Seventeen and counting!

So Joey had a birthday this month! His feet are planted firmly in the forties for several more years, and he's handling it beautifully - from the bottom of his feet to the top of his slightly graying hairline!

His birthday was also our anniversary. Seventeen years already!
Wonderful years that seem to have flown by . . .

Joey and I had dinner at our fav spot in the Springs - Marigold's!

Filet Mignon

Double Chocolate Mousse Cake

Then the girls gave us our gifts!
They had been working on them, in secret of course, for quit a while.

Shelby presented us with artwork!
She had Super Heroes for dad -

It's a bird, It's a plane . . .

And what's a hero without a villain?!

Then she dreamed up her own version of Van Gogh's "Starry Night" for me!

Beautiful!

Madison decided to try her hand at writing poetry . . .

"Birthday"

"My dad likes a lot of things,
He likes the roar of the ocean, and hot wings.
He likes American history, and when birds sing.
He likes Florida heat, and wet sand under his feet.
He likes video games, and bragging he can't be beat.
And something I found out about my dad, 
don't tell anyone, but he can be really sweet!

He plays with his best friend Buddy.
And when he talks to him, it's really funny.
He likes to grill outside when it gets sunny.
He likes 80's music, and butter mixed with honey.
He loves my mom, when she sits by his side,
on the beach where they watch the ocean's tide.

But before it gets too late,
Here are some things that he kind of hates.
Loud people acting crazy, especially teenagers.
And when people are troublemakers.
Coming home to dirty houses,
or having to check his boots for mouses.
Cold, wet snow and ice on the car,
having to walk very, very far.

Then there are things he can't live without!
Here are some that I've figured out.
Coffee, for one, with lots of creamer.
The dog - he's funny 'cause he's a dreamer.
My sister Shelby, and being able to tease her.
My mom. I know because he's always trying to please her.
His mom and sisters and family,
And that leaves just one - that would be me!
I wrote this poem that I'm reading to you,
To say, dad, that we all love you too!"

The funniest part of the poem? Maddie had actually written a note to herself at the bottom of the page saying,
"Wait for tears of joy to stop, then make the traditional crack about him getting old!"

Love it!

Love those girls!

Love my husband!

Love my life!!!

I pray God blesses us with many more years of laughing and learning and growing together.









(Just a little disclaimer - Joey only has to check for critters in his boots when he's deployed!
My housekeeping isn't that bad!)

Move over Martha!

Yep, it's been a while.

Nope, we're not in Germany yet.

Yep, we're still going.

Nope, don't know when.

I learned a long time ago that all experienced military wives plan their lives in pencil!
Constant changes are the norm, flexibility is key.

Because of Obama budget cuts this, and fiscal year changes that, our Europe report date has changed about four times.

No biggie. Colorado Springs is a great place to "wait".

However, me being ... well, me... I sometimes have trouble controlling all this pent up nervous energy!

We were all set to go. Had already started packing up boxes for storage, donated several car loads to the thrift store, sold Moby (that would be our white yukon), and were already buying the appropriate cold weather gear for the snowy Alps! (Woohoo!)

Then we had to put on the brakes!
I'm in full-tilt Let's Roll mode, and Uncle Sam all of a sudden want's to give it another couple of months!

We've known about the move since Christmas. The excitement level has been through the roof.
You can't just flip a switch on that!

What to do?

I started looking around and realized, all those "get to it someday" projects had better get got to!
It dawned on me that I'm going to be four years without a Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, or Hancocks in sight!
(sniffle, sniffle)

Sooo, here's what I've been doing the last few months;

Made shoulder bags for Maddie ...

and Shelby using a few of Joe's old uniforms.

Made a throw for Joey using a couple of old sweaters.

Our old dining table had seen many, many, better days, so
we picked this up at the thrift store for 20 bucks!

A little help from my worker elves...

we painted and recovered our old chairs to match.

We love it!

The movers pretty much destroyed our filing cabinet.

So I turned it into a reading bench for Maddie! All her
books, so far, fit in the drawer underneath.

Can't blame this one on the movers. Had a
big scratch in the finish, so found a
poster to cover.

Don't have a before shot. It was a moss green
5 drawer chest. 2 drawers broken.
Shelby likes it better as a sweater cubby!

She can't wait to see Paris!

She had a nice wall poster...

that we decided to turn into a "window"!

Joey's words to live by, with a little flair!
It was fun to paint again.

Since the old file cabinet had a new life, we found this
one at the thrift store.

Refinished, it looks great with the desk!

Gave my nightstand a penthouse!
Maybe I'll tackle a headboard next!

Found a hideously ugly, but oh so comfy, chair
at the thrift store for Bo. Fabric left over from
the dining room chairs, and voile!

I've had these in the closet for 8 years!
Pitiful, I know. But we finally framed them!

The girls first finger paintings!
They were 4 and 6 at the time.

Frames are another great thrift find! So cheap - and easy to refinish or re-size.

I've mentioned the thrift store several times.
That's another thing you learn in the military - Never buy new furniture!
You will move. It will be damaged. Save yourself the heartache.

*

We should have a definite move date soon. We know we'll be there for the new year, but that leaves a big window!
Thank God that until then I've got plenty to keep me busy!

Martha Stewart's got nothing on an Army wife with power tools and time on her hands!!!