New Place Called Home

I sure have taken a break from blogging. My life got crazy for a while, that there was a point I just stayed away from the computer. Well that is except to check my facebook and save pictures off my camera.

Life has changed some. We are now in Hawaii stationed at Schofield and settling into our beautiful new home. Right now you probably couldn't tell how much I love it because it's messy, but I try hard to take care of it and have it reflect the way I feel. We're lucky to be in this beautiful place.











We've lived in the house a month and been in Hawaii for 2 months. At first I was quite lost and frustrated with the roads here, but I'm used to them now and whenever I am in doubt I pull out my handy dandy GPS. It drives Mike crazy how much I use it, especially when he thinks I don't need it, but he's the one who thought it'd be a good idea to get it! lol Plus there probably are times that I plug it in and use it just because. ;O)

Michael isn't here with us. He went back to live with his Mom in Florida. It's tough and sad but it was for the best and even though I could share that crappy turn of events, I won't. His mother can share her version if you really want to know. Good luck to those of you who have no idea who she even is!

Moving here we were facing a 3rd deployment but as you read I said 'were'. It's good and bad on several different levels, but at the end of the day I am grateful I won't have to worry about Mike or have him away for another year. Wondering why he isn't deploying still when his unit leaves in a few weeks?? Well that's because my stinkin' husband broke his knee 3 days before we flew to Hawaii.







Yes that is my husband....he's never been good at his timing but it is always a comical turn out. I'm not saying that him breaking his leg and ripping his ACL is funny, but when things turn out crazy sometimes all you can do is find the funny silver lining. He already had his first surgery and is recovering/going through physical therapy but it's a long process. Even though he wants to deploy he won't be fit to for atleast 6 months and that's only if the surgery went well. Time will tell.
As for now we found out today he will be on RearD but if he has anything to say about that, it won't last long.

Rebekah is almost done with school. She has a week left and then will graduate to 1st grade. It's hard watching her and Jayce grow every day. She gets bigger, smarter, and more independent that even though I am proud and grateful, it breaks my heart to know these days and these years are going so quickly. Especially with Bekah Boo because she's already almost 7 and I'll never have her like I did the first day she came home. *sigh* Staying away from that emotion....she loves the Beach!! She loves to swim, and she loves to "Surf". It is only a matter of time before Mike gets her a long board and can teach her how to really surf. I am enjoying the days of just boarding and not having to worry about the ocean swallowing up my baby. Issues?? Yeah I may have a few, but they are just mama fears.

Life has been an adjustment but a beautiful one. It certainly is beautiful here. A lot like most towns and cities in the rest of the US but much prettier views. As I move on each day and try to do a little more to get us settled, I spend many moments just trying to take it in and realize I am really on my own now, with my own family, like a real adult :O) Scary!! lol

Baby vs. Dog

Jayce decided he'd rather have Clemsons chew strip. The whole thing was cute because Clemson is so tender and sweet to Jayce, even when the little terror is taking his food away!

Going in for it...


Jayce really has no idea you should be afraid when reaching in to take the bone out of a puppies mouth! lol


Or maybe he does cause all he gets is a big wet kiss


Clemson nicely waits for his chance to take it back.


There's his chance...


Not over yet, looks like Jayce is going to keep that bone after all


Yep, running away with it *L


Wait, I think Clemson is done with the back and forth?!...


It's Over. The dog wins LOL Jayce is trying to figure out where it went!

Where have I been?

I don't know where I have been or really where the last 12 days have gone since I last blogged, but geeze! Getting older sucks because the days get shorter and even a few dissapear all together. :o)

The last couple weeks have not been quite enjoyable. I have {still am} sick. Fighting the flu/sinus infection that I believe has now rolled into an ear infection. I need to go in and see a Dr. but that will have to wait until Thursday if I am not feeling better. Monkey hasn't been feeling good either. Mike took him in to the ER for a breathing treatment about a week ago because he thought he had croup, but tests came back negative for that and RSV. They think he just had an upper respiratory infection. As of now he is still a little congested and on Benadryl for allergies. Really it has been a sad site to see with both of us looking miserable, I can only imagine how pitiful we both look, but he is still active and keeping me on the chase. *L

Like right now, Monkey has the slobbery wet face from drool and snot {that I wipe constantly} and terrorizing me as I hold him and he wants to yank my glasses off my face. He is certainly a determined little man when there is something he wants. Being sick hasn't slowed him down that way...darn it! :o)

So far we're managing through and keeping up the meds. There have been several hours and days I'd like to dissapear or have a 'replacement mom' to come in and care for the other two rugrats though. Each day getting them off to school, cleaning, homework, and then cooking them their dinner has been a challenge. A challenge that on most days I high five myself after everything is complete, or I pat Mike on the back when he does it! Atleast so far Michael and Rebekah seem to be feeling fine.

I will tell ya, Bekah is in Kindergarten now and that child's teacher gives her more homework than Michael {the 4th grader}. It's frustrating to have to sit with her for an hour or two each night to get it done. I am beginning to wonder what she does IN school. The joys of parenthood...I have homework again. She is doing awesome though. Her handwriting is getting more refined and I love to hear her tell me new things she didn't know before like colors, numbers, and what a platypus is.
Michael is wanting us to sign him up for Cubscouts, so Mike called last night and we will soon have a scout running around the house.

Not too much more has been going on than that lately. I need to upload pictures of the kids and post them on here from this past weekend. It rained all weekend so we spent good family time inside.
If you would like to comment the blog, click on "Thoughts" at the bottom of the blog. Mike asked me the other day if you could and I had to show him where when he was reading on here, so I thought I'd let others know in case you wondered the same thing.

Well till next time!
Auf Wiedersehen :o)

Hibachi Steak and Shrimp

WOW! Dinner was so yummy tonight and I can not wait to have it again!! Mike and I are always missing the little japanese restaurant in Myrtle Beach when we feel like eating japanese, so I decided for our anniversary yesterday that I'd make him hibachi. Well yesteray was a BAD day with Jayce teething and having to go grocery shopping that I made a quick hamburger steak instead and decided tonight I'd make my honey a good dinner. I didn't fail, that's for sure! He loved it.


First you make the Mayo sauce and should let it set over night so the flavors have a chance to blend. All you need is:

1 - 1 1/4 cup of Hellman's mayo. {Yes it should be Hellman's because then it won't taste so much like mayo.}
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon paprika
dash cayenne pepper
{Don't leave out the dash of cayenne pepper...it needs it!}



Mix all the ingredients until it's well blended and smooth. See! It looks just like the mayo sauce you get in the restaurants. :o) If you don't let it sit over night, it will still taste alright, but not the same.



Then for the meat all you need is
Steak meat
Shrimp or Chicken (whichever you want)
I used the large salad shrimp, because of the kids, but you use the size you like
1 large zucchini, cut into chunks or slices
1 medium sweet onion, cut into chinks or slices

For the sauce to marinate the meat:
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Mix until well blended and then put your cut meat in to marinate for atleast an hour or over night.




You can use a wok, or large skillet, or electric griddle to cook the meat and veggies on. I just spooned the meat onto the griddle, and left some sauce in the bowl for the veggies. I then took the excess juice and tossed the zucchini and onions around a little and let them sit while I cooked up the shrimp and steak.





Mike cooking up the veggies for us while I got Jayce to bed...Gotta love him! He loves to be in the kitchen to help me, even when the dinner was for him.



After cooking the meat, you cook up the veggies until the zucchini gets soft yet still a little crunchy {you don't want them soggy...yuck!} About 8-10 minutes each. Then just dish it up with a side of rice, pour your mayo sauce on top {or off to the side to dip} and you are done...Japanese Hibachi ready to eat!! Enjoy! {I did!} :o)