Happy Birthday Little Man!

Dear Little Man,

Happy Birthday! You turned 1 today. You are such a big boy. We went to your doctor's appointment earlier this week. He said you are perfect. Absolutely perfect! I already knew that!

Your Daddy surprised us all! He came home early this morning. With a big birthday cake too! We are so lucky to have him. And all the guys at the fire house. They made it possible for your Daddy to come today. :)

I still can't believe you're 1. It feels like I just found out I was going to have a baby. When I think about you, I still see your little newborn face. But my baby is growing into my little man. Too cute you are! I love to cuddle with you in the mornings. And I absolutely melt when you start to flirt. You're just like your daddy. Flirting all the time! :)

This morning you just loved tearing up all the paper. I think you liked the wrapping paper more than you liked your presents this morning. Daddy and you just loved playing with all your new fire trucks.

Other things that you are doing that just surprise me, well you've been walking for about 2 months. But you are getting a lot better at it. Definitely not falling as much. But when you fall, you usually just laugh and smile. And you are definitely a good eater like your daddy. Hmm, you really liked your birthday cake too!

This past year has gone too quickly. It really has. But it has been so much fun being your mommy. I can't believe how amazing you are...my little man! And I'm so happy to be your mommy. I can't wait to see what this year is going to bring for us! I hope you enjoy it all!

Love,

Your ♥Mommy♥

Eastwick

Have I mentioned Eastwick on my blog? I don't know. But I really, really like this show! The characters are amazing. And honestly, I just like this show. It sorta reminds me of Lipstick Jungle. Another show that I loved. but it got cancelled. Oh, I hope this one doesn't get cancelled. I would cry.

If you haven't seen Eastwick, I would recommend you take a look. It's cute and quirky. These 3 are amazing. And the storyline is good. I haven't seen it advertised on ABC. And only stumbled on it one night looking for a show to watch. I'm glad I found it!

♥Rach♥

He's Coming Home!!!

All my fingers and toes are crossed! If no new fires start up, and if they continue to do progress, Mike gets to come home in 10 days!!! Yes, 10 days!!! I'm so excited!

I did change Mikey's birthday party. I guess I didn't think about a lot of things. Like our friends are going to be out of town. Mike was going to be working. And we're moving. Oh, and I'm just overwhelmed. So the party is set for October 25th. Now, I'm really happy!

My hubby is coming home. He's safe. My son is happy and healthy. Oh, and the packing is going better. Just keep us in your prayers. Please. We need a break here.

♥Rach♥

How Do They Do It?

Just thinking about this. How do military wives do it? I mean their husbands are deployed for 6 months to a year at a time. Lots of times, they're husbands are in wars. I just don't know how they do it. Honestly, I repect them so very much. I can barely handle that my husband is gone fighting a wildfire. Because there is so much going on. And I'm so very worried about him. Wow! I just need to breathe. It's going to get better.

♥Rach♥

So Much Fun

We went to a friend's party today. It was for Sarita. She is Lola's goddaughter. Lots and lots of fun! OMG, the food was so good. I hate so much! And now, I can barely breathe. But it was so good! And let me tell you, they know how to throw a yummy party. :)

Mikey and I also went to the Farmers Market. It was so good! We try and go every Saturday. I just love how good the food tastes. You know, fresh and yummy. Oh, and everything just has more flavor. Not only did we buy some delicious apples and lots of veggies. But we also bought 3 bags of Kettle Korn. That's pretty normal for us. Because it's so good! And we snack on it all week.

We've had a fun Saturday. But now, I'm going to go get some packing done. Maybe I'll get on the treadmill for a little while first. Because, I really did eat too much. And I feel uncomfortable too.

♥Rach♥

♥I Like it Like That...Hard and Strong♥

Something funny, my husband and I like to workout. Obviously he needs to be in good shape. Me on the other hand, I don't. And I used to really hate working out. And my hubby used to always tease me.

Because well, we don't have a whole lot of money. And to be honest, we used to go to the gym as a sorta date. Because Mike wanted me to "live a long life." So he got me into working out. And he'd tease me so much. Because my favorite catch phrase is..."I like it like that." I don't know where I picked that up. But that's what I say.

So Mike would joke that I liked to work out. Because I wanted muscles that were hard and strong. So where am I going with this? I went to the gym this morning. Like I do 5 days a week. And I was talking with a friend. I don't even remember what we were talking about. But I said something like, I like it like that. Immediately I thought about Mike.

I just can't wait until my best friend is back home. I miss him a lot. I never realized how much stuff we do together. I realized that this morning.

♥Rach♥

Little Spot

This is Spot. Mike bought him when I 1st found out I was pregnant. Now, he is Mikey's best buddy! He goes with us everywhere. I mean everywhere! Oh, and it's almost impossible to wash him. Mikey needs Spot with him when he sleeps.

So I will usually tell Mikey in the morning that Spot needs to have a bath. And we put him in the washer with Mikey's bedding. We have breakfast and do a few things that keep my son busy. By the time he remembers Spot, he's clean and dry. Ready for his next adventures.

Do your kids have a special little buddy? I just think it's the sweetest thing to watch him love his puppy. :)

♥Rach♥

Too Cute

I seen this and about died from the cuteness! I was google-ing for some birthday stuff for Mikey. And I found this picture. I really want to get Mikey one. Now, I just need to do some searching. I really want to buy this back pack. :)

♥Rach♥

*Update: I found the backpack. And of all places, at Wal-Mart! It's $28.88. I never new that you could find such cute things there. They have this cute one for girls too!

Glee

I'm in love with this new show. That's all I have to say. It reminds me of high school so much! You know, all the little groups and stuff. But I really like it. I found myself sitting there singing to the episode the other night. It was amazing! And I really enjoy it. I hope that it sticks around for a long time. I think you should watch it too!

♥Rach♥

Amazing

Yesterday was my birthday. It was a little sad to not have Mike around. But I know that he is doing something very important.

But Mike called me early in the morning. And he had some roses sent to me. Love this man so very much! Honestly, I don't feel whole when he's not with me. That's how much I love him.

My parents sent me some yummy gift cards. And my in-laws sent me the most amazing necklace ever! Oh, and a gift card for Olive Garden. One of my favorite places to eat. Thanks so much!

My friends, Lola in particular, made me feel so special too! She brought me a homemade cake and lots of fun girly presents. Wow! Thanks everyone. It means so much. I had a great day with my little guy. The only thing missing...my true love.

♥Rach♥

Planning a Fireman Birthday

I've been trying to plan Mikey's 1st birthday. I'm not sure it's going so well. Because I'm stressed out. We have a move. And Mike is away fighting a wildfire. But being a mom, you've got to learn how to deal with these things.

I can't find any fireman birthday things anywhere. Nope. Not anywhere! It makes me so sad. I've gone to every local party place within an hour's drive. When I was about to lose hope, I found this website.



I really like these! They're candles. I didn't find them on the party page, but at this UK shop. For about $4.50. I'm definitely ordering these!



I would really like a fire truck birthday cake. But I don't know. I think it could be pricey to buy. And I can only find this cake pan on ebay.



This set is $34. I really like the favor boxes, but they're $5 a piece! If only I could find just the box. I could fill them up myself.

I just need to get over feeling so down. I think I just miss Mike. And I don't want him to miss our son's 1st birthday. But I need to get moving. I want this to be a very special day for our son. I know he probably won't remember this. But I still want the day to be very special.

♥Rach♥

Friday Updates

I figured I would start a weekly update on my blog. Look for it on Fridays. Just to let you know what is going on with me and the family!

♥Rach♥

1. Mike called last night. He is pretty tired. His job is tough as hell! But he is optimistic. He wants to believe he will be home before my birthday. And that they can contain this fire soon!

2. Mikey's new favorite place to hangout, is the laundry basket. He somehow manages to climb into it. And when there are towels or blankets in there, he lays down to sleep! :)

3. We only have 1 month, 1 week, and 3 days until we move! I am not even thinking about packing. I should though. We have a lot of stuff that needs to get packed. On the bright side, there are lots of boxes that I never unpacked when I moved in with Mike. But we have a baby now. And triple the stuff!

4. Emmers and Paul are in town. They got here Wednesday. I finally got to see them yesterday. And they are moving back! I can't believe Lola and J kept that secret from me!

5. I started to go to church with my friends during the week! We go on Tuesday and Thursday nights. And of course, Sunday mornings. I am totally getting into the Catholic Church. Almost like I have been a Catholic my entire life! I am about halfway through my classes.

6. I baked cupcakes. And didn't burn them! Too bad Mike wasn't around to try them. I baked yesterday morning. Then loaded them with chocolate frosting. And I have already ate 6 by myself! I'm gonna get fat.

7. Mikey loved running into the guys, from the firehouse, this morning. I went on my morning run as usual. Pushing him in his stroller. Thanks mom for buying me a running stroller. And he saw the guys. He about jumped out. Good thing I had him all buckled down! :)

8. It's official, only 1 of our 7 strawberry plants still lives. I don't know if the drought has anything to do with it. Or do I just have a black thumb? We got a total of 4 strawberries since the spring. The birds would eat them before they got too big.

9. I really did clean out the junk drawer in the kitchen. It was stuffed with junk. Pens that didn't work, old AOL CDs, takeout menus. Packets of ketchup, salsa, and mayo! You name it, I found it! How long has Mike lived here? If I could just clean out my makeup drawer we would be in business.

10. I got some good news today. I can't tell you yet. But it is good news. Something that will add more joy to our upcoming move! I should tell Mike first. So you just get to wait!

Thursday Thunks

I found a new addition for my blog, the Thursday Thunks. It's like a weekly survey for your blog. So here goes nothing!

♥Rach♥

1. Your thoughts on truck drivers?
They are hard workers. I had 3 as neighbors before Mike and I moved in together. They may look mean, but they are just big 'ol teddy bears!

2. Did you hear Michelle Duggar is pregnant for the 15th time? (but that will be kid #19 if you lost count....)
I saw it on the news. I just can't wrap my brain around that. I just hope Anna and Josh don't go and have this many kids!

3. Have you ever done something to hurt someone intentionally... just for the sole purpose of hurting them because you thought they deserved it? Maybe a paybacks a bitch sort of thing?
I did. I had an awful roommate when I first started college. She stole everything from me. My clothes, money, my boyfriend. She had it coming. And I don't regret it. Someone had to teach her a lesson.

4. Is there anyone in your life that when you go to their place of residence, you just walk in without bother knocking? Does anyone just walk into your house without knocking?
Not that I can think of. Mikey is just crawling, and he already pushes doors open. Could be a problem in the future...

5. Whats in the trunk of your car? Do you even have a clue?
A blanket, extra shoes for me, a diaper bag with a change of clothes for Mikey, some toys, and 2 jackets.

6. When you go to a family holiday get together (such as Christmas or Thanksgiving), about how many people are there?
When it was just my family, about 25. With Mike's, I would say easily 100.

7. What is in your kitchen sink right at this very moment?
A bowl, a glass, 2 spoons, and 4 bottles.

8. You go to a store to buy an expensive item... say $150. You pick up that item and a couple other this n' thats. You get to the register and the expensive item rings up at $40. The cashier doesn't seem to notice and tells you your total. Do you go with what they say and pay it or do you question the price difference? You know you would question it if your $40 item rang up at $150...
I wouldn't. I have worked in retail. They rip off the consumer so much that a minor detail like that is not going to dip into their pockets at all! I would probably go spend the money on something else in the store anyway!

9. Do you fold your underwear or do you just toss it in a drawer?
I toss mine in the drawer and fold Mike's. Come one folks! You can fold boxers, you can't really fold...

10. There is a Harley-Davidson giveaway. Chances are $100 and they are only selling 250 tickets. Do you buy one?
I would. Hoping to win it for Mike.

11. Who is your favorite Disney character?
Daisy Duck, she is so overlooked!

12. It's September - most of the weekly sitcoms/dramas are starting new seasons again. Which one are you most looking forward to?
It's a toss between Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and House.

13. You are at a grocery store and are on your way out to your car with your cart full of grocery bags. On your way to your car you see a black kitten in an empty cart. What do you do?
Call the store to let them know what is going on. Then move on. I am allergic to cats!

14. Is there anything that you do for a hobby that you are asked to do for friends/family that most people would hire a professional to do? (example: cake decorating, fixing cars....)
Not at all! I am not crafty. Although, my cousin paid me to do her makeup and hair when she got married. Does that count?

15. Are we there yet?
Are we where? You sound like Mike!

Gmail Down

Is it going to result in more births 9 months from now? I don't know. But apparently, the wives of some of the firefighters around here, think so.

Do people really check their email that much? Are people that addicted to the internet and all it has to offer? I have been wondering about this for a while now. And with gmail down yesterday, I began to get my answers.

Personally, since I left school, I don't HAVE to get online daily. If I happen to be around the computer and need to do something, I do it. If I am bored and need to occupy my time, you will also see me there. And if I am trying to shop for something, I will be online. That happens when you live in a small town, with no good stores.

But I am not one of those, I just HAVE to get online every single day. Or I have to be online every minute of the day. You know the type. The ones that check every single email as it comes in. Or live on MySpace, Facebook, Youtube, and Twitter.

So is the modern day, email is down, the equivalent to the past power outages? I don't know. I find this to be hilarious! I guess we will find out in 9 short months.

♥Rach♥

Charlie the Bear Man

You can tell I am insanely bored. I just finished watching ABC's Outsiders. The story was about Charlie the Bear Man. Not that I think only bored people watch Outsiders. I actually like to watch this show. But I was tweeting about the show, while I watched.

Charlie is a man who created a Bear Haven in Alaska. He has been "friends" with these bears for 20+ years. Feeding them, living with them, interacting with them. There is also a camera man that was documenting this crazy situation for a year or 2. Recently, Charlie has had to leave his bears and now faces tons of legal issues for feeding these bears.

The questions are just swirling in my head. How does a person become friends with bears? How did this start? What happened to Charlie's family? Why would you allow bears into your home? Or to be that close to you? I am just at a loss here.

The story was very interesting. But I am not sure that I really understand Charlie's train of thought. It freaks me out if I see a roach outside. Or a lizard in the house. But to allow bears to live with you, that is a whole different story.

The real reason I am watching Charlie's story, and blogging about it, is because I miss Mike. Is this crazy or what? He has been gone for a matter of days. But it feels like years! I don't know how military wives do it. To be without their loved ones for months, even years. That has to be tough.

The last time there were large fires in California, Mike went. He is trained in fighting wild fires. They have to go through special training. Then when crazy fires like this happen, they have to go. There was actually a large group of firefighters that left from our state. Avs feels my pain. As do a group of the firefighters families. But it is still hard.

Maybe because Mike and I are now married. And we have Mikey to think about. I just worry for all of us. Especially Mikey. I know I shouldn't, but I do. Mikey is also missing Mike too. He keeps trying to get his daddy's pictures. I have to be strong for all of us. So I say an extra prayer for my husband. And wait for his healthy return.

♥Rach♥