My Saiders...

I'm missing my Saiders...my guard dog when Tone is gone...my buddy when Darbs is asleep. 



Our first little addition to the family...2007.



Our little beach bum...
Now desert rat

Grandma and Grandpa are taking good care of her in AZ...keeping her from eating rocks, sticks and all that other desert goodness, but nothing beats adventures with her momma and Darbs.  I spoil her rotten...so what?  You know, Sadie can go to the moon... 

See you soon Sadie Baby! 

4 years ago...

Wow, it's been over 4 years since our big move out to PARADISE!  What a blessing it has been to have had the Hawaii experience.  Going through old pictures tonight was somewhat nostalgic?  Bittersweet maybe?  I haven't looked at these for probably 4 years...A LOT has happened since then...

With our departure date quickly approaching I thought it fitting to muse over some of our Hawaii firsts:

Kaneohe Bay Base Housing.  Our temporary home was surrounded by beaches.  This AZ girl never thought a 2 minute walk would EVER get her to the beach.  That was awesome!



The SandBar=Heavenly.  I've probably made it out there 10+ times and still can't get enough.  One of my FAVES!



Our first mainland visitors.  Jordan, Jesse and Jen.  They didn't waste anytime...taking full advantage of the Hawaii Connection...I think our household goods beat them here by a week!  Ha!  Boating out to the Sandbar...

  



The low tide at the bar...when the tide comes in this sandbar/island disappears under about 2 feet  of crystal clear water.

Megan and Felicia...the Salty Wives who showed me the ropes.



Aww...the Sound of FREEDOM.  The CH53D that brought us here:)



Iron Dog...WOOT, WOOT!

http://www.irondograce.org/about/  For those who have no idea what this is.  A grueling 2000 mile snow machine race through the heart, and very COLD (ha) of ALASKA!!! The name speaks for itself.  Those that dare to attempt, train just like one would train for a marathon. I can't imagine the mental and physical aspects involved with such an event!  Negative 40 degrees just doesn't bode well with me:)

NOW...
INTRODUCING...
The Geezernators!

D2

John Glass

(I hope they don't mind me posting their famous head shots...ha)

Joe D'Amico (aka, D2, Papa, Dad) and teammate John Glass - The oldest team to race!  May I add that they're sponsored?  Super cool!  They'll be racing against the likes of Todd Palin and other hardcore dudes and dudettes!
http://www.irondograce.org/race-tracking/2011-pro-class/teams/?team=27

The race begins tomorrow morning and you can follow the Geezernators, team 28, via GPS at the above link.

GO TEAM!!! Show those young speed demons that slow and steady wins the race!  Or in this case, FINISHES!

Happy Day of Love!

It was definitely a Happy Day of Love for me:

1.  I heard from Tony yesterday...Valentines Day in Afghanistan.

2.  I received the best hug ever when I walked in to help decorate sugar cookies with Darby's class. Pink gooey frosting hugs are the best :)

3.  I FINALLY got our plane tickets from DMO...we'll officially be off island in a month...I can take a breath. 

4.  I had dinner, wine and cupcakes with a couple of great military friends whose hubbies are also gone.  I love my military ohana.

5.  I get to sneak into Darby's room one more time before slumber...be still my heart.

And now I'm sitting here watching Bachelor as Brad and the girls frolic in Anguilla - Finding myself making "Tony" comments...Seriously?

Happy Day of Love!


Hey girl hey...excited for school.

 



My Valentines (minus Saiders)



Lt. Dan Band...and Some...



Just a thank you to some great friends for making Friday night so fun!  It was a much needed distraction from the moving "to do" list among other things...

Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band came to K-Bay for the annual free concert. 




I can always count on Roz and Nubia!  They were right there with me crying when the band started playing Lee Greenwood's  "Proud to Be an American."  and Journey's "Don't Stop Believing"...Tone's favorite.  You were definitely in our thoughts Tone! 



AKA "The Bob Hope of today's generation."  Thank you Gary Sinise for caring so much about the troops and their families!

 Now back to Darby...

I was a good mom today...making sure she drank her water at Brady's birthday party...

I was a BAD mom today when I let her dive into the Red Velvet cupcakes and Pizza.  She didn't touch the fruit cup??? That cupcake was AMAZING I must add...

I guess I was a GOOD mom by letting her stay way past "nap" time to play with the bubble machine??? 

I was bad when I bribed Darby with 5 M&M's so she would get in her carseat...

I was bad when I turned on PBS Kids so she would actually be still enough to eat something of nutritional value.

I was a VERY BAD mom when I said "SH%T" over spilled V8...this was the first time she's repeated one of my cuss words.

I was good when I swaddled her "baby" 18 times today.  With her lion blanket.  So that the mane was the "hat".

I was a good mom when I sat down to do "maukers" (markers) with her for 5 minute increments throughout the day.

I was a good mom when I administered her multi vitamin, vitamin D and her Calcium Mag.

The list can go on and on but I won't bore you.  This is my therapy I suppose...

Reminding me that the candy and the lack of schedule is OK, because when I put her to bed at night she knows that I love her to the "stars and back" - Or as Darby says, "jibberish STARS jibberish".  Melts my heart!

Reflections...

Whoa...has it really been 3 months since my last post?  Sometimes life just gets away from you and the time usually spent reflecting and catching a breath (in my case it's the evenings) is instead spent watching "Housewives" or "Jersey Shore" (Tony's fault).  I've probably lost a few brain cells over the past few months, but my excuses may warrant such behavior.

On to other things...

I love her so much.  So much it hurts.  My little blessing.

Goodbye Whitey...

So, we sold my old 1998 Toyota Tacoma on Saturday.  I thought that truck would be with me until death do us part, but life had different plans.  Awww the memories...

As I was cleaning it out look what I came across...Good ol' Rand McNally...Aged maps of the great USofA. Probably circa 2001?  A little brown around the edges.   No GPS back then.  I was starting to feel old, but it doesn't stop there. 

What's this you see?  My old Pioneer CD player.  I actually had to have this installed back in 1998.  It didn't come with one...

OLD!!

Finally...the Darbs saying "cheese" in Momma's old high school ride.  TOTALLY OLD!

She helped me tidy up while grooving to the music.

Goodbye Whitey.  Thanks for being so reliable.  Thanks for keeping me safe.  And thanks for always showing me a good time.  It's bittersweet, but I know Hayden will take good care of you.  Hawaii's your official home now.

Let the Countdown Begin...Again...

Tony left early Sunday morning for Afghanistan...Again.  I may be a "salty" Marine wife now, but deployments sure don't get any easier.  I'm missing my better half tonight as I "reflect" and it sucks!  January was a blur.  We knew we would be busy getting the house ready to rent, but we also hoped to have some last hoorahs here in paradise...together...as a family before he left.  Hit up those few things left on the Hawaii bucket list if you will.  Unfortunately, it just didn't happen that way. 

Life throws you curve balls.  They can disappoint and they can definitely alter your "plan".  You learn, you grow, you count your blessings, and you move forward.

January was rough.  We had a lot going on.  But I can honestly say our marriage is stronger than ever because of it...because of those curve balls?  Would hiking Olomana or kayaking with the whales have had the same effect?

Stay safe HMH 463.

Not the best picture, but Tone just gave Darb's her Godiva Valentine's Teddy. She's sleeping with it as we speak.

 Watching the bus leave the hangar...clutching her new bear!