Our little Christmas in the South...

This year after living in a hotel for the better part of the summer and being unemployed for a long time (a long time for us anyway) Jaxon and I decided that we wanted to see our savings account with more than cobwebs again and chose not go get each other gifts. Instead we did extra nice things for each other all day. Well, mostly just he just did nice things for me. I got to sleep in a bit, I got a nap, I got to take us to my friends house for a meal of scones and quiche,(which I like) and I got to sit on the couch after I put our dinner in the oven and read while Jaxon did the rest. Tomorrow will be his day and I think breakfast in bed will start it out dandy.
You see my one of my biggie 'love languages' is 'acts of kindness' This goes a looongg way in our house. He buys me flowers that will die in a week and I'm thankful. He vacuums the house and I'll pretty much do anything he wants. We have been trying to get the children to understand that service is another way to say 'I love you'.
This babies woke early (KORBIN WOKE EARLY) and in this house we have an eight o'clock rule-if you wake before eight you can tip toe to the fireplace (yea, we have one=) and get your stocking and bring it to mom and dads room and open it in there but you have to wait for everyone else for gifts. FYI Our tree is in a different part of the house than the stockings so he wouldn't pass the gifts!!
When we woke Miss. Allie we could hardly pry her from her stocking to go and see her wonderful play kitchen!! She just was not interested! Jaxon finally picked her up and carried her into the formal sitting room with the tree and the lovely display of gifts and ONLY THEN was she happy we took her away from her stocking!
We didn't have tons to open but what the children got was everything that they wanted. Korbin hasn't asked for anything else ALL YEAR-just a wii. In the spring it was 'If I'm good Santa will bring a wii' in the fall it was the same and last night in his earnest prayers he spoke with reverence 'Heavenly Father I am a good boy and I listen to my mom and dad and teachers and I really really want a wii-but I'm gonna need lotsa controllers for my friends, so don't forget about that too.' We laughed as we put it under the tree and wrapped all the nun chucks and chargers and games. Im not a 'gamer' and after giving Game Stop enough money to pay their rent for a month it doesn't look like my chances are good.
Our Christmas was a quiet one-as quiet as we get and I loved it. I like that we read several Christmas stories throughout the day and I like that its focused on Christ and we don't go crazy with gifts.(I like it when the kids aren't overwhelmed with junk that parents think they should have when the kid really only wanted this or that) I like the way we do Christmas. I like that I get to spend it with people I adore. I like that the swaddleing babe who saved the world, saved me. I love Christmas.

Salvation...

My last Christmas was very different. Jaxon and I weren't doing so hot (understatement of the year) and things were very hard for me. Feeling in the Spirit Christmas was not super, AND I FREAKING LOVE CHRISTMAS! If someone would have told me that I would be in Georgia with Jax. Happily! In a new pretty house and a new career and we WOULD BE PLANNING FOR A SPRING BREAK SEALING. I would have told you to stop being mean to me.
The year before last-everything I'd ever known and believed in was challenged. Last year-it was coming slowly back inside of my heart and this year, Its here. In abundance. I have had an intense 27 years but I choose to look at my crows-feet (damn things) as coming from the wonderful joys I have experienced. I have always loved Korbin and Allie but to know inside, what I have endured for them to have the life they have- makes me love them more. To look at an imperfect (by allot) face in the mirror and know that its still a good face. A face that knows Father in Heaven intimately, a reflection that knows despair and has slowly risen out of the ashes being held by Him is a face I'm okay with seeing tomorrow.
To look at my lovey. Who was, is, and always will be-my lovey. To see how he works himself in every aspect now. Spiritually, mentally and physically. To witness someone who had everything-lose it and then day by day earn it back. In my book he deserves to be looked at now with honor. I cant wait till we have the priesthood in our house for the first time. I can't wait to see him want to baptize our children.
Christmas is about the world finally receiving it's salvation. Salvation comes. Slowly or quickly it does come. This year I am very excited to be celebrating it with my lovey, my Korbin and my Miss. Allie.
If I were to die tomorrow I'd want the people I'd loved to know without any doubts-I loved my Savior and I worked for that relationship. I loved the Gospel, in the scriptures it says 'we are delivered from our sorrows' and I get that. Ive felt it and not only tasted it I chewed and swallowed it. I never want to die and have the door open and have Christ say 'Do I know ye?' My goal is for him to throw those doors open before I've hit the sidwalk and shout 'Brittney, we've been waiting! My friend, my sister,-Welcome.' I would want you to know that Im totally innaproptate and totally fine with that-If I want to wear a big hat Im gonna and I love what I love with no excuses. I have always felt that you only have one life-you'de better hustle if you wanna make it awesome. But, for the first time in my adult life I can say that Im feeling it (watch someone's gonna call me cause I ticked them off=)) I have worked so hard to learn and grow and like who I am and where Im at and there have been many road blocks but I just collect them now and keep on goin-cause at least finally-I know where I am going...

Santa Keys...

Every year for The Mommy Entourage I want to do something Holiday Specific and creative. This year I picked Santa Keys. I have the antique skeleton key shipped from the United Kingdom and then I clean it and glitter it. Then it goes into a natural wood keepsake box with a Santa poem and ribbon. It makes a great gift and the fact that they are one of a kind cant be beat. I loved making them. Each one is so different from another and I was able to get a bunch of different styles of boxes as well. They've sold decently well here but now I have a few left I posted on facebook. Aren't they charming?

Thanksgiving Break...

Thanksgiving came and went. I didn't feel amazing and my fancy friend from London Mrs. Nyia Hicken came over for dinner in a skirt while I dined in sweats. Poor thing-she will have to come over again when I don't suck!Dinner was okay but the next day was the best. The kids decided on oven smores-best idea ever...

HALLOWEEN in DECEMBER!

Yes-on top of candy I had to bake 'monster' cookies. I bake them for every holiday and call them something diffrent!
Then Miss. Allie and I had luuch with Ninja Korbin at his school.
Then Miss. Allie had a meltdown-this is usual. Notice not a real costume? Refused to wear leotard, crown and tore her fairy wings. That was nice. So, she rocked a regular outfit from Gymboree. A fairy ballerina-sorta.

Southern Nuclear

I was going through pictures of this summer and I found one of the only photos my Jaxon has with his new colleagues. These were taken at the time we accepted the position as instructor for Southern Nuclear. Jaxon is now learning how to teach Nuclear Power the civilian way. I thought there was just one way but apparently the Navy likes to do things their own way and jack things up. Here he is (the youngest man ever to do this-I think its awesome/he thinks I'm lame) at the Pinnacle Club (wicked high-end restaurant on the top floor of huge bank) and then at the actual site of Vogtle 1&2. He works for Vogtle 3&4 which haven't even been built yet. They hired 12 guys to go to school to teach power the way they want it taught and then they will be ready when they are hiring for Reactor Operators. Ever since we got here Jaxon has been studying like a crazy person. This school is like the whole 2 years of Nuke school in 6 months. He tests every Friday and has to make a great GPA or we lose our job. Usually, Jaxon does beautifully but we are always holding our breath Thursday night. Last week was the last of those types of tests and now, I believe, they are on to the presentation part of the class. He has to teach his class and instructors on any topic the instructors decide to give him and the fun part is no one has ever done this before. This (Vogtle 3&4) will be the first Nuke Plant to be built in over 30 years in the United States and all the little knobs and switches that you see in the movies are now all being done by huge flat panel touch screen monitors. (sorta like Star Trek) That sucker costs Billions of dollars so these boys are really the pioneers of this new technology in the states. I love that he loves this job, I love that it challenges the heck out of him, even on bad days, because I can see his growth and confidence. We are very lucky and I am happy that after 6 miserable years in the Navy-something paid off!!!

Q&A

Gee, Im happy Im not pregnant but what if I was? I would be in a Phsyc ward.Is it vain to want to have a really big party when your getting sealed? I hope not.
Is it wrong to make your husband read Twilight? Not if he likes it after 50 pages.
If you forgive someone does that mean you have to still let them in your life? No.
If you don't let them in your life does that mean you really didn't forgive them? No
Does everything really happen for a reason or do we say that to make life easier? It happens for a reason even if its hard.Is it mean to throw away your kids Halloween candy after a week?
Do you take it as a compliment when someone says 'You look really good-for having two kids' or do you want to slap them? I want to slap them.
Is there really a place where magic never dies? Disney Land does not count- ???? Under our dining table where we build forts.
Does having allot of money just mean your not helping enough people? How much money and probally.
Is there any person who has a two year old and doesn't want to rip all of their hair out? (their own hair not the kids hair) I hope not because I am going to be bald by three.
Does everyone roll over and look at their husband and say to themselves every morning 'You were the best decision I have ever made'? I do somedays and I hope everyone does somedays but because of PMS that might be impossible.
Does everyone get super spiritually charged from Sacrament meeting? I said I have kids right? Im just happy to take the sacrement and get out of there with all my buttons still closed and my pantyhose not snagged.
These were the thoughts that ran through my head on the way home from church today, I am trying to see if something is wrong with me and how many random things just fly around in there. Hopefully somethings not wrong with me.

HE DID TELL ME I WAS PREGNANT!!

At my Urology appointment this past Friday I had a bit of a fright! I was asked to pee in a cup, like always. Then started my crazy exams, like always. And when the lab was done looking for white blood cells and all that other jazz in your urine the doctor walked in and said 'Well we found something we weren't really looking for! Congrats it seems your pregnant' I loudly responded with my famous 'WHAT THE HELL?'
He went right on to say how wonderful this is and I say I need a police escort home so I don't murder my husband and right then, as if on cue, his sweet angelic nurse comes in with a worried expression and says 'No, no Doctor its Mrs. Nelson in room ?403? (I cant remember what room because all I was hearing was my heart beating again)
He looks at me painfully and sadly says's he's so sorry and I jump off the table and give him a hug telling him that I wont sue for the 'Serious distress caused by his false diagnosis!'
As overjoyed as I was he could have told me I was going to have my bladder removed and I would have taken the news happily. I had a great time texting my Jaxon and Mom and Jaime my little trick and so I thought I would give you guys a little Halloween prank too! I am happily NOT PREGNANT AND NEVER WILL BE and am making plans for a hysterectomy as soon as insurance will pay for it so I will never feel my heart beating in my feet and my head at the same time while trying to breathe!! Yea, for my period coming any minute-Ive missed you!

#*%^

Guess who's Uroligist just told her she was pregnant?

HALLOWEEN AT THE INSANE ASYLUM!

I love this new job, house, life everything and here's why-Last night we had a wicked Halloween Party! We had good 100 people come over to have a great time! Our home faces down a cultdesac with about 7 houses in between but then the end part is still undeveloped land (just paved). Because it was 520 feet (thanks Jax for measuring that out) from our house to the party we set up the tent we use for The Mommy Entourage Craft shows and baked to our hearts content. We used luminarios to separate the entertainment from the seating and had a ball!
We had hired Pyroteque, a fire performing group, to host our party this year (I'm thinking Hot Air Balloon Rides next year?) We were so so happy we did, those guys did freakin awesome and it was a party no one will forget soon. We asked people to bring their favorite Halloween treat and then my January (my long time friend from our pregnancy days with the boys) came over from Charleston to help and have a too-short visit. We made Spiderweb cupcakes, Halloween frosted cupcakes, Grave bones brownies, Orange colored pumpkin rice crispy treats on skewers dipped in chocolate, 'Dog food' muddy buddies mixed with popped corn served in cans decorated with painted Halloween polka dots.
Up the street, in the house was showing 'The Scary Godmother'. Apple Cider and Hot chocolate was served up by pumpkin bowling in the dining room. We did have bobbing for apples but my darling Miss. Allie soaked herself by taking a bite out of each and every apple and throwing it back so that was a no-go. I am so very grateful to Jaxon (and mine) work friends Travis and Angie who came early for dinner and got put to work. I could have never done it with out the help of Jan and Angie especially-I was a crazy person about 15 minutes before the party-I'm sure its really hard to imagine that huh?
Korbin had a total blast and told everyone that this was his birthday party cause his mom and dad are cheap-I'd like to know of any other 6 year olds that get fire people instead of a birthday- little turd! Anyways, I loved this and cant wait to have kick butt parties year after year!!

And my first Birthday in my new life...

We have been very lucky to make quick friends here and were able to find a great gal (who just left for BYU Idaho-why do they always do that?!) to babysit for us on my Birthday. Jaxon took the children to a birthday party accross the street while I had TWO whole hours to get ready alone-it was the start of a blissful night...
We then ate at a little crappy seafood restraunt (That I picked out because of the local catch) and spent the night walking on the Savannah River talking about our future. In typical Jaxon style; I recieved a 4 inch Pink Kershaw Knife to keep in my purse and breakfast in bed for a few days.
It was a perfect birthday Im am actually quite happy to be 27!
And don't mind the boobs-they are going to be put away for life after this winter so deal...

Lookie what I found~

I just found our camera and Im too tired to clean my house tonight for updated pictures but here are some from right when we got here and saw our house for the first time...

The only one...

Tonight was long. It was loud and messy and everything it is every night and I was exhausted. Jaxon has a new study schedule in which he leaves before we wake and comes home around eight (bedtime) Monday thru Thursday. But, then has an early day on Friday and the weekend with us. I've already done nuke school and sea tours and can totally handle it but tonight I was just so DONE with my two little crazies. There was nothing particularly bad-just allot and I feel like I don't get enough breaks.
I don't know how many countless times I have sighed under my breath 'If only I had a nanny'. I often catch myself sneaking in to the office to work on The Mommy Entourage even though the beauty of it is that I do it when they are sleeping. I get so sick of Miss. Allies countless screeching and demands (she is almost two, after all) and I just want someone more 'qualified' to do this endless non-profit job. I am usually quite happy being with my kids and I like them on top of loving them (and yes, that is different-I love well...some family members-but liking is a whole different story) but if I could get any sort of 'help' gardener/ chef/ housekeeper/ nanny I think it would be a close tie between housekeeper and nanny------till tonight.
I boycotted my dinner dishes and decided to give my tired self a girl movie. I had gotten 'The Nanny Diary's' a few days ago and wanted some brain rest (that's what we call crap TV cause you don't have to use your brain-just watch it mindlessly) I actually really liked it and a part of it really got to me.
When my kid is sick-I'm the one sitting on the bathroom floor holding them all night so they don't touch the cold tile. When they are hurt-I am administering first aid and 'Mommy's magic kisses' and when they want just about anything it is always "MMMMMOOOMMMM"
Now, I understand that most every person that reads this blog is a regular person and has no nanny's and I sound foolish; but tonight made me grateful for all the times I actually schedule in a play time with my kids. To really play. Being with Miss. Allie all day and being WITH her is quite another story. She loves to play under her crib, but not alone, only when someone is with her and we can giggle together. So, as I pick up my skirt tomorrow and crawl my big black chick butt under there I will be glad that I'm not paying someone else to 'imagine' with my daughter. I have never heard the words 'No I want her to fix my owie' or 'I want her to put me to bed' because they know of no other than me and their daddy. 24/7 364 Korbin asked just the other day what exactly day care was and if he could hang out there or not because half his friends from kindergarten go there AFTER school. (holy freakin-long day for those poor kids) I was giddy that he didn't know what it even was.
When I worked and Jaxon wasn't home I always made sure I had an agreement (meaning pay) with another mother whom I was friends with and our kids got along with and it seemed to them just like an extended play date at a really fun kids house. I just really did not want them somewhere where I wouldn't KNOW for a fact that they were happy. Korbin asked once if I could go back to work again so he could hang out with his buddy more, but that was it.
And when I'm old and decrepit I will know that I'm not looking back with a 'kinder' sort of memories that keeps only the good ones I will be filled up with all the messes, bugers, puke, poo, laughter, fighting, sweat, and lovable wit (that came from Jaxon and I have no part in that at all) and I will remember every story they tell because I WAS ALWAYS THERE...

Dammit!!!

Yes, Shannon and my mom-I am the cursing friend. I know. I'm going to hell. I will get on that right away.=) But I have reasons for my potty mouth. I finally got moved in and my stuff and settles and the computer fixed-meaning whole new computer and then...
I lost my camera.

No, our new house, job, ward, friends, school, The Mommy Entourage is not pretend we really do live here and now with all that money I have from moving cross country and buying a house I get to buy a new camera. So, dammit don't expect great pictures any time soon. Dammit, dammit, Dammit!

Hell had an ice storm...

Hell had an ice storm! Though it has kinda been brewing for a few years; lets just start from the...start. In the year 1982 I was born to a domestic goddess of a mother. If we lived somewhere ugly I would never remember it because if she could use a paint brush, sewing machine, or a hot glue gun it would become beautiful. However I always felt that I never inherited that 'gene'-oh yes, I have pretty good taste and I know how to arrange things well and have always had an eye for a great product but to make it myself seemed out of my league.
Then I became poor. Enlisted Navy Wife with 2 kids poor. I still just didn't think I could make something as pretty as I could buy it. And if I wait long enough-everything goes on sale. But, then I attended many Super Saturdays in the Relief Society and started to pay attention when friends would mention that they put something together. Through time I felt a little different about not weather I could make something as beautiful but if I wanted too.
My family is a full time job yet I like to work, unfortunately here in Augusta the need for a make-up artist is small and I don't get a large opportunity for growth. So through much thought and a bit of trial and error-Don't look too closely at my first batch!! I have finally decided that I CAN create boutique quality gifts that have my flair. I'm always looking at decor and nick knacks, Holiday crafts and thinking to myself 'If I did that I'd do it this way or that'. As of October third 'The Mommy Entourage' will debut at a local festival favorite The Oliver Hardy Days. I am not looking to create an empire but I looking to make my neck of the world a better, sweeter and more beautiful place. And lets not kid around- Im not doing this non-profit! Look to further postings on products that I'm working on (loving that extra bedroom/now my work space) and ideas that come. I cant wait to start to next step in my evolution as a Woman and a Working Mom.

WORST MOTHER EVER!

Oh Yes, I totally am and here's why:
Last week I posted that my Korbin was sicky. Well this little fever turned into a major rash but he already has eczema! So, no worries we slap some of his usual ointment on his body and send him back to school on Friday. BTW he was home driving me crazy for two days acting fine just with some itching. On Friday, not even ten minutes after he gets off the bus to school the lovely school Nurse calls me for the second time that week "Mrs. Nelson obviously there is something very wrong with your little boy, he is scratching himself raw-DIDN'T you notice before you MADE him get on the bus? Come right away and get him!" Well the evening before his hands started to swell-odd but that's why God gave us Benadryl. OK he must have an allergic reaction but he can still learn, cant he? I call the doctor we've never met and explain the symptoms and guess what he says--It looks like he has HAND FOOT AND MOUTH! WHAT? Does Korbin go to school in a third world country? We look it up and the only way that's contagious is through-hold your breath-feces. Eeeeewwww. They say its not really contagious and all they would do is give him Tylenol so keep him happy and send him to school on Monday. We have to go to our already scheduled appointment on Monday for his immunization papers (whole other can of worms about how retarded Georgia is about that crap) I do not send Korbin to school cause he's still funky lizard boy. We show up to the new and fancy Doctors office and they look at him and say "Does your throat hurt?" Korbin says nope and he has no mouth sores or anything but they want to do a throat culture anyway. TWO minutes later the Dr. comes in and says 'Mrs. Nelson did you know your son has SCARLETT FEVER?" Yeah, I know and I thought I'd ignore it-OF COURSE I DIDN'T KNOW I CALLED YOU AND YOU SAID HE HAS HAND FOOT AND MOUTH!!! The doctor looks and me blankly and says "Yep he probably has both." This calls for a curse word-What the hell!!!
Korbin tell him he feels great if he could stop feeling like human sandpaper. They send me with a week of antibiotics and the Dr. says he will be great in a few days. I get in the car and apologise to Korbin profusely that I didn't rush him to the hospital sooner and have my sweet, handsome, smart, funny, delightful boy made whole again. He looks out the window and just says "Of course you didn't know-your just a mom." haha At least he's well enough to make a joke. I think.

Poor Korbin!

Today was the day! We were ready! Weeks of preparation! Weeks of earning pledges for his schools fundraiser! And then..
Yesterday at one o'clock the school nurse calls to tell me my little handsome cowboy is running a 100 degree fever. Yes, the dream of crossing the finish line in first place is fading fast. Korbin is so upset at his body, he keeps telling the good germs to hurry up and win the fight with his bad germs so his fever will go down and he can participate in the Boosterthon Fun Run with his friends.
This morning he crawled into bed in the wee hours of the morning burning up and as miserable as can be. He slept a good part of the early afternoon and when he rose he came to me with tears in his sickly little eyes and says "Mom, they ran it without me and now I have to tell all the people that gave me money for my school that I lied to them and didn't race today." I hugged him and tried to convince him that there was no lie at all and they would understand that he got sick. He still was so upset that he was sick and then came up with a marvelous plan...
In the coming weeks for FHE we will host the first Nelson Family Olympics. Korbin will participate in all events and show the good people who donated money to his class that it was not in vain and he is going to EARN IT. I am proud of my little prince who made a lemon into lemonade. I am happy that he came up with an other idea to complete the challenge. I love him and will show pictures (hopefully) of his success at our Olympics.

I want to see the pictures too...

We are moved in, the paint is nearly finished (It might never be done because I decide on a different decor direction daily) the boxes were unpacked and given away within the first 72 hours of the movers being here (can you tell we wanted to stop living in suitcases?) I have everything up where I want it and have even hosted a dinner party and still I have not one picture to show you all our new world.
We unpacked our very new computer and it decides every few minutes to just flat out stop working. Like someone pulls the plug on it. dead. flat out nothing. annoying. frustrating. infuriating. Tech Support hates me and hates Jaxon even more, and we have to take in into Best Buy and so who knows when anyone will see this 'illusive house'. It is just a regular house on a regular street in suburbia and no one thinks its nearly as exciting as I do but Ive been so excited theses last few months and now to finally live in it and have no one I know that I love be able to share my joy is crappy. I swear it is not a figment of my imagination-we really do live here. If you have a camera phone Ill text you a picture!!! The reason I can type this and not post pictures is that I am using Jaxons work laptop which I'm not supposed to be on anyway! I cannot download anything on this baby, although it is shiny and pretty.
ILL POST THE MINUTE I CAN AND ID BETTER HEAR LOTS OF COMMENTS!!

Write it gently...

When I write the story of my family I think it sometimes might be rated R. Sometimes I look like a saint and others the devils advocate. But I think that when I am old enough to sit down and let the pen run, my memory will be kind...
I hope that it is that way. I hope that when I write about our time in the Navy-something I never wanted to be a part of. The trials of our marriage and for that matter children. The time we spent months and months without a paycheck (that would be now) making it work. I will remember the kids and I making peanut butter sandwiches for a picnic and not the 110 degree heat and Miss. Allie pooping out of her swim diaper and other parents dive bombing in to get their kids out because I have the icky little girl. I will remember that we got lost so many times but found the coolest places to eat and museum's to tour and we learned that most any kid at most any park is an instant friend. I will hopefully look back on Washington as a huge growing experience and a test of faith in every way. I will respect the military and I will teach my children how to be grateful and humble for their freedom.
Only three years ago we moved from Charleston; now one of my most favorite places in the world. Yet, if you had asked me 6 months after we moved there while Jaxon was studying like crazy for Nuke school and I has a newborn and almost no friends (and I was fatter) I would have told you I was in hell. I would have told you I hated the giant bugs and being alone so much and I hated that we had no furniture (if you knew us then you are laughing, because you know all we had besides dishes is a futon from someone in the ward and a crib.) I found happiness in my beautiful healthy child and I made friends-some of you are my dearest to this day. (hello Jaime and January) I learned how to bargain shop- well, on sale. I learned how to be a self starter and teach Korbin to have fun no matter where he was. I now love that place and hold all those 'growing up' experiences very close to my heart. Washington will be like that eventually.
When my children are grown I will remember how I could feel their hot breath against my neck in the mornings (after they scare the wits out of my sneaking in my bed) I will remember how they laughed so hard today when I slipped in front of our new house when I was letting in the fridge delivery men and the two guys acted like I was in cardiac arrest while my children knew just by the look on my face I was fine and they got a ball out of the whole thing. I love that my Jaxon gets this look on his face when we realize that rhythmic sound of the crazies sleeping means we are sorta alone. We are still in a hotel, we still have not received a paycheck and we are broke like we were when we were first married. I'm not a huge fan of sugar coating things but I think your mind a sort of snapshot of what you want to remember. It remembers the lessons and you grow but you don't feel the hurt or stress of whatever it is making you grow. You body forgets labor pain so why shouldn't your soul be kind to its memories? When I look back on this with my wrinkles I will laugh and think 'How did we do it?" and Ill know to put it gently on paper and finish with "The four of us will do whatever it takes because we loved each other."

Official HOMEOWNERS!

Today was the day!!! We are finally real homeowners and its funny that we didn't feel like we were signing our life away and this heavy burden of hundreds of thousands of debt hanging over us. Well after reading that sentence I might now! We walked in and 30 minutes later it was done. I am beyond excited. Its real. Our life here is real. And baby-am I enjoying it.
8:00 a.m a run through new neighborhood
9:00 a.m. painters come in to 'Brittneyize' the formal dining room a beautiful limeish green called 'Lemon Verbana' (why its called lemon anything is wierd because its green) and my kitchen will be Duke Red from the chair railing up to the rest of the crown molding. (Jaesi its not very much; we have crown molding on anything that stands still-I promise a red kitchen rocks!) and Korbin's ceiling is Paris blue. We will later do the walls a Viking blue with stripes but that dang 5 year plan Jaxons got me on is making me wait. Miss. Allies room will be waiting till she gets out of her crib for the hot pink princess room.
This evening we went to the house so Jaxon could start epoxying the garage floor-it will be his shop after all! While the kids and I hung solar lantern's in the flower gardens. It was wonderful to sit on MY DRIVEWAY with MY FAMILY and see MY NEIGHBORS walking their dogs. Everyone was so friendly to us and I'm sure we just oozed excitement from our pores. Korbin was inviting everyone who walked past to come see his new room. Some kids actually took him up on it and he made instant friends. (He obviously gets that from his talkative mother)
I wanted to celebrate and told Jaxon we could go to dinner anywhere he wanted. Not to change his traditional character we ended up a Sonic. It was fine though-the kids didn't need to be shushed sit politely they could run around outside in this glorious Georgia sun. I love it here. I am so happy we listened to Heavenly Father and followed this job and this house and this ward. This is where we are supposed to be.

if I ever go to prison...

If I ever go to prison I'd be a great cook...I can boil noodles and make a mean egg ham and cheese sandwich and I can cook a million things with a microwave and a mini fridge. The other night we had baked (sort of) ham, potatoes, and cut up veggies and chocolate covered strawberries for dinner all from my trusty little appliances.
I know how to make towel animals...
I know every single type of snoring from all three of my loud sleepers. Restless...content...good dream...stuffy...bad dream...dry mouth...
I know that peeing alone can be a luxury and if I can get a whole entire bath alone I should kneel in thanks...
That my children have no problem whatsoever expressing themselves...
That air conditioning one foot from a bed is freezing and therefor if I go to prison I'm requesting the furthest bunk...
That you really can keep four people in one room and not kill each other and the biggest lesson I learned is...
the only reason people in the olden days could have 14 kids in one room is because they were NEVER in the room. They were out working. So the only thing they did in that room was sleep. And thus the parents could make #15 because their little dream team was dead to the world asleep and they could be as wild and crazy as they wanted becuase everyone else was too pooped to wake up. I learned that my children do wake up and aren't all that pooped and that NO we can't live in one room or I will be begging social services to knock on our door!!!
So this week when I'm in my new big house I will be happily on one side of it with Jaxon while the crazies are on the other side and never again (unless we want to go on a trip) will we be having a wake up at 2:00 alone time meeting. EVER AGAIN...
no wonder why I'm always tired...

GUESS WHAT?

GUESS WHAT?
This is the way Korbin usually starts any sentence. Guess what mom? And then he proceeds to talk as if he ever stopped in the first place. That's what I do all day long-I hear GUESS WHAT MOM? I know he says things that are important and meaningful and I love listening to the little guy but honestly today-I just wish he would shut up. I am with him and Miss. Allie all day every day and I know already that it rained on us today and we fed the turtles and that Miss. Allie is one and that its really hot here and that I'm getting 'puffier' and so on and so forth. In fact I am escaping them right now to write this blog but he probably hasn't noticed my leave and will just keep talking anyway. Its constant and its annoying. If I am ever on the phone with anyone(and I haven't been on the phone alot because I would just complain) that is his cue to be in dire need of something and must speak up. And because I am TRYING to teach he stubborn little devil manners he just says 'Excuse Me' louder and louder till I want to whack him with the phone. I'm just tired and they don't seem to be at all...why oh why...

IT CAME

Well your prayers worked!!!! Clearance came bright and early this morning!!! Now we can close on our house on August 3rd!!!! YEAAAAAA!!!!!

what do I say....

You know how blogs are supposed to be the 'sugar coated' version of our real lives well today its not.
Yesterday we were supposed to move into our new house in this new part of the country and start our new lives. Well...I am sitting in the hotel laundry place waiting for our clothes to dry and feeling sorry for myself. Lets start at the beginning shall we:

Four days before we move to Georgia Cheryl Byers (whom I really like)for Southren Nuclear Human Resources calls in a fluff about Jaxon still not being cleared for work that starts on the following Monday. She told us that Jaxon had to take some extra tests to clear that we wasn't crazy since he has depression and is on medication. Of course we were expecting this and said we would (we in all this really means Jaxon but I'm suffering here to so I get to say we) meet with any doctor from SLC to Augusta but in order for us to get there on the start date we had to start driving. She connected us to the company in charge of clearance and we held out an extra day to see if they would get on the ball and get Jaxon in for a appointment under the assumption that we would be moving our entire family across the country within 48 hours and this needed to be be EXPEDITED! I am not one to mess around-seriously if you need something done you ask me cause it happens, my tolerance for others with my life in their hands who dilly dally is not so hot.
We get in touch with the woman in charge of Jaxons file (whom I hope to never meet) and he makes himself as clear as water that he will do anything to receive this clearance and start on time. We leave-if you've read my other posts its been eventful. Moving on...
We get here and immediately get in touch with this person and she says something to to the affect that-oh, she didn't know where he was and couldn't schedule any appointment without talking to him. I am not so understanding towards this being as she has BOTH of our phone numbers and our travel plans for the week. deep breath
They allow Jaxon to start on time with the rest of the class. (He is being taught how to teach the way Southern Nuclear wants it done in the civilian world) He cannot turn on the beautiful new laptop they gave him and further more we don't officially work there without clearance so that means NO PAYCHECK. Which means NO CLOSING ON OUR HOUSE!
He goes to the appointment-a week later! again deep breath Brit! Thinks it is a success. Clearly not crazy and can more than handle this job and is ready to get going. We have every reason to believe the next Monday we will have received clearance and we can start relocation and put a final closing date on our home that we were so encouraged by the company to purchase the week we came out in June! As of this past Friday and countless phone calls back and forth we have heard nothing.

We prayed earnestly about this job and this move and this house and this ward. We felt this is where we should be. We have had every intention of settling here to raise our children and Jax to work here for a number of years. Now, if we continue to not receive a paycheck and wait and wait and wait for clearance we will be forced to look for another job. This devastates me. Jaxon. Us. If we could just live in a hotel forever that would be fine that they are taking sweet time but we cannot and should not have to live here any longer. Our savings-thank goodness we had some! But our sweet savings is being depleted quickly and if we have to make another move we have to do it fast. We fasted today and we still feel good about being here so if you would like please pray on our behalf. We are trying so hard to be faithful and patient. If we still have no clearance Jaxon will be back on the market as of this week. We really want to make this our home. So that is actually the sugar coated version of how I really feel- I have a few four letter words up my sleeve but its Sunday so your sparred!! Sorry my post are so dang long!!!

a good thing...

The sweet sound of my sleeping babes...
The little curls on the back of Alexzondras neck as she lays on her tummy cuddling her glow worm...
Korbin's sweaty boy hair that never smells clean enough (and yes I do wash his hair!) pressed against his tanned cheeks...
The two of them being quiet except for the occasional sigh and sniffle...
The happiness of my heart as I see them content waiting for our lives to start again and knowing that even though we are up-rooted and crazy they know we are together and that is all they need to sleep well at night...
its a good thing we have eachother...

Motorcycle Porn...

I would just like to say that anything one is addicted to is a sin. Isn't that what us Mormons are taught? Its not that caffeine is necessarily bad its that its addicting. So even if you never touched coffee but can't live without half a dozen Mountain Dews a day-you have a problem. Because your addicted to something. Not so serious but one should watch it.
Well we have come to a term used with Jaxon and I-Motorcycle Porn. If he is online he's looking at it. I feel so used, so unappreciated, so alone. Its becoming a real problem. Last night I was icky (I think I'm just getting used to this heat) and asked Jaxon to throw a load in. We live right next to our hotels laundry and its keyed entry and so we just go in and out as a load is being washed. We were supposed to have a mini date and I bought him Oreos and I got the movie Fireproof from a lady in the ward. So, he's gone a LITTLE bit longer than I'd like and when he comes back with a guilty look on his bearded (ew) face he smiles and only says "Sorry that motorcycle porn got me again." And yes I hit him. He will be doing the laundry for the remainder of our stay and I will eat his Oreos. little turd

itsy bitsy...

Today wasn't any better or any worse. I don't particularly enjoy my daughter when she does the screaming thing-which is always lately-but whatever. That isn't the crappy part about today. Jaxon came home and said we might have to extend closing on our house for ANOTHER WEEK because of the way the paycheck will be coming. Doing a VA loan we can't close without a new paycheck-making sense that they want to know we've got a job to pay off the loan they are approving. But, another week seems just too overwhelming today. It POURED rain all day. Washington was not left behind-we just brought it with us and I can't get away from the damn place. The kids are crazy and for some reason still on Seattle time-going to sleep at midnight and being total nightmares when I wake them up at nine in the morning. I'm just tired of this. I know we have only been in a hotel since Saturday night but be have been away from our stuff and floating for over a month now and I'm done with it. Another EXTRA week seems excruciating.
BUT-I do have a coping mechanism: Every time I want to burst into tears about how sucky this is I turn on my camera and look at my lovely home no one has ever lived in and my master suite with a huge garden tub and walk in closet and I feel a itsy tiny bit better. I can't wait to paint the kitchen red and the formal dining room chocolate and lime. I think the kids rooms will be a crazy theme. With Korbin having Midnight shiny blue on his ceiling so we can hang up his stars and Miss. Allies room is going to be a bit of Hawaiian Paisley with Clear blue/green walls and a big pink canopy over her bed.
Every night when Im lying awake I think of this and that that I'm going to do. Jaxon put us on a 5 year plan. So, Jaxon thinks. I will have it done by Christmas because I'm crazy like that. I feel better just thinking about it. Thanks.

Seriously...Seriously...

We are here. We are still married and our children have not been put up for adoption. Yet...
We arrived late LATE the fourth of July after four exausting days of endless driving.
Lets start at the begining of the four days-
Great plan: Drive from SLC to Denver to see my witch sister and be more open-minded as she likes to call it. I call it staying with family for a free night and judging boyfriend but we are happy to catch up so off we go...
Wyoming(Oh didnt you hear-Its faster to horse shoe up and over Utah into Wyoming and down to Denver than to drive through the rockies.) So here we are in Wyoming on the interstate and ooops something BIG got chucked out of the bottom of Jaxons piece of sh*# jeep. That would be the DRIVE SHAFT. I dont know much about cars but I do know that a drive shaft is sorta necessary. We freak a bit and slowly (because he can still drive the dang thing) head BACK to the nearest town where we are not above BEGGING some 18 year old kid who works for his dad to fix our heap of scrap for about $400.00 so we can make it to GA. I promise Jaxon a gun when and if we make it and he promises me the first shot-guess what I get to shoot- THE JEEP!
A day and a half goes by- no Colorado-no sister-nothing but waiting for the Jeep.
As I am reminded by our families-we only asked God to get us to Gerogia safely and together we werent more specific and God is a man so get to the details. We pray SPECIFICALLY about everything from the kids to dental plans and head on.
Then next few days werent amazing but I could get struck by lightning if I whine about the regular stuff like Korbin throwing up the minute we get into a hotel pool or Miss. Allie finger painting the car seat with poo.
Then we are on the next to last day where my brilliant husband (did I tell you already he will be teaching people about Nuclear Power?) decided that in St. Louis he goes North towards Chichago and I go south (obvously) towards Memphis and he gets lost for hours on end and almost looses his mind in the ghetto of St. Louis. There was a detour and I took the most practical route but he in his 'rattle trap' took the other way-which makes since to him still if we talk about it-and then could not find our one light town where I had already gotten a room with the kids-Jaxon joined us at midnight so flaming upset I thought he was going to cry.
The last day was the longest because we had to make up for the lovely Wyoming overnighter we had done. 12 hours from St. Louis to Augusta Georgia. The kids were done. I was done. Jax was done. Korbin has not let us forget that he had to miss the fireworks just to go another hotel.
Chuch was lovely-but that is another post because in this one I am venting.
Today I get up to see our new house that they are almost finished with (the walk through is this saturday) and wouldn't you guess-I have a flat tire! I call our realestate agent from heaven and he picks up the kids and I and takes us to our house and then changes the tire. We love that man-another post people-I have no friends so Ill start alot of blogging!
I hobble to the Bridgestone and the ugly man looks at the car and goes 'Whatdddyouknow' (yes all one word) 'Itlookstherelikeyouhavetwoflattires' What did he say~something about TWO FLAT TIRES! YES! That was what he said. DAMNIT!!!!!
(Im not in YW right now so can curse after all this)
Who gets two flat tires in one day I ask-WHO? Have you ever heard of anyone that has had NO money, no home and two flat tires. I have-and she dies in the end! To top it off my antichrist children and going bezzerk and I am crying and calling my mother who is the ever-optimist. Clearly the Lord is just trying to humble me. I AM HUMBLED! I am done-over it-no more. I cant have all this today. I dont know anyone, all our savings is just being eaten by the car devils and I look like crap.
Then Jaxon comes home. better. Then my mom calls with our rembursement check from Southren Company with a few grand to get us by the rest of these 11 days in HELL.
So its not so bad after all. Even though I am sitting in a Hotel Laundrymat typing this while there are a dozen drunk people right outside smoking and talking about the foreign chick on the computer in here. (another post)
LOVE YOUALL AND MISS YOU! Good luck Jackie our prayers are with you-she is pushing out a little lady as of this moment-hopefully!

Someone could die...

So, here we are just waiting for our lives to start again. Just Waiting. Homeless. (Till we can move to Georgia) Sorta Jobless (because we don't start till July 6th) Kinda Poor (living off savings) AND we are at my parents house. This is the very longest I have been home since I left when I was 17-about a minute after I graduated. My mom visits us wherever we are and that's nice but its a whole different story being here with my whole family- during the summer-for two weeks. I know a whole ton of people who go back home to where they grew up for the entire summer and some of my friends live on the very same street as their parents.
We are not that family. We love each other. BUT........We are ALL VERY different. One of my sweet sisters is a witch. Seriously. A real life casting spells witch. My 19 brother is as innocent as a newborn deer. My 16 year old sister is a almost-professional anime cartoonist of which she devotes her entire life to. So, where do I fit in? Lets not forget my Feature Family Film loving parents. Soft voices are spoken here and the word crap is only used when something is life threatening. Again you ask-where is my place?
I am (as my brother lovingly found appropriate) Cruel la Devil. You know-the crazy black and white fur loving wealthy maniac in 101 Dalmatians. Yep, that's me. We all have our roles. I come into their tranquil (or as I put it-death silence) place of peace and want to get on Hotmail. What? You say! Nope not here, Dad comes downstairs to the basement of ice and puts in his password to temporally suspends 'Net Nanny' so I may get on my email and face book account. Too bad Dad isn't here till six o'clock everyday huh? I am lucky though because I even know what that is.
My family and I do great together watching a G rated movie. Such as now-they are upstairs on a Saturday night watching 'Beverly Hill Chihuahua' as my folks remind us that if we ever have that much money and treat our dogs like that they will disown us. I would disown myself first. We do great at church, when my children look like pictures in a magazine and Jaxon and I look the part of a doting newly married couple. Sorry Utah, As soon as we get in the car off comes the pantyhose (yes I am wearing them in June-I'm at my MOTHERS) and the tie and we rush home to stuff as much food in our bellies as possible and talk about the lady at church wearing an eye patch. We are going to hell. But, Jax and I will be be there as a family!
I hope this 'trip' goes well, we are only three days in after all. I hope I can shut my mouth when my brother goes to Blockbuster and comes home with 'The Work and the Glory' for us to have together time. I hope I can shut my mouth when my mom coddles the crap out of my children (coddling is different than spoiling and spoiling is totally fine for Grandmas) I hope I can shut my mouth when my dad starts talking about how Obama is going to destroy my children's future. I hope I can open my mouth when I can only give righteous topics with encouragement and peace.
This will be a very quiet two weeks for me indeed. I love my family and they love me. We will see what I post in two weeks!!!

SO...

HIYALL!
After an extremely busy last few weeks and one fabulous trip to Southern Company- Jaxon and I have decided to accept a teaching position for Southern Nuclear. There is a Nuclear energy plant located about an hour south of Augusta Georgia-where we will live. Currently there are two reactors at Plant Vogtle; brilliantly named~1 and 2 starting August first they will break ground on~again original titles~ 3 and 4. Well...they wont be producing power till 2016 but while they are being built that's a whole lot of Senior Reactor Operators that need to license and get ready to man the plant. That's where my lovey comes in-He will be one of the 12 teachers to get the plant going. I was very impressed by this company and everyone we met so naturally I wanted to buy a house.
YEA FOR ME! WE DID JUST THAT! WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!
I am very very excited!!! I'm pretty happy that after living in the Seattle market and seeing houses like this go for $600,000 and knowing that we didn't pay anywhere close to that, makes me giddy!!!! Its four bedroom, three full bath, two car deep garage, a quarter acre back yard, and BRAND SPANKING NEW!! We will close on the 17th of July and then we will start to finally get settled once and for all. LOOK OUT GEORGIA HERE COME THE NELSONS!!!I'm not showing pictures till I get the newest ones tomorrow so stay tuned...

bit of a update...

A bit of an update is correct being as we have no real news...yet! On Sunday both Jaxon and myself are flying down to Augusta Georgia to meet for a week with Southern Company and house hunt. We got an amazing offer and this is the job I really am hoping Jaxon likes once he is actually on-site.
It's funny that thirty days ago when he was job hunting I didn't like anything he was applying for or any WHERE those jobs were (hello-Colestrip Montana-no way) I was ticked off one night and said 'Fine I'll find you the job I want you to have' and I did. I picked this off of the Nuke Worker website and checked out the company and area and told Jaxon to send in his resume. He looked at me sorta funny and said 'Babe, I applied for that job a week ago!' A week after that some guy called and asked Jaxon for a minute or two of his time; little did Jaxon know that he was on a 6 way phone interview with the board of directors for Southern Company. He got an offer two days later. Without meeting Jaxon. Without a final interview. Nothing. They just said from the first minute they spoke to him they knew he was a perfect fit for the job. SO, off we go to stay in a five star hotel for a week of wine-and dining with the big wigs. I am excited to go even though we haven't made a final decision. Part of me feels like we have been getting a great feeling about Georgia from the beginning so that Heavenly Father has already made the decision. but...
Jaxon has another offer for Topaz Power in Corpus Christi Texas and he traveled down there last week and really liked the plant. I know we will be fine either place but I really like the south.
WOULDN'T MISS.ALLIE MAKE A FABULOUS SOUTHERN BELLE???
We are staying with Jaxon's family in Vancouver for a while then to my family in Utah and then we will make the trek to either Texas or Georgia by the last week of June. The start date of Southern Company's program that Jaxon would be a part of is July 5th, so that means we better haul it!! Good thing I already put a deposit on an apartment in Augusta huh? See I am ready to go. As soon as we get back next Saturday I will let you know which offer we accepted and then you will hear all about the different houses I want to buy!!! till then....

Screaming again...

Yep I did it again...
I erased everyone's address from my blog thingy...
I should seriously consider writing these dam# things out sometime when Im not moving across the country and holding a crazy baby...
PLEASE SEND ME YOUR ADDRESS SO THAT ONCE AGAIN I MAY ADD YOU...
so you may update yourself to my families craziness...
sorry sorry sorry Im gonna loose my mind...
there is goes...
its going...
long gone...
just send your address please...

I will miss,,,

Leaving Washington I will miss...
Many of my dear friends and their children.
The clean smell when I walk outside because it is always raining.
Black clothes-they are everywhere just in abundance here.
Getting into a pro-choice/pro-life debate with a stranger on the street of Seattle.
Pine Trees-most of them.
Tree Huggers with thier hemp milk and coffee rocking Birkenstocks with socks!
Central Market.
Zero Gravity Gymnastics.
Korbin's Ms. Nancy (his amazing pre-school teacher from heaven)
Cheap Salmon.
Silverdale 6th Ward.
Girls nights which involve doing nothing productive but talking to buddies.
My therapist. Whom we call 'our crazy doctor'
Knowing sunny days are numbered and doing really fun things on those days.
US Navy for the guaranteed paycheck and 100% medical coverage

Things I will NOT miss...
RAIN!!
Sleeping alone because Jax in on duty or gone to sea.
RAIN!
US NAVY for everything but the paycheck (which wasn't even good) and the insurance.
The crappy people who live on my street who make their kids hold a lit cigarette while they fix a bike and such...
RAIN!
How far everything is-good shopping/good dining/good entertainment
Super high cost of living. 200K for a trailer!!
Fake friends.
Muddy carpet.
RAIN!
Being the 'fairest' people in the country.
Living attached to someone else.

offers...

So far we have gotten offers in three different cities.

Corpus Christi Texas
Omaha Nebraska
Augusta Georgia

All three are great jobs and we think we could be happy anywhere so where do you think we should live?

Creepiest romance ever...

I just saw Twilight and I just have one thing to say...
NO ONE IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD WILL HAVE A MORE CREEPY ROMANCE THAN THOSE TWO WEIRDIES! I had some doozies in my day but that tops them all. Creeeepppppyyyy....

no news...yet...

Sorry everybody that is hanging by a thread just waiting to see whats going to happen to my family-oh wait-that's just me!! We still have no news on pretty much anything. We sort of sold the bullet bike but it fell through. We still dont have orders to move our stuff. We are still interviewing with job prospects but no final offers. We have been told by some crazy lady at PSD (I have no idea what that actually means but its the office that handles getting in and getting out and ID cards and all that sort of paperwork) told us yesterday that the Navy expected us to pay back our bonus um...that's $45,000.00 because we aren't finishing our whole time. Then she said we didn't qualify for separation (severance for the rest of the world) when all along we have been approved to not pay back our bonus because we have put in most of our time and we are also approved for separation. So, now that we have 19 days left nothing has changed except that now we are freaking out and will be living with Jaxons parents till we get a job. I'm sorry to be so bleak but all in all what is what going on; It sounds very negative but in every way this is very challenging. The good part is we are all healty (besides for Jaxons depression which is the reason we are getting out) and the kids are remarkable. We will let you know the MINUTE that we have GREAT news!!

changed my life...

Its mothers day and I can't help but think of my life 6 years ago-unwed and knocked up with Korbin (yes- I said knocked up because that's what you are when you are preggers and not married!) I had just found out that week after taking 14 pregnancy tests and going to the doctor for the 'stomach flu' that just wouldn't go away. I remember sitting on my bathroom floor in my apartment, all alone and wondering what to do next. I sat there holding my flat tummy and knowing that my life was going to change whether I wanted it to or not.
The Saturday I got my first Mothers Day card from Jaxon (whom was at boot camp) I was hooked up to IVs and was so so sick. I had to give up my promotion and I was too sick to stand up straight. I was elated to get that card-it still however wasn't real to me yet. Mothers day that year came and went with me alone in every way. I was alone in the hospital and in my soul.
A few weeks later I went into my ultrasound to find out the sex of this baby from hell. I had lost 13 lbs and was worried that this kid was going to be a bit 'slow' considering some of my past time activities I had before I knew I was pregnant. (don't worry mom I wasn't doing drugs!)So, needless to say I was more than nervous to go to this appointment. I show up and the nurse looks at me and says something like 'Pregnancy is a time for rejoicing, you just might make the world a better place'. I had not once felt that way. I knew I would love it when it came out but up till then-Korbin was baby 'it'. The ultrasound went great and then this tech with the craziest accent Ive ever heard asked if I wanted to know what sex my baby was. I told him 'it' was a boy, that I just knew and he came around the side of me and hugged my shoulders and said 'Yes, sweet momma! You are having a son and he will be glorious and you will a great mother!' In that moment I had a paradigm and my life changed once more. I knew in that second that my horrible twist of fate could be changed and I was going to do whatever it took to be the best mother the world has ever seen. I left with those black and whites on a mission. From then on the ball was rolling! By the time Korbin came (two weeks after his due date-so like him) on November 10, 2003 Jaxon and I had decided to marry and we lived Charleston South Carolina so Jax could go to Nuke school. I had devoured every baby book I could find and went to every class. Yep- I was the chick and the 'How to change your baby' class. And I needed it! But, one of the biggest changes was that I had come back to church. I knew during that ultrasound what religion I wanted to raise my son in and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints was it. Coming back was very hard but totally worth it.
If I had not come back I would never have gotten our Miss. Allie. Almost four years later a prayer was said and the answer was her. In one moment our lives changed again-only this time we were really happy about it and a little more prepared! Which was good being as I delivered Alexzondra exactly 9 months after that prayer! If I could go back I would have done a million things differently but that doesn't mean I am filled with regret. Heavenly Father needed these two children to have me as a mother and BOTH of them came right when they needed to. I love them and I am so humbled and grateful to be their mommy. I think they might just turn out pretty great too!

Just plain tired...

Today Jaxon went to an international job conference in Seattle and had two promising interviews and yesterday he had a fantastic interview as well. It is looking like Jaxon's skills are in demand. That is a great blessing especially in this economy- but we are exhausted. Every few hours one of the head hunters we are working with calls and we rush to various websites to check education, insurance, house values and anything else we can think of and get right back with them to set up interviews or pass. Its always a mad rush because WE ONLY HAVE THREE WEEKS LEFT!! I am going blind. I have literally checked out Baltimore to Corpus Christi and back to Quincy Washington. I personally would really love North Carolina). It seems as if everything looks good in the town then the job is crap or something just is 'off'. We haven't really felt RIGHT about anything. And if we don't start feelin something we are gonna be homeless so we had better get in tune-quick!! I am so tired. I just want to know what is going on with our lives. We still don't have our exact orders yet and we are supposed to leave in 23 days (the problem with that all you non-military folks-is that we can't arrange for packers and movers until we have orders) I am praying we don't get fined for the super short notice we will have no choice but to give. I am happy that Jaxon is putting it to the grind stone and I have to say if I am hunched over the computer delirious about the public education system-or lack thereof-all Jax has to do is put on one of his new suits and I start to feel a tiny bit better!!

Man-nanny for hire!

Multitasking 'Manny' for hire! Out of the U.S. Navy in three weeks and looking for employment.
Does light housework.
No poop of any kind.
Bedtimes a must.
Can fix anything.
Great at cooking.
Creative discipline tactics.
Bow hunting, Numchuck skills (optional and increase wage.)
SUPER FUN!!!!!
Pay negotiable depending on if he eats at your house!

just dont...

I would just like to say after a long exhausting conversation with my mother who is the judge of all things holy (which I am 'very far from') I am very happy with my boudoir pictures that I took for my husband and even though I only posted ONE-which she found extremely inappropriate I would just like to say
IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT I POST-DON'T LOOK AT MY BLOG! THIS IS MY BLOG AND ILL POST WHATEVER I DARN WELL PLEASE!

Sneak Peek

Sneak peek to sexy pictures!! Thanks so much amandakphotography!

Seriously...

My child is either very smart or very slow...
Today in one afternoon he asked
"Do lobsters have eyelids?" Said as if it were imperative to his mental well being.
as well as
"If Tyler's mom pushes out her baby the way you did-can she still pee?" "Can YOU still pee?" said very wide eyed with great concern.
and
"Is Miss. Allie going to grow up and look like you or look like dad because I think your kinda puffy and dad's hair has run away!" Said as if we were looking directly at the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
I love him but he makes us look up the craziest things!!! So to clear up the lobster question- No they do not have eyelids. AND for any of you who watched 'Friends'-when Phobee said that lobsters mate for life and Ross was Rachel's lobster. She was full of crap because the big daddy lobster mates with everybody. He's a man slut-but I wont be telling Korbin that!

Happiness is a fish...

Happiness is a fish is one of my favorite songs from a band called Our Lady Peace and it has nothing to do with this post but I liked it so there it is...
I feel so extremely overwhelmed and at the same time like the Lord will not forsake us. He has delivered us from much worse; but in my mind there are another several thousand families who are faithful, hardworking, and educated who are losing their homes right now and I wonder if this isn't possibly the worst time to get out of the military. It was totally out of Jaxon and my hands and that's a little helpful-I guess. I am in a constant state of panic feeling in a sort that we are preparing to be homeless even though if we don't have a job yet we can stay at Jaxon's folks-that is a last case scenario. BUT, then I walk upstairs and find Jaxon on his cell phone while holding the house phone and typing on line all to different head hunters and various Nuclear Power Companies. I can hear him selling himself and sounding so proficient and eloquent but humble. We have had several opportunities already that I have shot down (get that 'I' shot down) because I am not going to live in a rinky dink down where I have to sew my own son up because they don't have a doctor and I want awesome schools etc...
Right now we have prospects in Baltimore, Oahma, and Corpus Christy. I am looking at everything from the school drop out rate to where a great grocery store chain is. Yet, I am finding that we can be happy anywhere. I know I can suck up a small town for a while or the big city. I know that we will make it and I know that I will have faith that where ever we go is where Heavenly Father wants us. I just hope he wants us there SOON!

Supermodel...

As I sit in my bathtub (which I do at some point daily) ravaging my Vanity Fair, Vogue and Allure magazines (which I cannot live without) I am reading an article on the 'unpretentious' Supermodel Giselle Bunchon. This time I am just praying that we go somewhere warm when we move like the beautiful backdrop for these lovely photos. I am seeing someone who by the worlds standards is the most breathtaking person. Who is a chameleon by trade and can turn a party upside down. Then swiftly entering my place of peace, comes in, the most beautiful creature. Someone who can change daily and throw a party upside down as well. My Alexzondra Renee. I might never understand why we were supposed to live here or if any lives were touched for the better because of us; but I do know that this is where we had our Miss. Allie who is the most amazing daughter. I might never see her in Vogue (I might not want too) but I could be wrong. I just hope she feels loved and magical and beautiful and wanted.
So, I put down Giselle and wrap her and I up in my fluffy bath towel and have a few sacred moments. She is breathtaking and she is mine. Perhaps I will have more love in my heart for this place after all?

The annoying neighbor...

There is this neighbor that lives across the street from the Potter Family who is always asking for stuff. Always pawning kids off on them. Always barging in needing something or asking for help. Always calling needing a 'favor'. That annoying family, my dear friends- IS MINE!
I don't know what I did before they lived here or if I have always been so needy but they save our lives on a daily basis. I think I will miss this family so much more than I realize when we move. Jackie has helped me on silly things-like deciding which shoes to wear; and serious things-like my darkest moments when I just needed her to listen. She is beautiful and so much more balanced than I think Ill ever be.
Kirk has been so wonderful to Jaxon and I think they have become a sort of 'man-buddies' (to the extent Jaxon has friends anyway). Their wonderful boys- Tyler and Derek are a ball to have over. They play so beautifully with Korbin. Usually Miss. Allie just terrorizes them and they put up with it time and time again.
There have been many prayers for this sweet family with the newest addition coming this summer. We are so very sad that we will not be here to meet her but we know that she is coming to the most worthy, giving, fun, involved and delighted parents.
Thank you for allowing our craziness into your lives and bailing us out by giving a cup of milk or by just being great friends. We will miss you dearly and thank you for everything!!
P.S. BTW-can I borrow a 1/2 cup of sugar?

I just love...

I just LOVE
Sleeping Beauty
I think it is done so well and no one can complain about that voice!
I just might sit down and watch it all the way through-that is a feat for me!

Cookies

Now that I am leaving several people have asked for this recipe so here goes, I must add; not to sound bratty but I think that the difference in my cookie recipe is my ingredients! I mostly use super fresh egg from Jaxons parents and I use very strong Mexican Vanilla, and I use Cane Juice Sugar which is exactly like regular sugar its just not refined white sugar. I buy it that at Costco. And everything else besides the Crisco is organic. My friend Jackie said she thought it made a difference but you can make them any which way you would like. And credit goes to my little brother Lee who tweaked this recipe for a few years till he got it right.
1 c. butter flavored Crisco
3/4 c. white sugar
3/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs

cream all that together then add

1 tsp. each of vanilla/baking soda/salt

cream till texture is a bit lighter looking and puffier. add

2 1/2 c. flour

mix in and add a tiny bit if needed but you want it to sit up a bit on your fingers but be sticky.

Add lots of Semi-sweet chocolate chip about 4 hand fulls. Jaxon thinks that the dough should just be there to hold the chips together!

Bake in a 375 degree oven, on a baking stone for 12 minutes. NOW- when you take them out of the oven leave them on the cookie stone for a good few minutes. When you take them out of the oven they should look like they might need a minute more but that's why you leave them on the stone, they will bake slightly but remain the goey, creamy texture.
Put on a wire cookie rack and eat as soon as possible. They are best warm. I have no idea how many they make because we consume half the dough before we are done!
I hope someone one likes these!!! Have a great day. Dang it I am salivating and I am off to the gym!!! AAhhh!