been amazing with the kids, making sure they learn everything they need to know!! Cory is really enjoying basektball this year. He's got some of his friends on his team, which he was really excited about! They had their first game this past weekend and they all played really well!! Cory still wants to be Mr. Fancy as he goes up and down the court but in all he did make one great shot! We were so proud and to see the excitement on his face is worth every minute!

Jordan's 28th!!

Jordan, our very dear friend, turned 28 yesterday!! We met Jordan and her family just 6 months ago and they have already become family to us. She is such an amazing person and offers so much good to everyone she meets. She has such a genuine personality and a heart of gold!! I am very thankful we were able to celebrate at least one birthday with her. Our friend, Jenn threw her a party and made her an awesome elephant cake. The elephant represents our friendship. Jordan was there for me when I went thru a terrible time and she said a quote to me that will stick in my mind forever. It is from Dr. Suess' Horton Hatches The Egg... "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant...An elephants faithful-one hundred percent." Since then we have referred to ourselves as elephants and have promised to always be faithful to our friendship!

The Marine Corps will be seperating us soon but our hearts will never be too far!! Love you so much, J!!

Happy Happy Birthday!!!