Here You Go...

I know everyone is waiting for a blog! So I will finally write it! It will probably be more pictures than writing. I'm sure you won't mind!

So, Jason's homecoming was on Wednesday as you all know by now. It was supposed to be early in the morning, but because of the volcano in Iceland, they were diverted away from Ireland and ended up with a layover in Canada. Then when they left Bangor, Maine...they had to fly way south because of all the tornadoes. All of that ended up being a blessing after Layla was so sick on Tuesday. She was so sick. And she was so confused as to why she kept throwing up. But thank goodness she was perfect for the homecoming.

We got to base about 3 hours before Jason got there. It was actually good to have to wait up there. If I was home, I would have gone insane. Instead, I had good friends and fun talk to pass the time!

Waiting...

More waiting...but almost time!

Their packs arrived while they were still at the armory turning in their weapons. The girls went to look through them to try and find Jason's.

The bus pulling in.

Jason is in the front seat...but of course, he was the last one off the bus!

I think their faces say it all...they were so excited to see the bus!

I can't get over this one of Ava!

Layla got to Daddy first!

Once they hugged him, they never let go.

Helping Daddy find his bags.

Found one.

Too Heavy.

I don't think the girls ever stopped smiling.

Typical. Right back to their normal selves.

Again, typical. Right after Jason licked Ava's face.

It was a perfect night!

And today...Ava graduated Kindergarten!

Walking to school with Daddy!

She spotted us!

Getting her little "diploma".

And now, trying to figure it out.

Miss Priss.

Pushing Layla...

while chatting with her friends.

Ava and her wonderful teacher.

She's a FIRST GRADER now!

And, she won't be going to school in California anymore. Jason got his orders to North Carolina. We leave in August. I have already been contacted by the EFMP coordinator there...that's how official it is. (The exceptional family member program). They are there to help us with getting Layla situated with new Drs...therapists, etc. So...North Carolina...here we come...2 months!

And finally, want to know what Jason is doing while I write this...remember the tv console for the mancave that I couldn't put together because a piece was broken and on backorder...well, that piece came yesterday! ha ha. So...I didn't have to put it together!

Jason and Cali got to!

Dun, Dun, Dun...it's coming!!

I was woken up this morning at 4:20 to the excitement of everyone to Jason's post on Facebook. Then I couldn't go back to sleep. It finally has sunk in that he is coming home. I have been impatiently waiting for the excitement to hit me...and it did early this morning. Jason is out of Afghanistan!

We are so ready for him to be home. The girls keep talking about how they are going to run to him when he gets off the bus. They are planning their attack...and I love it.

This will be my last blog until Jason is home. I am awful at keeping secrets. I can't believe that I have kept this one! I'm actually proud of myself! So the one clue you got on Facebook today...that's it.

So, because of my early morning excitement...I was up, had my coffee buzz and was ready to start my day at 6 this morning! Too bad yard work was what I had planned! Since the sun comes up so early here...I went outside at 6:15 and hand weeded the front and back. When I was done with that...the girls were up, I got them breakfast and at 7...I was mowing! Done at 7:30. So...what I had on my agenda today...I was done before Ava left for school. Nice.

I took the dogs to get groomed after Ava left...my poor baby, Stella! She is just such a baby. She was scared sh*tless! She has been groomed a few times in the past year and has never acted like she did! She bit her tongue so hard fighting going back, that her mouth was pouring out blood! I didn't want to leave her! 30 minutes after I did leave, I called to check on her...they said she was perfect and wasn't so scared anymore...BUT...

They said both dogs had fleas! WHAT!!!!!! I have inside dogs! We don't have fleas here! Guess where they came from...Jason's trunk he sent home. Yeah. Not cool! And why now!!

They gave both dogs flea baths...while they were still at the groomers, I went to Petsmart and got Frontline and powder for the carpet to vacuum up...then came home and started washing the linens. I don't get it though, I have NEVER seen a flea in my house, nor on the dogs...and if they were on Stella, I would be able to tell!

The only bright side of this, can there be a bright side?...I was planning on doing my crazy "get ready for Jason to come home" cleaning this weekend. So luckily, this little problem...will be taken care of by the end of the weekend!

And this is what the dogs have done since their return from the "awful" groomers.

Pathetic! They have such a hard life!

Oh, another thing I got the dogs at PetsMart today...man they are spoiled. Yes, more toys...but I got them one of those big jug water bowls that refills. Both dogs are scared to death of it. Both of them will go to drink and then the tank will bubble and they scramble for cover! Then when they "attempt" to approach it again...they coward over to it...take a quick drink and then run as fast as they can away...all without taking their eyes off the "monster". I have been laughing nonstop at them since I filled it up!

While loading pictures tonight, I noticed that the girls got a hold of my camera sometime...without me knowing...some of what I found!

Apparently, Ava has a new "pose"!

Layla flipping off the couch. I don't let her do this...with her luck, she will hurt herself...I guess she still does it when I'm not in the living room. Shame!

Ava's Mother's Day painting of me. I asked her why I have a big nose...she said it's because you do! Thanks.

Speaking of Ava...next week is her last week of Kindergarten! I hate to even say the words...1st grade. Oh, that hurt to say. 1st freakin grade! I don't know how this happened. So cliche, but seriously. 1st GRADE! Thank goodness I still have 2 more years before Layla starts Kindergarten! We have opted to to hold her back and have her start school when she is 6...that way she is more developed in her speech and hopefully, she will be caught up and on the same level as her classmates.

What else...Oh yeah! All of my fruits and veggies. I used everything in my harvest last week, except for the collard greens. Here's a peak at how I used some of them!!

Swiss chard and white bean soup. Yum!

I made coleslaw with the kohlrabi.

We loved it!

This is how I used the tatsoi...I used it like it was spinach in our breakfast.

I am really having a lot of fun with these veggies! Today for an afternoon snack...the girls had fresh, organic strawberries, carrots and radishes...all from our harvest that we got 2 days ago! I love it!

Also, I am planning on making pulled pork in the crockpot the day Jason gets home. That way he can walk into a house that smells like home cooking! I'm looking for the best pulled pork recipes...so if you have one...please send it my way! I'm making my grocery list and going through recipes!

I think that is about all I have until my other half comes home! Be prepared to be inundated with pictures.



So, I will leave you for now with what I last said to Jason, the night he left..."go have fun!" And for good measure...peace out homies! ha ha ha ha! ( I say that to Jason everyday...it makes him laugh...because I sound stupid!)

Big Changes!

Today, I actually have some interesting things to talk about. I'll start with the "yuckiness"...

The worst way to wake up...to the sound of Ava throwing up. It happens at least once a month. And it still grosses me out. Last night though, she didn't make it to the bathroom. So...at 12:30 this morning I was scrubbing vomit out of the carpet in the hallway. So fun! Ava has the weakest stomach, I have learned to deal with it to where it doesn't bother me so much anymore...but it still doesn't make cleaning up messes fun. Luckily, last night, her hair was up. Today she is fine, of course. She's not sick...dinner just didn't sit well with her. (Note to self...fish sticks are not cool.)

Now, Big News. Sometime in the near future we will be moving to North Carolina. Jason got lucky for 9 years, staying in one place. That luck has run out. Luckily, Jason has talked with his monitor, (the person that cuts him orders) and he told Jason that he can choose when he wants to go, but if he doesn't do it soon, he will give him orders anyways. So basically, we would rather not be surprised about when the orders come, so we are choosing to go sooner, rather than later.

We still have not decided when. Jason said last night he wants August. That didn't sit well with me last night...but after thinking about it all last night and today...that might work in our favor...house and school wise. We have to think about Ava starting first grade...and renting our house.

Renting our house is going to be a big stressor and I'm dreading it. But, that's also why we need to not be surprised about a move...we need to be prepared. We don't have to do much with the house to get it ready, since it's only a year old. But to get an edge over other homes for rent, I would like to get the painting done and get some trees up in the backyard. I have already started looking up Property Managers and making lists. I would rather get ahead of the situation and know what needs to be done.

So, yep. It will be nice to have "seasons" and be closer to Krissy and Adam and my new nephew, Athen. That's a major plus. Jason is really excited about this. He needs a move to pick up Gunny and the experience of being attached to a firing battery.

Right about now...I think I need to go get a massage to get rid of the tension in my shoulders over everything that is going on. But, since that is out for now...I cooked a nice dinner.

I got French Apple Chicken Sausage from Henry's Marketplace this week. I have never bought chicken sausage from a butcher before...but the smell of it cooking was wonderful! It almost smelled like I was baking an apple pie!

Layla was my helper tonight...we even wore aprons!

With the squash, zucchini and leek from my harvest, I made a potato squash Au-gratin.

Ava was too busy singing in her room to help.

I lined the bottom of the dish with the leeks.

Potato, zucchini and squash ready to be layered.

A layer of potatoes first, topped with Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper.

Then a layer of squash and again, parm cheese.

The final layer, zucchini and again, parm cheese. 

Then I covered with foil and baked it for about 45 minutes.

Done!

 

Then I used a few of my carrots to make peas...I just sauteed garlic, onion and the carrots until they were soft, then added the frozen peas and cooked till they were hot.

I love the colors!

Jason is not a fan of peas. He can not eat them without gagging. Think the carrots mixed in would help with his gag reflex when it comes to peas?

And finally, dinner! Quick, easy and very little prep considering all the fresh veggies.

Dinner!

 

I have to say, the potato and squash Au-gratin is one of my new favorites now. That was delish. Thank goodness there are leftovers of it...I think I will find myself enjoying it as a night snack tonight! I'm going to say I even like it better than regular Au-gratin potatoes...and they are one of my faves.

So, cooking and typing has helped to relieve some of my stress. Nice. Also, the thought of my Dad constantly checking facebook everyday to see if it's the day Jason comes home. ha ha! He never gets on there and I can already seeing him getting so frustrated with not knowing! All I will say is, we are close...ha ha...but I did say that in my last blog. It's coming!

Monday I have a hair appt...I need to get rid of these darn blonde highlights. I no longer like blonde. Maybe purple, like in high school. ha!