The Harsh Reality

All I Think About Is You

So it is very obvious that I have not written in my blog for some time now, well I have to be honest, I just have not been up to sharing my feelings with everyone about my husband going overseas. I think most know it is a hard thing to go through, but I could compare that by saying a man knows child birth is hard for his wife... lol... well it is just one of those things that no one truly knows until they are in that position.
In a very strange way the excruciating pain of missing him helps me keep the reality that he has not disappeared, he is just gone for a little while (knock on wood), the pain some how helps me feel like he is still with me... I guess I've replaced my happy marriage with pain. It is a hurt that others can not understand unless they are in my shoes. I feel as though my soul has been ripped from my body and is no longer in my possession... I just hope that it is with him keeping him safe and one day they will both return to me and make me whole again.
My kids are doing well, Liam misses his Papa very much. He gets scared when he sees things on the news related to Afghanistan so I do my best to keep him away from it. Hayden has gotten so big, and I know it is hard on Morgan. He said seeing the pictures of Hayden sitting up and standing are very weird for him to see and I can hear it in his voice that he is sad he is missing seeing all these stages.
One thing I find amazing is how some people act when a soldier goes overseas... some I'm impressed about and others not so much. The thing that I love is what some family and friends have done for Morgan. They have put out boxes at their work to collect stuff to put together care packages for Morgan and the other troops! I think that is so very kind and would like to thank Sara and Krystal for their amazing efforts. The boys are going to be so pleased! The thing that really bothers me is certain people (I'll leave names out) who we never talk to, didn't come to our wedding etc... pretend to give a shit all of a sudden... I appreciate people who actually care, but sometimes I feel they are doing it more for a "I know so and so is overseas, feel sorry for me" like excuses me? Way to take someone's bad situation and try and get fam and glory out of it... It isn't glorious, it is sad! People who use that as a way of trying to gain attention have some serious issues that need to be resolved... yes I have a burr up my ass about that, and I've spoken to Morgan about my feelings on the topic and he agrees...
Anyway, no word from the land of sand today, but I would like to express my condolences to the family of the most recent fallen soldier, Sapper Brian Collier. I thank you for your service to our country and we will NEVER forget!!! Rest In Piece

The Farewell

On June 1st my husband was deployed to Afghanistan for the fourth time. The days leading up to his deployment I didn't really have much to say which is why I haven't posted in a while and to be honest I really don't have much to say right now either. I guess their are no words for the way I feel right now... I just pray to God that my husband will be safe and the days will go by fast for us all. I'll write more when I feel up to it.

I miss you Morgan

In With The New, But I Still Miss You!

It has only been a few days since the unfortunate passing of my beautiful kitty Jack. My heart still breaks every day and night at the reality that he is never going to give me the joy of his presence again, and I am very sure that the pain will continue for a long time to come. My animals are a huge part of world, I like them more than most people I know!!! So losing one isn't as easily shrugged off as it is for some other insensitive people I know. Anyway, so it may be soon but we have already adopted a new cat into our home. The reasoning is very simple, the thought of another cat living in a cage at the Humane Society breaks my heart when I know I have a spot in my home. Jack can never be replaced, nor do I look for a cat to fill his shoes, but I know that Jack being a rescue would not want to see another cat live in a cage when a spot is opened in a loving home.
I feel very strongly about adopting animals from the humane society and rescues rather than supporting pet stores! Seriously, there are SO many animals that need homes! All my animals are rescues, right down to our guinea pig! I know people want certain breeds and colours ect... but that is why you look to the rescues for that breed! I wanted a husky so I got one through the Siberian Rescue and believe me he is everything and more!!! I could not have wished up a better dog! Rescue animals are amazing, they will love you until the end!
Our newest edition is a grey and white adult male cat. He is pretty confident in himself! He walked into our house as if he owned the place, he won't take crap from the other cats or the dog... I think he is going to fit in fine! haha... We are working on a name right now, so far we have Sid the cat... as in Sid the kid. We'll see though, we need to get to know him better before we come to a final decision.
Anyway, I seriously hope that before any of you decide to take on a new pet you will do your research on your local humane society and rescues so that you can possibly adopt from them to give a well deserving animal a second chance and a forever home! And let me stress the forever part!!!! Don't get an animal and decide a year later that you don't want it anymore! I hate people who do that, shame on you! Sorry but animals deserve to be treated better than that, they are not possessions.
I will get a picture up of "Sid" soon! Oh and don't forget that even if you can't adopt due to allergies etc that you can always donate! Thanks and I hope you either have or will one day enjoy the love of a rescued  animal! There is no love greater! : )

There Is One More Angel In Heaven

 I'm very sad to report that around 11:15 this morning my beautiful cat, Jack, was put to sleep forever. He went into heart failure and there was nothing to do but ease his pain.
Jacks age is unknown due to the fact that when I adopted him about 10 years ago he was already an adult and no one know his exact age. The vet guessed he was around the age of 3 at the time of his adoption.
Jack was found at the Humane Society in Bowmanville in a box in the middle of winter. He had frost bite all over his back legs and was very scared. When I adopted him he was at the Pet Smart in Whitby awaiting patiently for a forever home and that is exactly what I gave him. I know I did a good job giving Jack a loving home, plenty of food and all the attention he craved. But Jack gave me so much in return, he loved his people unconditionally, he was just as loyal as a dog and young at heart like a kitten. He taught me responsibility at a young age, and has now taught me how to teach my children about life and death. The vet said to me that the way I explained everything to Liam was beautiful and that we made the right choice.
I'm going to miss you Jack, Mommy loves you!!! Say hi to Lucky for me. I will see you again one day. Thanks for being my kitty XOXOXOXOX

This, That & The Other Thing

Well knock on wood I think we may have come to an agreement! (read my previous post, I don't feel like explaining again lol) All we have to do at this point is to get the papers signed and tada... but nothing is in stone yet so I won't give any details until that point comes... Fingers crossed this will continue in a positive direction.
Anyway, so I found out something rather disturbing, a woman was attacked on south side of the base (where we use to live!) in her home! I guess a guy broke into her home and tried to attack her but she fought him away! How scary!! Here is a link that gives very little details but confirms the rumors to be true, http://myfmradio.ca/1049/wire/news/01012_RAP_BASE_ATTACK1-web_064927.php  My thinking is that since so many of the soldiers have been deployed that these sick men think the women are easy targets! I sure hope the military police step up their search and find this person... and send more cars out for constant patrols and keep up those patrols until the troops are home! My husband and I have already talked about the safety measures we will be taking for whenever he leaves (still no idea, could be any day between now and dec), but I'm not about to give away our plan on the internet! I just can't imagine what that poor girl's husband must be thinking! He is on the other side of the world serving his country and his wife gets attacked in their home... as if military families don't have it hard enough as it is. Well the good news is that she did fight him off! and she is ok!!!
If you look back at my previous posts in regards to the Purina Maxx Scoop, you'll see some pictures on my cats. The big fat one, Jack, isn't doing so well right now, he seems to have gone from aging slowly to an old man over night! It just seems as though a couple of weeks ago he was the same old Jack, and now all of a sudden he is just that, old. He is breathing very heavy at times, no he is not suffering and gasping for air! His fur use to feel like a rabbits and looked beautiful but now it isn't looking so good or feeling that good either. Part of me is wondering if he has had a little stroke or something, I don't know, something is just very off. I have no idea what is going to happen, hopefully he still has some good years left in him as an old man.   

The "Ex" Factor...

So seriously???? Can't anything go right? I mean I try and try and try and try to do my best and make everyone happy to avoid conflict but at what expense??? My sanity?!
Well I don't want to go into details, but I just need to say wow! To make a very long story short I have an ex who is pissed at me for obtaining a lawyer in regards to child's access and transportation. I've gone above and beyond what most people would do to ensure their child has an excellent relationship with their "other" side of the family. It has been 5 years since our previous court order and felt that it was time to amend the old and bring on the new due to the major changes in the child's life. But by the attitude of the "other" side of the family I don't have the right to counsel! You see I got a lawyer since I didn't feel I could communicate properly with my child's "father". His idea of communication is emailing me when it is convenient for him... Anyway the "communication" was getting no where and I felt/feel that it is the only way anything will get resolved in a reasonable and civil manner.
I have a pretty good idea what the underlining issues are and they have nothing to do with the child's best interest. It is pretty sad when people can't get over their resentments and move forward in their lives. Exactly why I need a lawyer... I'm not dealing with other people's hate and anger.
What I find most, well, retarded, is that the letter my lawyer sent was very nice and encouraged that we work together and aim not to go to court and it is being made out to be as if I'm trying to screw the other side over! This is insane! I want help with transportation and a new schedule, I don't give a flying rats ass about money! I care about my child and what is best for him,,, not what is best for his father!
I have done all the driving for the past 2 years and I have never heard 1 thank you or anything from anyone in his side of the family. It is all "you moved there why should I have to pay for it", well to be very honest their is nothing in the court order saying I have to do all the driving and their is nothing saying I can't move! I am still in the same province and have been very encouraging towards the relationship between child and the so called "father".
I guess I am so upset because I know I have done more than anyone else I know in respects to respect the relationship between my child and his father and his side of the family and it got me where? Used and disrespected!  I've never heard ONE thank you or any offer of help... I send report cards, pictures, updates on general information etc... and for what? nothing but B.S.... why am I expected to do all of this? Nothing says I have to... I guess it was my own stupidity and ignorance that made me think that maybe being nice would make things easier and get me ahead... HAHAHA... right!  It got me nowhere! I know I have gone above and beyond... I guess it is "their" turn to get off their asses and start doing some work...
You see the sad difference between me and "them" is that I have done everything I have for my child... Yet everything "they" do is due to "their" anger at me... They want to punish me... and part of that punishment is that "they" feel since I moved I should have to do ALL the driving... I just don't see how we are going to settle outside of court on this issue, there is so much more to it involving support and custody. At least at the end of it all I know I've been looking at my child's best interest, not revenge! This isn't about money for me... I don't care about money I care about my child. This is the problem with law... People become so unreasonable and look for punishment where it is not reasonable to give. No law can make another person like, love, or even tolerate another person! Get over it! Like everyone else I have to go to bed at night with the decisions I have made in my life and I would just like to say that I sleep like a baby with no regrets!

What Now?

The last four days I've been breaking out in Hives and it is driving me crazy! Lately it always seems to be something with me, I feel like I can't catch a break and it is becoming a little depressing. In the last four months I've had what was possibly the H1N1 virus which led to an extremely bad case of bronchitis that I'm still not 100% over with (insane I know), I'm just getting over a sinus infection and have something torn in my neck! I hate to complain but I just need a few moments to vent.
Tonight I did a bunch of reading on the internet and read many different things on Hives and tried to pin point where mine are coming from, all I have to say is HA! lol... that is because I can pin point more than one thing lol. I could be getting hives from a viral infecting, the antibiotics I've been on, the pain meds I've been on, allergies or some people get them just because!
When I was a kid I was in a rare group of people who got hives from cold. I had to take a few different medications and wasn't allowed to be outside unless I was walking to the car and back. I don't recall much of it now but I think there was some concern with potential blocking of my airways. It only lasted one winter and hasn't shown back up since. I just hope that this isn't going to be one of those weird things again and goes away now that I have stopped taking the medications!
I have also heard that this year is going to be a very bad year for people with allergies so maybe it is a reaction to something. That would make sense too since all the plants are starting to grow. My son had his friend come over after school for a sleep over but I had to call his Mom to come and pick him up about half an hour ago because he couldn't breathe because his allergies were sooo bad! Poor Liam was so upset that his friend had to leave but Cole's Mom couldn't get him any meds due to all the drama going on with the pharmacies. His allergies were that bad, I feel so bad for the little guy, he was crying (I think he felt a little panicked).
Anyway, so I'm sure by now you can see why it would be hard for me to pin point what is causing it,,, if anything is even causing it according to some of my reading. All I can do at this point is wait 3 days and if I'm still getting them I know it wasn't the meds. Other than that I am just going to have to take my Benadryl and pray that this goes away in a few days... hopefully not weeks! I just hope more than anything that I don't have another funky allergy like I did with the cold that one winter and I hope it isn't chronic hives (lasting longer than 6 weeks). Anyone else deal with something like this? Let me know, and let me know how you coped.
Cheers all : ) 

Purina Maxx Scoop Small Spaces = Success!

For the past week I have given up my old kitty litter ways and have been trying something new! I am using Purina Maxx Scoop Small Spaces. Matchstick has given me the opportunity to participate in a word of mouth marketing program. I have been reviewing Purina Maxx Scoop Small Spaces cat litter for the past week which I got through Matchstick for free along with some other great products for cat owners! I just want to be transparent and let you all know that in no way is my judgment being affected and that I will only provide my personal opinion and honest review.

In my cat kit I was sent: 1 Cozy Corner Cat Litter Box, 1 Purr-fect Paws Litter Mat, 1 Rubbermaid Litter Caddy and Scoop, 3 Purina cat treats and 5 Full value coupons for Purina Maxx Scoop that I can share with other women who have cats and live in small spaces like I do! I have given out several of the full value coupons to other women and am looking forward to hearing about their experiences with this product as well. 

I think the most noticeable thing about the Maxx Scoop Small Spaces is the missing cat litter box odor in the air! I have 3 cats in my home but you wouldn't know it now, before it was the first thing you could smell when you walked in the door (not very pleasant). I always had to be so on top of cleaning out the litter box, you never wanted to miss a day. We were just gone for a few nights this past weekend and the Maxx Scoop did a fantastic job of keeping the odor of the litter box down while we were away! 

Another great thing about the litter is that it doesn't stick as much to the sides of the box as the other brands do. My husband is the one who first pointed that out to me! I have to admit that before I tried it I was a bit skeptical about it being 99 % dust free, so it was a nice surprise that I when I first used it I wasn't inhaling dust! 

One concern I had that others might have as well was the concern that my cats may not take to the change so well. So far I don't think my cats have expressed a problem, they all seem to be going about their normal business. I'm sure that they appreciate the fact that they aren't inhaling much dust at all anymore and that this formula of cat litter has odor control. Sometimes we forget that our pets can smell too... 
Don't forget to go to www.trymaxxscoop.ca for your chance at a free full value coupon for this great product!

To Be?

So we get a phone call last Thursday telling us that Morgan is still on tour and that they would call us on Tuesday to fill us in with further details. Well it is now Wednesday evening and we still haven't heard a thing? Talk about leaving a family hanging! Like come on, it isn't exactly a nice thing to do, toy with the emotions of a family. I guess the best thing to do at this point is to prepare as if he is leaving and if he doesn't, well that is great! I guess I've been preparing myself for this for months, I'm not naive enough to believe what the military says until it happens, lol.
What many people don't understand is that it isn't like a normal job. Things change on a moments notice and a soldier is expected to be prepared for it... and if that soldier has decided to take on the responsibility of a family then he/she needs to make sure his family understands the way things work. I hear so many stories of wives and parents etc... giving the soldier a hard time for having to go as if he has control over the situation. I certainly understand people's frustrations, obviously we love our family member who is in the forces but I don't think it is fair to take out those frustrations on that person. It is a flow of emotions and making a soldier feel guilty or giving guilt trips for doing their job just disgusts me.
I just wish that everyone really could really understand how important it is to support our troops. I'm not just talking about families of the troops but the public as a whole. I don't care if you support the mission or not, just support our soldiers... and their families! I personally don't feel that the public really knows what it is like for a family... the anxiety and stress and the life style change. Think about it for a second... When my husband is gone it is going to be just me with 2 kids, 1 dog, 3 cats, a house to clean and a property to maintain along with EVERYTHING else... and no family living within hours of me! I know some people up here but not many, it is a little scary to be completely honest. Sure I have family who say if I need anything they will help and are supportive and so on, but what are they going to do from hours away? I totally get that people can't drop their lives on a dime because I'm having a bad day and need time to myself, or maybe I get sick and want to spend the day in bed. In a way it will be like being a single mom but I'm just going to be isolated from everyone. My only hope is that this will make me stronger and will also make my marriage even stronger, though sometimes I wonder if that is possible because it is so strong already!
To all of our troops who have started their journey to Afghanistan, have a safe trip! We look forward to having you walk on Canadian soil again soon!

Maxx Scoop Small Spaces

I've been given another really cool opportunity from Matchstick to participate in a word of mouth marketing program! And am 1 in 25 women in Canada who got to receive this great, free, Purina Maxx Scroop Kit which included: 1 Cozy Corner Cat Litter Box, 1 Purr-fect Paws Litter Mat, 1 Rubbermaid Litter Caddy and Scoop, 3 Purina cat treats and 5 Full value coupons for Purina Maxx Scoop that I can share with other women who have cats and live in small spaces like I do!
Right away when I saw the Cozy Corner Litter  Box I loved it! It has a very nice appearance to it and the fact that it fits into the corner is great since it takes up space but is still large enough for my big fat 16 pound cat Jack!

Today I picked up the Purina Maxx Scoop for Small Spaces kitty litter for the very first time ever. I am looking forward to trying it and seeing all of my cats (3 of them) reactions to it. I love that the Maxx Scoop Small Spaces is 99% dust free! I absolutely hate cleaning the litter and getting dust in my eyes! I am very anxious to see for myself that those days are gone! Plus who really enjoys the dust that the cats create on their own when they use the litter box? I sure don't. Well I guess seeing is believing so I look forward to getting back to you all in a few days to let you all know about my experience with this product and I am looking forward to it being a positive one!

I will be getting a few other people to try the Maxx Scoop Small Spaces with me and am looking forward to their feedback on this as well. I encourage others to try this on their own and comment on here to let us all know their experience as well! You can go to www.trymaxxscoop.ca for your chance at a free full value coupon for this product!!! Thanks everyone!

Ouch!

So for the past 10 days (give or take) my neck has been so very sore! It feels like someone punched me in the left side of my neck and I can't move my head properly : ( I have no clue how or why this has started but it is pretty bad at this point, it feels like it is running my life now. I'm scared to move in certain ways, can't sleep the way I would like to or even bend over and pick up my baby.
I've tried everything, hot and cold on the spot, muscle relaxers, advil, hot bath/shower, massage, adjustment to the back and neck. Anyone else got any ideas? Whatever is pinched isn't letting up!
Tonight I woke up in bad pain so instead of going to the walk in clinic, where they can't give you anything or really do anything for you anyway, I went to the hospital. The Dr. there said by my symptoms (the pain, the location, the cold and numb feeling) would suggest to her that something is pinched and she tried to explain to me what probably happened. She seemed to know what she was talking about. She didn't think it was likely that a disc had slipped or anything but did say if in 5 more days I have no relief from the meds she gave me than to go in during the day and get xrays. Ugh... that means waiting!!! I hate going into the hospitals during the day, it takes forever!!! Oh well if that is what I need to do than I will since I want this to stop. I've pulled things in my neck before, but nothing has ever lasted this long. I should have asked the Dr. if maybe I am lacking something in my diet that could cause something like this to linger... potassium maybe? Maybe I should stock up on bananas? Couldn't hurt to give it a try I suppose! Something for me to google in the morning... well it is morning but the meds are kicking in and I'm going to be out soon. So on that note I'll keep you posted. Chow :)

To Be Or Not To Be... That Is Still The Question

Tour... I'm sure some people are still wondering... Well so am I. My husband goes back into work on Monday so we hope to find something out then. At this point I don't have a clue what the military has planned for him. He may be put into the 10 percent pool which means that he would be "on call" if they needed someone to up and go overseas in a moments notice or maybe he will still be going in May (which we haven't heard anything so it doesn't seem too likely right now but I guess with the military you never know) or maybe nothing?
I've asked my husband how he feels about this... not what he thinks other people think he should feel but what he feels (I find he needs to separate the two sometimes since he always seems to be too considerate of other people's feelings rather than actually saying what he feels). Of course like I knew part of him wants to go, he wants to be there... He is a soldier through and through. On the other hand he is a Daddy and that is the most important thing in the world to him. Missing time with your baby is something that money just can't buy and it isn't like he hasn't done his time there... 3 tours and all. But there is always that big part of him that feels he needs to be there, to help his "brothers" out. He does not like the idea of staying behind but he also doesn't like the idea of leaving us behind. I guess that is a lose-lose battle for him... and for me.
Of course I want my husband to be home with me and the kids but I could never make the choice for him. He needs to figure out what he needs to do... either way I'll be here... probably planning more things for him to renovate lol. But it is not a choice I feel is in my power or should be in my power. Sure I give an opinion... a positive and negative to each side to be fair. I guess my way of thinking is that whatever choice he makes I don't want him being able to blame me for making the choice for him if it was a wrong one.
Well maybe Monday will tell a story of what is to come... Whatever happens my support is where it belongs.

Almost There!!!

After almost two months of being showerless I finally had a shower tonight! Not to say I didn't have a bath during that time period, but being without a shower is a lot harder than I thought! The bathroom is almost done, we are inches away from the final touches... I almost think I am dreaming this up!
The final things we have to do are: the grout on the floor, baseboards, install the sink, and decorate! This should all be a horrible memory by Friday lol. Well the nightmare isn't over yet... There is still the matter of the hardwood floors... ugh! But that should move along much faster than the bathroom did. Morgan is getting a couple of his buddies to lend a hand, one who just recently did his entire house so really knows his stuff! I'll be buying them lots of beer and food to make sure the job gets done.

Well there is my update! Enjoy the before and almost done pictures! Isn't the old bathroom awful?! LOL

Stop Being So Sensitive Over Sensitivity!

Are you one of those people who feels like everything bothers you and you swear up and down that you aren't trying to be picky, it is just that you are sensitive to so many different things? It can really become overwhelming and almost demoralizing. Sometimes it feels like every product out there is made for "normal" people. Well the good thing about living in the year of 2010 is that "normal" almost doesn't exist anymore, so we "sensitive" people are finally getting the help we need to live "normal" lives!
I had the opportunity to review Crest and Oral-B products through MS&L (for free!) and to be transparent, my sister works at MS&L but please know that this in no way affects my personal opinion and honest review. I can't wait to tell you about my great experience with these great products!
In my package I received a tube of Crest Pro-Health tooth paste witch has a sensitive shield! It also protects against cavities, gingivitis, plaque tartar while it whitens and freshens your breath! Now I don't know about you but I usually never like the texture of the sensitivity tooth pastes (I guess you could say I'm sensitive to texture too lol) but the Crest Pro-Health feels nice and smooth and is easy to brush on and rinse off.
I tend to have really sensitive teeth, from hot and cold, and from what I hear that can happen while you are pregnant. Well I just had a baby less than five months ago and it hasn't seemed to go away yet... until now! This tooth paste has brought me back to where I was before my pregnancy. My husband has been using it along with me and he doesn't have very sensitive teeth. He usually hates the sensitive tooth pastes that I buy and will go out and buy his own but he has been using this with me for the past couple of weeks and said he has no problem sharing this kind of tooth paste with me. So it doesn't matter what your teeth type are, anyone can use it and enjoy it.
The next most important part of cleaning your teeth is cleaning them with the right tooth brush. I've tried other electric tooth brushes before and it felt like my brain was going to vibrate out of my head, but the Oral B Vitality Sensitive Clean does not have the over the top vibration that feels like you are brushing your teeth on a washing machine. The extra soft bristles are gentle on the gums and still removes plaque and gives your teeth a great cleaning, like you just left the dentist chair! I love going to the dentist so I love having that feeling every day.
The thing I have always despised the most was flossing my teeth!!! My gums are so sensitive that just even thinking about it makes them want to bleed. With the Crest Glide Pro-Health for sensitive gums it makes that horrible little job not such a big deal anymore. It slides through my teeth easily and my teeth are very close together. The texture of the floss feels nice and smooth, not like string which I have noticed with some other brands! 
I guess the lesson here is that even with all of our sensitivity needs we can still be "normal" eat what we like and not have to worry about the effect it might have. We can accomplish healthy teeth and gums just as easily as anyone else can by using these products as directed and seeing your dentist on a regular basis. Having a healthy smile has never been so easy... Especially for us sensitive people!

Can't Move

You gotta love a really good night's sleep, waking up and having one of those big stretches that feel great and then --------- OUCH! I pulled something in my neck, how freakin convenient, I can't move! Seriously, not a good thing with all that we have going on. My poor husband is trying to renovate and take care of the baby this morning while waiting for the building inspector to come and look at our plumbing. I feel so bad but I can't move and wow does it hurt!!!
I guess the only good thing about this is that I won't have to feel guilty today about staying in bed reading the last of the Twilight saga lol. Those books are seriously addicting, however, they don't beat out my love for the Harry Potter series.
So the renovations are still going... after the inspection today we can call and have the contractor come in to do our dry walling, that is as long as we pass our inspection... we passed our electrical already though! So once that is done we can really start pulling the pieces of the bathroom together. I'm getting pretty excited to see the end result, and I really hope I don't decide I hate something that I picked since there is no way we are changing anything at this point! Oh the joys of turning a house upside down!!! lol... well it isn't over yet... still have the hardwood flooring to install through out the livingroom, hallway and master bedroom. How am I not bald from stress? lol...
Well this is becoming more painful for me the longer I try and type, so bye! lol

Back Order!!!

Why is it everything we want for our bathroom is on back order? I can't even get the mirror that I want until the end of March! It seems a little retarded to me. One friend wrote me today and said "It's a dirty move, but some companies reduce inventory levels to up sell on-hand stock. Hopefully you two didn't get put in that position".
It seems like back ordering is everywhere I look now though, we went to inquire about a bedroom set and we are looking into the middle of April before they will have any in. So what's the deal? Why offer products if it takes so long to get them to the customer. I can understand that some things take a week or two but I've been waiting 6 weeks for my bathroom sink and I still don't have it. I have looked other places to see if I can find something else that I like but no luck. We also don't have many stores up here to choose from and we don't exactly feel like finding a way to get something else from a further location all the way up here. Oh the joys!!!
I just hope the kitchen goes much smoother for the ordering process... but we won't be doing that for a while. Next on the list is the flooring in the master bedroom, hallway and living room... Still have yet to pick something out but I do know there is a big sale coming up for flooring at home depot 15% off... maybe I'll find my bathroom floor as well? 

Reno Hell

So the bathroom is on its way, finally! It was been gutted and new sub floor is down. We've (of should I say my husband with help from my dad) put in the new toilet and got the new tub into place. So much work is ahead it is making my head spin! I seriously hate the dust flying around the house, it is giving me a bit of an anxiety attack!!! I know this is only the start to it too since the new dry wall isn't even up yet... lets just hope my husband does a better job of confining the bathroom when he is sanding than he did with the kitchen lol.
The good thing is at least we can have a bath in the tub, no shower yet... that is still days away. I need to start looking into tile for my floor and pick out the baseboards as well. No rush I know that! My poor husband is working his heart out but things are still coming very slowly. I was pretty excited yesterday when our sink went on sale for $100 cheaper! It should be here next week...
I am so excited to see the end result, but seriously not loving the war zone going on inside the house. It is a good thing the baby still isn't walking or that would be a big addition to the stress. Liam is loving helping with whatever he can get his hands on but still wants Morgan to spend all his time taking shots on him in net lol.
Well I guess I shouldn't complain too much, the worst is over... by that I mean by getting all the old bathroom out... that is a dirty job! and believe me I'm not going to miss anything about that old bathroom... seriously a pink toilet? Shouldn't there be laws against that? lol

Husky = Hair and lots of it!

Here we are the middle of February and my husky has decided to blow his coat! It isn't spring yet!!! Grrr... People who don't have a northern bread dog seriously have no idea to the amounts of hair that is shed. I pulled out enough hair out of my dogs back leg to build a golden retriever! I wish I was exaggerating but sadly it is the truth... and the truth is a rough thing to deal with when I had to groom him inside my house and get fur all over the place... and all over myself. I'm scared if I venture outside looking like this the SPCA will pick me up as a stray! haha...
Dealing with the hair is a hard thing but dealing with my dogs insane behavior while he gets groomed is a whole other thing. He goes mental... and I mean mental! He is usually the sweetest, funniest, kind hearted dog but when he sees the brush he turns into a vicious wolf!!! It takes minimum two people to brush him and the person at his head needs a pair of thick gloves on to hold down the beast! lol. I can understand why he hates it so much, it is simple, his last owner was abusive to him. When we adopted him from the rescue his hair was totally shaved off of his body! Umm are we retarded? You NEVER shave a husky! They can control their body temperatures, it is a very uncommon gift that they have and other K9s don't!
I know some people are of the opinion that dogs don't hold grudges but I'm going to have to disagree on that one. Dogs are not stupid and they remember past traumas.
Just one last quick note to people who read this, please support your local rescues/humane society/SPCA... and when you get a pet make sure it is a forever home... don't take on the responsibility if you can't handle it. No matter if it is a cat, dog or anything, animals deserve respect and love and nothing but!!!  
 

Cabin Fever!... Crazy Going, Slowly Am I?

I am really starting to feel the craziness set in! I am so not a winter person and am seriously sick of this cold weather that you can't do a thing in. The spring weather better not take its sweet ass time getting here this year and we better actually have HOT summer weather this year or I'm moving to Miami! Last summer's weather was tedious but with dealing with this cold the crappy summer weather of 2009 is very welcomed at this point!
So just over a month ago we bought new snow tires for our car (which it was in desperate need of), well Sunday afternoon it was pointed out to us by a friend who stopped by that our left passenger tire was totally flat! We took a look, pumped it full of air and believe me the air was coming out as fast as we were putting it in... well almost! So the boys got the spare tire on and Monday morning we got the flat tire to the place we bought it to see what was going on. It turns out that a nail did the damage and it was so bad that the tire was garbage! Like where do these nails come from? So anyway, we bought a new tire and when we went to put it on the key for the rims was lost! Still don't have a clue where it went, but oh well. My husband had to take the car to the dealership to get all the locks off the rims, new ones put on and a new key or else we weren't getting the new tire put on. Luckily the dealership was kind and didn't charge us for the parts!
I'd just like to ask people out there to please be careful with your nails, some of us can't afford to be putting tires on our cars every month! But seriously, how do the nails get on the road??? Anyone have any thoughts?  Anyone???

Happy Birthday Liam!

Today we had Liam's birthday party for him at Boston Pizza in town here and boy am I glad that is over with! I've been worrying about it all week... think about it, 6 kids in a restaurant plus two babies... and then my husband and his friends! Oh geezeeeeee! lol. So for some strange reason that I don't think I will ever fully understand my husband decided to buy a whoopie cushion for the kids to play with... why? Is he nuts? After about 10 minutes of it I had to be the bad guy and take it away, it was starting to drive me mental! The kids weren't too bad but I did have to keep reminding them they needed to stay in their seats and not run around the restaurant... fat chance of them listening to me eh lol. According to our lovely waitress they were very well behaved and she has seen and dealt with much much worse, so I guess that is good to hear : )
So for the party we bought these spider man masks for the kids to wear, well they were a big hit for Morgan and his friends! They all decided that while we were all driving back to our house that they would wear the masks... and they did. You wouldn't believe the looks we got as we were driving through town... 3 cars in a row with people wearing spider man masks lol good times!
Overall the day turned out to be really fun, not only for Liam (who got spoiled with all kinds of presents!) but for us big kids. It isn't often we all get together anymore to hang out and have some good laughs. We are planning for a round 2 in a couple of weeks... but this will include the 6 of us cooking dinner together haha, should prove to be interesting!

Cry Baby - Hockey Dreams

So my happiest little baby in the world has been full of whining and crying the past two days. He usually is the most content little guy ever but wow has he ever had a serious flip! I'm pretty sure he is starting to get a tooth in and trying to get him to chew on a teething ring is next to impossible. If he keeps this up I may have to pick up some anbesol to rub on to help minimize the pain... and for those of you who recommend whiskey no thanks! lol
My oldest boy is turning 7 and wow does he have a pretty awesome birthday gift on his way from my family! Everyone chipped in to buy his goalie equipment! This is coming at a perfect time since last night Liam spent the evening in the basement sitting in his team Canada goalie net making goalie pads out of cardboard and tape! lol, it was the cutest thing ever! I can not believe how committed he is to this whole hockey/goalie thing! He comes home from hockey practice and goes right to the basement to practice some more, he is so full of dreams I just hope that we can do all we can to help make them come true! This summer we are going to enroll Liam into a goalie camp and he will be doing speed skating as well... and no it is not too much for him to handle... it will be too much for me to handle! lol

Having One of Those Days... ERR

So seriously, why am I still sick!!! Like what is the deal with that? I'm not sure what is worse being sick or the side effects from the medications! The one medication has a side effect of giving the shakes, it feels like I am driving down a rocky road or something or always sitting in a vibrating chair lol.
On top of being sick I am just so flippin sick of winter! I know we live in Canada but seriously you think the government could pay for us to take a vacation to the Dominican Republic at least every other year! I seriously don't think that is too much to ask, especially for us military families! I don't think winter has ever driven me this crazy, it probably has something to do with living in an area that has some serious problems with entertainment for the public! There really isn't much to do, I mean you can only go to Walmart so many times in a week lol.
I guess I wouldn't feel this crazy right now if we had our home renovations on the go but they are on hold for another week and I can not wait! As requested by a certain MIL I will post some before and after pictures. I hope everyone gets a kick out of the seriously awful looking bathroom that we have been living with for the past 6 months!

Got him back... for now!

Well Morgan didn't end up spending the full two months in California since I called base and told them to send him home! Having this so called "cold" has been dragging me down like no tomorrow! I've been fighting it since early December and am still having problems breathing etc... Basically having to take care of the kids, animals the house and having to take my oldest to hockey, taekwondo, do all the shopping blah blah blah was really bringing me down physically and mentally. Having Morgan back has not only been a big big help but it is just so nice that he doesn't have to miss out on seeing the baby grow!
So now Morgan is taking two months of parental leave so he can be home with me helping to take care of the house... and renovate my bathroom!!! Yippie! I will not be sad to see the pink toilet/tub and sink go! Seriously that is the colour! EWWW... and the disgusting brown floor that can't get clean no matter how many times you try! At this point we have almost everything we need to get started, we got the new tub and toilet, the sink has been ordered and the tiles will be here on Friday! I still need to pick out the flooring tiles but there is still time for me to look for that this weekend.
I hope these renovations go smooth and we get no more crazy surprises in this house! I'll be sure to get off my butt and be writing to give a play by play on the progress being made! Wish us luck!

I'm Back & Bummed Out

Haven't written in a while due to sickness (bad cold) and craziness over the holidays. Now the craziness has slowed right down, and my reality is too real for me right now. My husband left for California two nights ago for his workup training for Afghanistan. He will not be home until the end of February sometime, still waiting on an exact date. I hate that I don't know when to expect him and I hate that the military thinks it is ok to do that to the families. My son has a birthday coming up and I would like to post pone his party until Morgan gets home but I can't really set anything up until I know when that is going to be. The joys...
When Morgan went away for two months in the summer I really didn't take it as hard as I am taking it now. I'm not really sure why that is considering I was pregnant then and you would think I would have been more emotional. Watching Morgan say goodbye to the kids broke my heart. Liam made him a picture that said "I Miss You" and "I Love You" and drew a picture of all of us together, Morgan is carrying the picture in his attack vest along with a pair of the baby's socks, a note from me a picture of the family.
While we were out shopping before Morgan left we decided to get something for the baby to help him remember his Daddy while he is away. We bought him a little baby einstein photo album, it is also a teether. I filled it with pictures of Morgan (it holds 6 pictures) and I plan on taking it everywhere the baby goes! The baby is still pretty young but by the time his Daddy is in Afghanistan the baby will be able to pick the album up on his own. I've also been using one of Morgans shirts as a blanket for the baby, it probably comforts me more than the baby at this point but oh well. I guess I need to do what I can to help me stay sane.