Sunday, June 29, 2008

Busch Gardens '08

Staying Hydrated!
Self-portraits are fun
Teacups!
Gliders...
Dragon water ride

Alana and Uncle Noah
Ladybugs.

I realized yesterday that this is our THIRD summer here in Virginia!  That blows my mind.  It's also the third year that we've gone to Busch Gardens Europe.  It used to be 7 miles from our house...now it's 30, but worth the trip!  For those of you unaware of all things military, Anheuser-Busch does something called "Here's to the Heroes", where they let military families go to one of their many parks for free (once a year).  We have taken advantage of that to the fullest extent!  We decided to go while Noah is still here.  It was REALLY crowded and REALLY hot :)  I had a fabulous time, though.  It's cool to see how much Alana grows up with each trip.  This was the first year that she really rode rides--some of them even by herself!  I thought I'd include some pictures of our day...and wait for it, wait for it...I'm even IN some of them this time, haha.

Friday, June 27, 2008

"Oh my GOODness"

This is what Alana kept repeating tonight, while looking at herself in the mirror.  "Oh my GOODness, I don't look like myself" haha.  She got a REAL haircut today...She told me she a) wanted hair like Trixie on Speed Racer...and b) wanted to give her hair to the sick children that didn't have any "like Papa".  I am still kind of in shock that her hair is gone, but I think it is going to be much more practical.  It's REALLY short in the back right now!  She LOVES it!  She can't stop touching it and turning her head around...Thought I'd share this video.  



In other non-hair news, I ended up with a 99 average in my math class...I have one more class to take before I can start my nursing program.  All together now: "Oh my GOODness!"

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Alana's 4th Birthday


Happy Birthday, Alana Grace!  I cannot even believe that my little girl is FOUR today...Time flies by when you are having fun, I suppose!  We had a princess party for her on Saturday.  That was a blast.  Lots of people in my not-so-roomy home...but good times nonetheless!  Today we continued the celebrating with a birthday lunch at the Silver Diner, followed by a Toys R Us "shopping spree" courtesy of Papa :)  We also (I think) found the school we are going to send Alana to!  See, my little girl is growing up so fast!  I just wanted to share some of her special day(s) with you all!  Enjoy!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Barnes & Noble, baby!


Sorry it's been a while since I've posted anything new.  It has been a busy week!  Anyways, in all of my running around today I found this at Barnes & Noble.  For those of you who weren't aware, Jon is on the cover of Premier Guitar magazine this month!  It's apparently been a hard one to find, but I found 12 of them today...Unfortunately, my bank account only allowed me to purchase one :)  I'm so proud of my little brother!  You can also see his lovely face on www.badenguitars.com!   Check it out!


Wednesday, June 18, 2008

I'm (OH), I'm still ALIVE...




This post is probably the hardest for me to write...What words can I use to describe last night?  I guess I'll just do my best to recap the night as it went.  We got to the concert, where we hit the jackpot with parking about 15 spaces from the gate...and again, FREE!  We were told that you could not bring cameras into the venues, but that some bands would allow disposable cameras.  I didn't have one, so we snapped a couple of pictures outside by the car and left the camera in the car.  They also said we could take one bottle of water per ticket holder, but it had to be sealed...so I had 2 bottles of water, one for me and Justin, and then they told me I had to pour it out into a cup.  Apparently Pearl Jam had a "no bottle" rule at their shows...Perhaps too many thrown on stage?  I didn't want to pour it into a cup and carry it around, so I painfully left my two bottles of unopened water on the garbage can.  I couldn't even bare to throw them away :)  Then when we got inside the water there was $4 a bottle.  Compared to my $5 ticket, it didn't seem quite worth it!  Ok, so we get inside the amphitheater and found the lawn seats, which were nowhere near as far away from the stage as we thought they would be.  We chilled on a blanket during the opening band "Kings of Leon" and got more and more excited with the end of each of their songs.  I was reminded of when Relient K opened for the Goo Goo Dolls, and how Jon said it was obvious that everyone wanted them to hurry and be done so they could get to the headliner.  Kings of Leon was a cool band, nonetheless.   Then for the reason we were there...PEARL JAM!  Now, I should explain that I was definitely the odd man out, because Justin and Melissa are/were the experienced concert-goers.  They came to Pearl Jam with their circa 1994 attitudes and it was hilarious!  Melissa even pulled out her Doc Martens and hemp necklaces.  The thirty minute car ride to the concert was filled with them reminiscing about all the concerts they had been to.  Neither had seen Pearl Jam, but they were on both of their "lists".  Melissa's other band she never got to see was Nirvana, which ain't happenin' in this lifetime...and Justin had a couple, like Rage Against the Machine and Smashing Pumpkins.  Then there's me.  I was not in the same category as they were EVER.  I simply heard Pearl Jam played in my house all the time...I joked with Justin earlier in the day that if I had a nickel for every time I'd heard the beginning of "Alive" being played by my brother, he wouldn't have to be in the Navy...but at the same time, if he wasn't in the Navy, we wouldn't be getting to see Pearl Jam for $5.  So back to the show...They came out and Eddie Vedder said something, maybe how ya'll doin, and the goosebumps emerged from under my hoodie :)  Justin said if he would've been closer, he might have been crying.  We are dorks, no doubt.  So highlights of the show: Elderly Woman, Why Go, Evenflow, Jeremy and of course, Alive!  Then there was one of my favorite Pearl Jam songs, Betterman, which EV dedicated to Justin (ok, to the military people).  I still haven't figure out what the heck that had to do with the military, but I was glad they played the song.  He also jibber jabbered something about how amazing it was that Live Nation was giving us such cheap tickets haha, and basically said he is against the war but thank you anyway.  We got a kick out of it.  Hearing him speak was the best, trying to decipher what in the world he was saying.  Justin saw an interview once where he told them he was a glazed donut...so yeah.  It was awesome.  I am so glad that we went...It was pretty much a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I was glad to have shared it with Justin and Melissa.  Oh, and I forgot to add that EVERYONE had cameras.  I had to do what I could with my phone...which wasn't much.  I even took video, but it was horrible.  Once it got dark that was pretty much the end of it.  I can't even post the pictures we took at the car because Justin is at work, and the camera is in the car :)  So I'll share with you the two that we took at the show with my phone. 

And a VERY special thanks to Angie, who watched Alana and Noah so this whole thing could be possible!!!

Peace, love and mumble mumble.

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Daddy's Day!

This is going to be a twofer post :)  I have two fathers to honor today...Both of which, I love with all of my heart!  In no particular order...(other than the order blogger is allowing me to post)...To Justin, the father of our most beautiful daughter!  I am so thankful to have him in my life.  Alana and I went to the Starving Artist Pottery Studio in Port Warwick last week and made him this coffee mug.  I can't believe it, but we managed to keep it a secret until this morning, when she woke him up with the surprise...He even drank out of it already!






And of course, I have to say Happy Father's Day to my dad.  I decided to be more creative than a card this year and had this video secretly sent to be played at his church this morning...
He thought it was nice, but said that Justin's part was "rude" :)  Hahaha.  

Happy Father's Day to all and to all a Happy Father's Day!

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Get ready Eddie, here we come!


No, your eyes are not deceiving you...Justin holds in his hand 3 tickets to see Pearl Jam on Tuesday night!  Oh, did I mention that we paid $5 each for them?  Thank you, US Navy.  Thank you.  First you make it possible for me to eat a hot meal every night...Then you steal my husband away from me for long periods of time...and now you are making it back up to me with this :)  Of course, this is all pending finding childcare on such a short notice!   Only one thing could make it better, and that is if my brother (who at one point carried a picture of Eddie Vedder in his wallet) could join us.  

That's an open invitation, Jonathan.  If you can get here, we'll get another ticket.  (Our 3rd ticket is for Melissa)

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Portsmouth Children's Museum!

Ok, I'm putting a disclaimer at the beginning of this one...It's gonna be obnoxiously full of pictures!  But it's my blog and I can post as many pics as I want to...

Justin's little brother, Noah (better known as Uncle Noah) is spending a few weeks with us.  Today we went, along with Melissa and her boys, to the Portsmouth Children's Museum.  What a fun thing to do on a hot day!  Here are some of the highlights of the day!

Vrrrrrroooooom!
Firefighter Alana
Big kids in an even BIGGER chair!
Raftin'
Hey Jonah, I'll race you to the top!
Bubble boy
What next?
We went fishing in Malaysia...Our nets are full!
Open up and say "ahhh" Uncle Noah!
Your total comes to...
Digging for fossils
Showing the boys how to do it--in flip flops!
Let's all go to Dragon Land
Down Periscope!



And that my friends, is how we roll...

Peace, Love, and Planetariums. 

Worry Wort Portas

"Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."  -Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message)

"If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father.  He loves to help.  You'll get his help, and won't be condescended to when you ask for it.  Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.  People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves.  Don't think you are going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."  -James 1:5-8 (The Message)

I have a lot of downfalls...I know, shocking.  But one of my biggest issues is worry.  I stress over things that haven't even happened yet.  I get anxious just thinking about how things will pan out.  I know that God is in control of things, yet I still try to take things into my own hands.  I have some amazing people in my life that pray believingly without fail.  And guess what?  Their prayers are answered.  I think maybe sometimes I pray for things out of despair.  I "worry my prayers".  I exhaust all of MY options and then when I can't come up with any more ideas, I ask God.  What's up with me?  I want to be able to truly give to God every part of my life...not just the ones that I can't deal with.  That would be like me eating a big gourmet meal and giving the scraps to Alana.  Obviously, that would never happen.  I want my relationship with Christ to be like mine with my child...I want to give Him the best of me.  

There's a constant dialogue going on in my head...
~Where am I going to send Alana to preschool in the fall, now that the one I'd chosen closed?
~How can I afford it, especially with gas prices soaring as high as they are?
~What will I do when Justin starts doing workups and leaves on deployment?
~Am I making the right decision by going to school?

Notice that every question I ask, has the word "I" in it.  It's time I really believe that none of this is in my hands...and let go and let God.


By the way...
Thank you to Lindsay who has given me a new obsession (The new blog layout) 

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

The Bachelorette anyone?


While I have given up watching television, I will admit that I have been watching The Bachelorette on my computer...Thanks abc.com :)  I haven't watched every season of the Bachelor.  In fact I didn't watch the last one, because after watching the one with Brad Womack, I was completely turned off to the show.  For some reason I felt drawn to watch this show, though...Maybe because I want to see DeAnna get the last laugh.  I think it's really good, too!  I'm going to give you my own analysis (because I can, frankly)...and for any of you out there who watch, give me yours.  If there is anyone out there.  Ok, so most of the guys she has kept I can understand why.  MOST.  Twilley?  Come on!  I have 2 personal favorites, which are Jesse and Jason.  I'm thinking she's not going to pick Jesse because I just can't see her with the snowboarding skater dude.  BUT, she has kept him around this long and really seems to have something for him.  I also like Jason.  He seems sincere, and I love the fact that it doesn't scare DeAnna off knowing that he has a 3 year old son.  Who do I think she'll end up with?  I think she might pick either Jeremy or Graham.  I think they are definitely the front runners right now...I am extremely relieved to see that she sent Bobbie (Robert) packing.  Oh goodness, he gave me the creeps.  

So who's it gonna be next week?  If she gets rid of 2, my picks are Twilley and oh yeah, Sean the mullet dude.


Monday, June 9, 2008

Shameless Promotion Pt. 757


The Conspiracy Of has been blessed with a female singer, and it has really (in my humble opinion) changed the dynamic of the songs completely...And NO it's not me!  For those of you who don't know, Justin has been looking for a singer for what seems like an eternity.  Nothing has every worked out...Either they couldn't sing or didn't have their heart in it...There were even some that weren't christians.  As the Bible tells us sometimes we need to just be still and not try to force things, because God allows them to happen is His own time.  This time it they got it right with Calista!  Please check them out at www.myspace.com/theconspiracyof AND www.myspace.com/theskarekrow13 and let me know what you think!  

Comments welcomed!  For those of you who don't quite know HOW to comment, just click where it says "comments" below...

Saturday, June 7, 2008

How to Spend a Day at the Beach...

1. Bring your new pink frisbee to throw around with friends.
2. Start looking for prime real estate for the awesome sandcastles you will build.

3. Sack out in the Cabana.


4. Throw your hands in the air like you just don't care.


5. Hang on Miss Joanna until she turns blue.


6. Lunch on a Lunchable.

7. Become a Mermaid.
8. Use sunscreen from the moment you get there!!! (not pictured)


Yesterday was one of my most enjoyable days living in Virginia.  I feel so blessed to have made friends with some truly good people...and for Alana to have friends that are their offspring :)  We went to the park earlier this week for our church's "playgroup", and someone brought up the idea of going to the beach on Friday.  When I woke up it was overcast and seemed like it was going to rain at any moment, but Melissa assured me it wasn't going to and that she would still be there.  So I loaded up the Beetle and we headed that way.  I must say that Alana and I haven't gotten to be involved in most of the playgroup days, because we didn't have a way to get there...so yay for second cars!  It turned out to be one of the most beautiful days...The kids had a blast and so did the mommies!  Believe it or not, I DID use SPF 50...I just didn't put it on until too late (obviously!)  I am feeling the pain now.  Please kids, do not try this at home.  Luckily, Alana didn't even get pink.  So after the beach, all the ladies headed home, got cleaned up, and headed back out for a night together--free of husbands and children (We love you, though...We really do).  We went to the Starving Artist Studio where we painted pottery and then to a yummy Thai restaurant, where I opted for sushi.  Mmmmm...We sat outside and ate.  It really was such a relaxing time and a wonderful way to close such an amazing day.  I am so thankful for my church family who understand the importance of friendship!  

I have to close with special props to little Ashleigh who, even though it was her first time ever being at the beach, showed NO fear...crawling through the sand like a trooper and right into the water.  Waves?  What waves?  They didn't slow her down either!  I can't wait to see what she ends up being when she grows up :)

Luke and Mason were there, too, but I don't have any pictures of them!  Boo!

Friday, June 6, 2008

"Mommy, I want a BBQ!"


Alana wanted me to paint her toenails "purple with blue sparklies"...I asked her what it's called when we get our toenails done, and she enthusiastically replied "A BARBECUE!"  I laughed hysterically, corrected her...and then she insisted we have matching "PEDICURES" for the beach.  So here you have it, folks.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

It's YOUR Future!


I have said before that I don't like to get all political, but after watching the primaries pretty much come to a close last night...I got this overwhelming sense that I needed to pray for our country.  It doesn't matter what political party you belong to...It doesn't matter what religion you are affiliated with...What matters is Who you choose to follow.  So if you are of legal voting age, register to vote...and in November, take part in the election.  Every vote counts.  Every vote is important.  Vote smart!

Peace, Love and Elephants :)

Monday, June 2, 2008

Knauss Love







We had a fun and exciting weekend that started on Thursday night...and all of it involved our friends, the Knausses, in one way or another :)  Thursday night we went to the Greek Festival in Newport News with them.  It was so much fun!  They had lots of yummy Greek food (mmm baklava), Greek kids doing the different dances, and big bouncy things for the kids to play on.  OPA!  What more could you ask for?  Then on Friday night, Justin and Marc went out on a date, er I mean, had a guy's night :)  They went to eat wings and saw Indiana Jones...you know, tough stuff.  I guess our pastor and a bunch of the men of the church went, too.  Saturday, Justin and I watched Jonah and Luke so that Marc and Melissa could go to Busch Gardens for her birthday.  It was a fun time...Luke screamed every time Justin left the room.  He also wouldn't let me hold him, even if Justin was right next to me, without making the saddest face ever!  So Justin has a new buddy.  Jonah and Alana, who have been best friends from the start, played til they dropped...You should have seen them at church yesterday!  To top it all off, we went (with about 20 other people from church) to Red Robin for lunch yesterday to celebrate Melissa's birthday.  Now I am trying to start my week, but I am pooped out from all the weekend events...We love the Knauss family :)
p.s. Marc and Melissa bought Alana a pretty necklace (pictured) from Busch Gardens.  She is so proud of it!