One Hundred Years from Now

I have already sent this quote to most of you through email but, I wanted to post it just in case I have some unknown readers or in case I missed someone on my contacts list. I was reading one of my books today and came across a quote that sounded familiar to me but, hit me in the right spot today. I know a lot of us go through struggles from time to time that seem like they will never end. Or, you just can't figure out a way to get around them. If you are like me, you become a grumpy person because of these struggles. And at times, I find myself taking it out on the people around me. (Who is around me most? My children). So, the next time I feel frustrated about a situation such as lack of money, or an unexpected bill, or that I live in base housing and the ants are literally coming out of the wood works, or that I have NO clothes in my closet that fit me without showing my rollie pollies, or that my check engine light came on a week after I bought my car (dont worry, it went out)... I will try to think of this quote to help me be a little nicer....

"One hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in my bank account, or what my clothes looked like. But one hundred years from now the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child." ~Forest E. Witcraft

A Happy Easter

We had a good Easter. We put the kids to bed so early the night before that, I let them color the Easter eggs in the morning. I know, totally nontraditional! They still had fun though so, thats all that matters.
We went and flew kites in the morning for about an hour. They seemed to enjoy that a lot. Rodney Jr. got the hang of it very quickly but Tatum, she was so preoccupied with her necklace that she would let the string go and we'd have to chase after it. When we got home, Wolf met us back at the house and Rodney had hid Easter eggs for the kids, Wolf and I. So, we quickly found the eggs and headed to the beach.
Of course, our spot was taken because we got there too late. So, we tried a new spot outside of the base. It wasn't bad but, it was the first time I saw brown murky water here. I let the kids swim but, didn't go in myself. While we were packing up and taking trips back and forth to the car, a local family invited us to have some of their food. Wolf, of course, grabbed a huge plate right away, (he still has the young guy metabolism), but, Rodney and I were so stuffed from our own food that we really couldn't think of eating another bite. But, we felt obligated so we did anyways. I LOVE the local cooking! I enjoyed it as much as I could being so stuffed!
We came home, put the kids to bed REALLY early, and laid our fat butts down on the couch to watch tv. haha. Sad thing is, we both had a huge bowl of ice cream about two hours later! haha. Definitely going to hit up the gym this week!

Rodney and I at the beach. I look so cute I know!

A cool rock with a tree growing out of it.

Rodney and Tatum swimming with some local kids

The waves at Asan beach were SO HUGE! The biggest waves I've seen so far on the island.

She's something else!

Me looking for my eggs. I REALLY hate this tradition!


Wolf looking for Easter eggs.

The kids finding their eggs.

Easter Egg Hunt

Today my good friend Lauren arranged an Easter egg hunt for the kids. She's amazing! I seriously think she deserves the title "Super Woman". She'll be leaving us in a few months and I honestly don't know what we'll all do without her. I have learned that she has been the glue that keeps us all together. When we showed up at the 'hunt' I was blown away with how many people were there! If I knew that many people on this island, this would be a whole different experience! I can say with total confidence that each and every person there is going to miss Lauren when she's gone. Watch out Amy, you're the next to take the reins! haha.
Rodney and I went on a hunt of our own for about two hours before the 'hunt'. We were searching for the plastic Easter eggs to put candy in. We had to have 10 for each kid. However, we could not find a single one! I wasn't aware that plastic Easter eggs were such a necessity on this island! So, when I went to break the news to Lauren that we wouldn't be able to make it, she, of course, was prepared with 50 extra eggs! I am only sorry that we weren't able to hang out longer. I was so overwhelmed with my monster child (Tatum), stepping all over everyones blankets, picking up everyones baskets, not waiting until the actually 'hunt' started before picking up every egg that she could find.. basically, just being herself. Tristan had his sad face on today. I don't know if it was because he was hot, or if he was hungry or tired, or if it was his tooth coming in the wrong place on his gums, that was bothering him. But, I was holding him with one hand, my camera in the other, and Rodney was trying to balance himself on his crutches while holding Finn, and trying to get Rodney Jr. and Tatum to slow down on eating the candy. (Thank you Jen Miller for holding Tristan for me!) We had fun for the time that we were there and of course I'm happy that I got some good pictures of (almost) everyone! Thanks Lauren for putting this together!

Before the hunt started.

Lets see how many I can grab at once..

Haven. Lauren's daughter.

Mine Mine MINE!!!

Rodney finally just threw down his crutches

Kate and Tatum

Jen holding Tristan while I ran around taking pictures.

Ryland. Amy's baby boy.

Ian. Jamie's baby boy.

Owen and Ali. My new friends that live down the street.

A Couple of Firsts

Announcement: Tatum went poo poo on the potty for the first time yesterday! Big news considering I'm not even potty training her! She said she had to go, I said ok, not thinking she would really do it and, then she did! YEY! Hopefully she continues to potty train herself!

Today I gave Tristan oatmeal for the first time. He really didn't know what to do with it. He just let it sit in his mouth and then would smile at me with a mouthful of goo. haha. He's sleeping 'like a baby' now. Must have filled his belly!

Tristan with his mouthful of oatmeal

Rodney and Tatum with some of their Easter outfits from Grandma Fran

Meet Finn

This is our new puppy Finn, short for Finadene. haha. Finadene is a soy sauce concoction that we learned about here on Guam. Its a combination of soy sauce, vinegar, lemon sauce, garlic, onions, and of course, boonie peppers. Its become our favorite condiment. I wanted a 'Guam' name for the puppy and it was the only thing that I could think of that would sound cute shortened.
Finn is doing good after surgery. Even though he came home on Morphine, he was bouncing around and chasing the kids. He LOVES the kids! He is a whiner, not sure why but, I'm sure its just because he's not used to his surroundings. Last night he curled up on the couch next to Rodney like they have been best friends forever. He stayed in his kennel last night, which at times got noisy, but he didn't have any accidents in there. He had one accident in the house this morning but, I'm guessing its because I assumed his was finished with his business outside and brought him in too early. Right now he's sleeping underneath our couch. He's a good puppy and the kids have been better with him than I expected. So far, Tatum has not eaten any of the dog food! haha.

Finn

He looks like a little fluffy teddy bear

I just decided to throw this pic of Tristan in here. I found him sleeping in his swing in this position. Cute guy.

An Eventful Weekend

We had a VERY busy weekend!! On Saturday, we went to a Make-a-Wish Foundation kite festival. Of course, with Rodney's knee, we didn't make it more than 10 feet away from the car. We set up his chair right next to the car and watched people fly their kites. I felt bad because there was food stands, and bouncy things for the kids but, it was too far for Rodney to hobble his way over there so, we just pulled out Rodney Jr.'s soccer ball and let the kids run around the field. We had to leave before the actual kite show started but, we were able to see some of the kites go up.
Then we ventured to Rodney Jr.'s soccer game. He was not into it all! Poor kid didn't have a nap OR lunch! So, he just stood there with his arms crossed and waited for the game to be over! After the game, we went to our favorite Chinese restaurant for lunch and, silly me, I ordered salt and pepper shrimp for the kids.... they came out with the heads still on them! YUCK! Rodney had to rip off the heads and cut up the shrimp for the kids because I would NOT touch them!
Then, we took the kids to the dog shelter up by Anderson Air Force base. We went to JUST LOOK!!! Of course, everything changed once we got there. We fell in love with one little puppy who was so fluffy and cute and we couldn't leave him there! Especially because a couple just bought his sister the same day! We don't have him here yet though because the shelter has a policy where, we have to make the appointment for him to get neutered, they take them there to make sure it gets done, then we get to pick him up from the vets. It kind of stinks doing it that way because we're going to get a sad puppy but, maybe he'll think that we saved him from the mean people! I always thought that a puppy had to be at least 6 months before they got fixed but, I guess Guam is different. This puppy is only 8 weeks old and he's about to go through the worst day of his life! Poor guy! I didn't take any pictures of him, I wish I had, but, I will post pics as soon as we bring him home!
On our way home from the shelter, we got a phone call to go to a bbq at one of the beaches with Tony and Jenny and a few of their friends. Of course, we had to come home to change into our bathing suits but... stupid me... I assumed that Rodney grabbed my car keys and visa versa so, we locked the car keys in the house! Great! Rodney found a way to break into the house, which really disturbs him now but, I have to say that I was relieved! Well, by the time we got to the bbq the sun was already setting. We didn't even eat, just sat around and talked for a little bit and then had to go because I was starting to get into a lot of PAIN! Yes, I burned myself from being out in the sun all day long and not putting an ounce of sun block on! I am red like a lobster and NOT happy about it at all!
So, today we decided to have our weekly bbq at the beach. (I dont know what I was thinking but, I just wanted the kids to be able to swim). I stayed in the shade most of the time but, I still felt like I had a heater on me the whole time! One point of the day I felt so tired and almost drunk (didn't drink an ounce of alcohol), and decided that maybe it was time to pack up and come home. So, Carl and Wolf came home with us and they are outside right now eating the rest of the food.
Here are a lot of pictures. There are so many good ones so make sure you check the Picasa album tomorrow.

Rodney Jr. playing with a plant at the kite festival.

Tatum tripped over the soccer ball

They got excited when they saw the big octopus kite go up

A pic of me... (before getting burned) yes, I cut off the bottom. My new inspiration for the gym!

Rodney's lovely knee

Danica. So cute!

Rodney supporting St. Patty's day

Tristan knocked out at the beach

Would have been a great pic if my dear husband kept his tongue in his mouth!!

Jer

The group of us.. minus wolf. Notice my facial expression from the pain I was feeling when Rodney put his arm around my shoulder....

me and my baby

sweet boy

Catching up....

Sorry its been so long since I've written anything. I've been spending all my computer time making my moms photography blog. Its done now though! YEY! Looks good too! Nothing much going on around here except for the usual. And no, Rodneys knee is NOT better yet! I feel so bad for him because it is preventing him from doing so much! The say its too swollen to examine it so now he's in a knee immobilizer for the next two weeks. Fun!
I took Rodney Jr to soccer practice on Wednesday and I though it would be simple since I just had Tatum with us.... NO! She is such a monster child! We got there early so I let her run around with Rodney and kick the ball. The poor girl wants to play soccer so bad! (and I think she would be better than Rodney Jr.! Is that mean to say?) But, when it was time for the real practice, she wouldn't sit and kept running off onto the field. And, this little girl does NOT listen to me! She does what she wants when she wants and she doesn't care about the consequences! (I hope this changes before she hits the teenage years!) So, I had to sit her down in my lap, cross my legs around her stomach and hug her sholders so that she couldn't move. Anytime I would let her go, she would take off again. (Thanks Rodney and dad, I'm sure she gets this from the two of you!!) So, we made it through soccer. I canceled a trip to the store after that because there was NO WAY I was taking her out of that car seat until we got home!
Yesterday I made a TON of lasagna thinking we would have a few people over. Well, it just ended up being Rodney's friend Tony and his wife Jenny so, I made a pan of it and took it down to another mom in the neighborhood. Its just her and her little two month old. Her husband is attatched to another ship that is not here on the island! Poor thing! I can't imagine being stuck here without Rodney! And they CHOSE to come here not knowing he would get sent away for almost the whole time! What a kick in the butt!

I didn't know this pic was blurry but, I'm leaving it on here anyways.

My monster child being silly

Tatum wants that ball!

Danica, Tony and Jennys baby girl. Isn't she so cute!