Announcing our BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

Well, I guess its time to finally share our news. I actually wasn't planning on saying anything until we had firmer information. However, with the given situation its time to start spreading the news.

When Troy came back from Iraq our original plan was to move to Yucca Valley, California (where he grew up) because he had some connections there for jobs. Well, thats out the window with the way the economy is in California and with a hiring freeze.

There is no way I could go back to Idaho. We both agree on that.

As we have discussed possible places to go some interesting things happened for us here in New Mexico. Never in my wildest dreams would I believe we would end up here. With out boring you with details we have decided to stay here. We have some great job connections here and we are forming some great friendships too.

So with the decision made we decided we needed to look at housing options. We were pre-approved for a house loan so we decided to look at a house! We looked at several houses and found a house that met our needs and was "perfect."

See..... Look at this view!

It is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath, 1425 sq ft., nice back yard fully landscaped, nice vaulted ceilings, and just a few other "perfect" things that we were looking for in a home. Oh and its a short sale. Which a short sale does NOT mean it takes a short time... But hey we have time on our hands.

So we put a bid in on the house and were told to wait... We probably wouldn't hear anything for 2 months. Well, we heard something within a few short weeks. We had some more paper work and things and it all looked like things were falling perfectly into place.

***Let me add something here.... The subdivision this home is in has had some MAJOR problems with homes sinking. LIKE MAJOR. Well we drove around and looked at the homes in the area and none of them appeared to have problems. We did a bit of research and from our understanding this home was in the newer subdivision that fixed the problems.****

So my Dad was talking to one of his friends who is an attorney who is representing some of these homes who are suing the builder and such. He sat us down this weekend and showed us a few things that we needed to watch for and other information about the problems.

So Monday Dad and I went over to the house to look for some of these problems and talk to neighbors. Well, the house looks fine and dandy... What doesn't is 3 homes down. Its like something out a scary movie.

SO... Like how I have started every little paragraph as SO. I am now contacting our realtor to see how the back the heck outta the deal. I am pretty devastated about it. It was the perfect home, on the perfect street, with the perfect back yard and neighbors and a FANTASTIC PRICE.... But would you ever get into a home that 3 homes down is falling apart?

See this cute little kitchen?

So goodbye dream for now.... Hopefully we will visit you again soon.

Happy Memorial Day!

***** I need to amend this last post. Because I need to recognize a dear friend of mine who has literally saved me during this deployment. She is away from her husband too and has 2 little boys. She is living with mama and papa too. We text each other every day and its so nice to have somebody who knows what I am going through. She makes me laugh and smile which I need. I find myself sometimes wandering down the road of sadness and worry and a text from her will jolt me back to reality. I would never be able to make it through this deployment with out my dear FRIEND KRISTINA! Love ya girl thanks for being there for me!

So I got the sweetest text I think I have ever received (outside of texts from Troy) the other day from a dear friend. We have been friends since we were roomies back in 2004. She amazes me by her strength and ability to lead. I look up to her in so many ways and so I guess that is why this text I will cherish forever. She has texted me often through this deployment another one was on Thanksgiving Day. What a gem of a friend... Thank you LaNelle for being dear to my heart this deployment. In the midst of the many things you have going on in your life you have always remembered me! THANK YOU!

Anyway, I guess I should say I have received several other emails and such that have touched my heart too. It makes life bearable with my best friend gone. So thank you to ALL those who have left comments on my blog, who have sent me a note in the mail (JJ I LOVE YOU GIRL), an email, a message on facebook or a phone call. Those little things have truly helped me get through the rough patches.

Happy Memorial Day to you all. I am sure most of you have lost somebody near and dear to your heart. So take a few moments this weekend to remember them. I know I have a few on my list.

Race Day

Well I have more catching up to do about the last few weeks but I have share about my race today before it is out of my memory!

As you know I have been off the running list for months now. I slowly eased myself back in and had a new running partner, my son! Well, then I got sick. Like super sick. Like the past 2 weeks horrible feel like dying sick. So needless to say I was pretty nervous about my run. But I knew I had to run this race. It was the wounded warrior race, and all the registration money would go to the wounded warrior project. (which by the way they raised over $10,000 today!) So I signed myself up and Hinckley for the kidsK.

I picked up our race bibs right after I went to urgent care on Friday. Yes that is 3 trips to urgent care in about 10 days. I caved in and went to the doctor after 2 weeks of being sick. They had a video playing of why they were doing the race and I was overwhelmed with humility. To watch these young men and women putting on their prosthetic legs, arms and hands, watching them use their seeing eye dogs, talking about "that day" was so emotional for me. So yes I shed a few tears standing there next to the race coordinators but really who can blame me?

Okay so I woke up this morning refreshed but nervous. I put my running clothes on (always empowering) tried to eat a banana that was greener then the boogers I was blowing out of my nose. Okay that was gross sorry, but so was the banana! I downed 10 oz. of water and my zpack pill and headed to the course. I got my chip (nice little timer thing) on my shoe and warmed up a bit. I started noticing people around me... Okay if you dont know me I am like SUPER competitive... Like sometimes its a very BAD THING. I started sizing people up and thinking oh I am so gonna kick your trash in this race, BAD I KNOW! Then it hit me BAM. BAM. BAM. This nice little song was playing in the speakers, "American Soldier" and "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue"... I stopped... I almost lost composure and realized I was not focusing on what was really important. I was there not for me but hundreds of men and women fighting for their life at Walter Reed and hospitals across the world. So before the race even started I was in tears, thank goodness for SUNGLASSES!

Before the race!Me stretching... LOL I wore my same shirt from last race. A lot of people on the course and after came up to talk to me. One lady said she paced herself by following me. I laughed so hard I asked her if she didn't mind the slow dragging my feet walking and then my sudden bursts of energy. She laughed and said she knew if she just stayed pretty close behind me she would finish the race. I thought that was a nice compliment.

The line of people waiting for the race to startMe taking off before my burst of wowzerness

So we lined up and off went the timer. I took off. Like zoom in the front of the pack. It was like this unbelievable rush of adrenaline. About a half a mile into it I realized I started way to fast (I know Amy you totally warned me for my other race) and with the mix of emotion I spaced it. Just as I was about to walk I looked up and saw 2 of my girls standing on the race sidelines. GO SISTER CARTER GO! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! MY GIRLS CAME FOR ME! Sudden burst of energy and of course I wanted to show off a bit and was like a canon shooting off. Then about a mile into I thought I was going to die. Like seriously I took off way to fast and just as I was going to slow down WHABAM off again. Then this song on my ipod came on and my thoughts turned to my sweet husband. Tears filled my eyes yes again. I slowed down. Like almost to a slow walk and let tears run down my face a bit. About 1.5 miles in I saw my girls again and off I went. It was the crazy battle in my head, heart and legs. I would burst off running then go to this slow walk. I hate walking on a run. Whats the point of a race if you are walking but I had to. My body couldn't run any more. I got to see my girls at about mile 2.5 and of course at the end. The last .5 miles I ran my guts out. Like ran, and prayed, and prayed, and prayed oh and yes you guessed it cried. I finished about 3 minutes after my last race. But thats okay. I finished the race and I wasn't last (okay I had to say that, see my competitive nature).

This was after the race

After I finished I felt sick. Like oh so sick. I didn't know if I could walk. My head was spinning, I wanted to barf and hibernate on this nice looking rock on the side of the road. I drank like 2 bottles of water, ate a piece of cinnamon roll and fruit. I started to feel a bit better. The kids race started about 25 mintues after I finished my race. There was no way I could run with Hinks so Grandpa ran with him. It was so awesome to see him running! He got a medal too.

Waiting for the fire to go off. By the way the timer that says 1:27:38 was from the 10K
He jumped out ahead then slowed down a bit
Off he goes
Almost finished...You can barely spot him
Can you see him ahead of Grandpa in the white hat?
I LOVE THIS PICTURE!
He got a sudden burst of energy at the end
Can you see him getting his medal?
After the race
See his cool medal

After all the races were over there was lots of talk with soldiers and stuff and again the tears came down my face. This race was so emotional for me something I didn't expect. But it was fantastic. Like probably one of the most memorable races I will ever run.

So next time I haven't run in like oh lets see months and I have been sick for 2 weeks I will convince myself to just walk the whole thing. If I go into it knowing that is the goal I will do it.... well maybe if I can get pass MS. COMPETITIVE nature. See my girls came to see me on the right! The kids all lined up.After Hinckleys race and mine

Chandler wanted in on the picture
Chandler LOVES flags
He wanted to play with them

Gold belt test

Here are a few pictures from his belt test. I think I was pretty talented because I video taped and took pictures and tried to keep a 19 month old quiet all by myself!

Karate Belt test

This is Hinckleys karate belt test. He got a bit distracted by all the people in the audience. But he did great!

Chandler is growing up

My boys really are the love of my life. I love them with all my heart. They all 3 crack me up everyday. Here are a few pictures as of late of 2 of my silly boys.

He found some of Hinckleys underwear and thought it would be fun to put it on his head!

Yes I have to put a onesie on him because he will take off his diaper!
Hi Mom!
These are Hinckleys favorite little firemen
Chandler wanted to help me vacuum so he moved all the toys over so he could vacuum.
See I put my kids to work you betcha!
job well done
Then he put the toys back

Tender Moments

So Hinckley had a belt test last week for karate and I decided it was time to upload the video from it. But I got a bit of a surprise with some pictures I took with the video camera. They brought tears to my eyes. Okay I had a full on melt down for about 3 minutes (its been a while since I have done that) It felt good. I think I needed it. Here are the pictures that warmed my heart.

see the mini monkey sitting on big monkeys lap?


This is what REALLY got me... aye aye... I miss that man
He totally did this on his own... You can't see it very well in this picture but Troy is tearing up...

PS so much on the brain

No really I say that but I have SO MUCH on the brain. Everything from my girls, my husband, the crazy weather and disasters that are happening every where, Oprah, my boys, blessings, and tender mercies from God, running, my race coming up, OUR BIG ANNOUNCEMENT, aye, aye, aye.

More posts to come.

A goodbye

Well, you notice I have not blogged about saying goodbye to Troy. It was horrible, sad, and I dont want to relive it. The only good thing about it is that it was the last one until HELLO!

So my brother lived in Hobbs, NM and a job transfer has taken them to Wyoming. So on their way north they stopped and played a few days.

Chandler LOVES Grandpa... LOVES him

My nieces taking off on the bikes
We only have 2 bikes so they shared.
My Mother's Day flowers (the pink ones) & box of chocolates
My flowers on the left
We went to the zoo
Looking at the flamingos
These silly things were eating McDonalds fries!
Half the grandkiddos
Half of the grandkids and Grandpa and Grandma
O there is me on the left in white!
The monkeys and my new stroller that I LOVE!
Still looking at the monkeys
Hinks making a funny face
Do you know what is in these waters?????
Can you guess what it is????
They are hippos!!!!
The grandkids hanging out with a lion
Grandma and Jack Jack
Playing at the park with Shay and Chandler

Outside the zoo with Rob & Juila

After the zoo I got the chance to do a girls afternoon out with my sweet nieces. I LOVE THESE GIRLS! LOVE THEM! We had so much fun at the mall and eating out. We came home and put on fake nails. It was such a girls afternoon. LOVED IT!