A look back...

Tomorrow  a lot of us will  look back and remember where and what we were doing when the towers fell.

When our world was rocked by the events of 9/11. The devestation as well as the acts of bravery. Our nation coming together. The good along with the bad.

My day was a typical one. Up early, trying to have quiet time before my kids got up. My husband wasn't going to school that day and so he was also still asleep. I turned the tv on for background noise. When I realized that every channel had the same image.

I finally stopped and watched. I couldn't believe it and ran up to wake up my husband. We lay on our bed in utter shock.

My husband was home that day, instead of being at school. Why? He was headed to the US Navy recruiting office to enroll in the collegiate program. Suddenly his decision took on a whole new meaning.

I told him not to go. I was worried. He replied, "this is more reason to go."

Today my husband was promoted from Lt. to Lt. Commander. This is a very big promotion. He has worked hard and he deserves it.

9/11 isn't just a time for me to remember those events. It is also a time to reflect on our life in the military. The good along with the bad.

While I celebrate my husband, and his accomplishments, I also give myself a pat on the back. For nights alone. For celebrating birthdays, holidays and anniversaries spent alone. For holding kids while crying for their Dad. For being both Mom and Dad. For all the tears I held back. And for all those that I let flow. For homecomings.

May we never forget. Never forget the ones who gave their lives that day. Never forget the ones who are still fighting for our freedoms today. Never forget the families that give them support.

Never forget.

Military Family

Kids squished into the car for a road trip to San Fran

Yep, that is our family. A military family. Having my husband gone often means that I have had to do plenty of family trips on my own.

So.not.fun.

However, we love to go places and don't want to spend all of our time at home staring at the walls (:

Not only are we a military family, but we are a larger family. Sometimes budgets don't allow for all the trips I would like to take. So what is a family to do? Well Military Family may just have the answer for you!

Military Family is giving 5 (military) families the chance to win a road trip prize package! Including over $700+ worth of goodies to help you get out the door!

Make sure to enter this awesome contest! What have you go to lose?

Friday Family update

Last week I mentioned that I wanted to start doing a weekly family update. With everyone off doing various things, now is the perfect time to share.

I found out last week that Ben would be returning on the 18th, but wasn't allowed to say anything online. Some people knew through phone calls/emails/texts etc but for the most part, no one knew.

We spent most of the weekend, and Monday and Tuesday preparing for him to come home.


My friends husband was also coming home on the same flight. Unfortunatley, they were arriving at LAX at 7:00 which would put us in LA traffic at 5:00. Yuck, sooo not happening.

Instead we decided to eat an early dinner at a nearby mall. Besides running into some traffic, everything was smooth sailing. We were doing great on time. No one spilled dinner all over themselves. We were doing good.

Until we left the mall parking garage. I was following my friend when she broke the cardinal rule about someone following you..."don't run a yellow" especially when it is a left turn. I completely lost her. Even worse, I hadn't bothered to look up directions for myself, because I was the one following.

We went the wrong way. Harmony gps'ed it for me and we had to turn around. Then we got a little mixed up near the airport. Then we had to find our parking garage. Then we had to find where to go. We ran around like crazy, with me freaking out the whole time, when my friend called to say that they had landed and where was I?

You guessed it, I started to cry. :( I had wanted soo badly to be there. We went to baggage claim, and the next thing I see is Ben walking towards the doors. More tears. We laughed, hugged, cried...and all was right in the world.

After getting all the bags but one, he was told one of his bags was on a different flight coming in within a few minutes. So we all waited very patiently for the bags...

We finally got everything, had crossed the insanely busy crosswalk at the airport, when Ben turns to me and says, "oh yeah, Happy Anniversary".


Yep, it was our 14th wedding anniversary. We were so excited to be together. It was the best anniversary gift I could have asked for!

Oops

It's been a long time since I blogged! I hadn't realized because life has been a touch crazy around here.

There is a LOT going on. Big changes. Big, HUGE changes.

 My husband is leaving for deployment next week. 6 months on my own. So.not.ready!! You would think I would get used to this but I haven't. Since he joined 10 years ago, he has been gone quite a bit. From being gone for a month all the way up to 8.5 months. And what is sad, is that a lot of people have it worse off than me!

Because one big change isn't enough, we decided to throw in another! (:

I am nervous & excited. So here it is, the big news... As of next week, I will be HOMESCHOOLING two of my children!! What the heck! Me a homeschooler? I know, I know. I have always said I couldn't handle it and now I find myself being pulled in this direction.

I have actually been thinking/talking/praying about homeschooling for around 2 years now. I have talked myself in and out of it a lot! But there are a lot of reasons, why I have been feeling now is the right time.

The two kids who are starting this year are Harmony & Connor. We have found a charter school, Bridges, that offers a home school/independent study program. We are given a teacher who helps me set up a curriculum, helps me with lesson plans and basically is just there to help me. Two days a week, they will attend "enrichment classes". They are problem solving, music, language arts, pe, yoga & Connor's favorite: LEGO'S!! Yes there is a Lego class! They are also allowed to go on all field trips, participate in science fairs and anything else that they have going on at the school.

Ethan "hero worships" his current teacher. It is also his last year at the school. Because of that, we have decided to leave him where he is. Ivan was another concern because of his therapies & IEP through his current school. But they can give him the exact same services there. However, changing his routine & schedule is not easy on him. So we have also decided to leave him where he is. Next year, Ethan & Ivan will join us at home.

Am I crazy? Probably. But you know what? I know it is right for our family right now. Maybe it won't always be. Or maybe it will. Only time will tell. We meet with the teacher tomorrow to figure out our curriculum!

Feelin' Feminine Friday

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I sure did and I am enjoying all my leftovers (:

Feelin' Feminie Friday  has been on hold for the past few weeks but is back up again today. So I am taking the chance to join in again. If you are interested in participating, head on over to The American Homemaker.

Over Thanksgiving, I sat down with my husband and watched Captain America. The movie takes place during WW2. I have always loved this era. Something about the Greatest Generation, just gets me everytime. I love to read books, watch movies or hear about that time period.

I think what I love the most is how everyone supported the troops, in any way that they could.

I can not even tell you how many times I have tripped over these!

You might be thinking what on earth does a Super hero movie and war have to do with feeling feminine, right? Well I will tell you why...

Tomorrow my sweetheart leaves for a military field exercise. I don't know how long he will be gone, or when I will hear from him.

While he is gone, not only will I be Mom and Dad, I have that added job of keeping his morale up. While I can't send any pkgs, I have spent the past few days getting him magazines, snacks and movies to take with him. Taking care of my soldier, makes me verrry feminine (:

While you are here, please sign up for my giveaway. Currently there are only 6 entries so your chances are very good! You can find the link here

Happy Memorial Day

I hope we all can take a chance today to remember those who have served, and those who continue to serve today.

Wishing all my readers a very Happy Memorial Day!

5 down...

It's been 5 months since I said goodbye to my husband. He left Nov. 1st for Afghanistan.

It is amazing  how much can happen in 5 months. From holidays to daily life.

A lot of advice is given right before your husband leaves. Stay busy, make time for yourself, hang out with friends, avoid the news, make goals.

When ben left I wrote out a list of goals. For my home, budget, myself...

I have accomplished...zero of them.

Honestly, I pretty much wrote them down and that is as far as it went.

I am not a single Mom, although at times it feels that way. I am only living this life for a few months at a time.

My husband is scheduled to be home around the middle of June. I can't wait!! I miss him so much.

Life will definatley change around here. Spaghettio's aren't always going to cut it for dinner. Piles of clean laundry can't hang out on the dining room table for days. Messes the kids could care less about, my husband won't.

I am rewriting those goals this weekend and am planning to share. No I will not be starting a new blog. This will be my only one. It is just that you will find a major variety of what you will find here (:

life lessons

For the past couple of days I have been watching the news.

It makes my stomach churn to watch what is going on.

Being a military wife, I have been hearing families talk about how they are going to survive on half of a paycheck. Most are living paycheck to pay check in the best of months. Now they are wondering how to pay their rent, get gas, food...It is sad knowing how little some of these families will be getting this next Friday.

Now more than ever, the effects of the economy are really hitting home.

I can't even begin to explain how grateful I am for my STOCKPILES. No matter what happens, I have plenty of food, cleaning supplies, health and beauty items to take care of my family. I havelearned to shop wiser and make my dollars stretch.Our family has been broke before. While my husband was in school, we had 3 kids under 3. All were in diapers, 2 on bottles. Broke doesn't even begin to describe those years. But we learned from those lessons.

 If you are not couponing, you need to be. You never know what is going to happen...an accident, a job loss, unexpected bills...or losing half your income while your husband is deployed.

I will be stepping up my game and will be posting more.

And because of all the negative feelings I want to have some fun! So I am giving away a copy of the book...

( I borrowed this image from Amazon)

"Pick another checkout lane Honey" written by the Krazy Coupon Ladies. (: If you are interested in winning this book, just leave a comment letting me know you want to be entered.

To thine own self...be true

I needed a change. I have been feeling a touch hypocrtical. Let me tell yah why...

I have a family blog. I started it when my husband went on his 1st deployment to Afghanistan. I have had it for a long time. I started participating in a variety of weekly Meme's, geared towards homemaking. Menu Plan Monday, Tackle it Tuesday so on and so forth.

But I felt like my family was probably more interested in reading about my kids and our life instead of about me reorganizing a drawer. Know what I mean? So I created this blog. I wanted a place to record everything but not have it take up room on my other one.

And somewhere between that time and now, I have been tricking people into believing that I am organized. How anyone would get that idea from me...I don't know. Honestly...

**The playroom is always a mess
** my laundry piles are never ending
**more nights than not I go to bed with a sink full of dirty dishes (and counters...)
** I believe my kids should eat a good healthy filling breakfast and 4/5 days a week that is usually something that starts with a "c"
**I shop with coupons and refuse to pay more than .25 for a toothbrush, but will drop $20 for a book...or to see the newest Harry Potter movie...twice.
** I can be incredibly LAZY. People think since I have 5 kids I must be always moving...4/5 of them are in school all day. And when they come home, they head straight to the playroom (see above).
** I drink way too much caffeine.
**I watch too much tv, am on facebook way too often and am addicted to my Kindle app and Tetris on my ipod.

I AM JUST A MOM. TRYING TO DO HER BEST! ( I realize all caps means I am yelling but I am not yelling, I promise (:

From this point on,this blog is no longer called Martha Wannabe. It is called Just a Mom. Because that's what I am. There are a million and one people who are better at homemaking than I am. They just haven't started blogs! They probably should though...and if they do I will point you in their direction.

I realize that I have been long winded but, I have one more thing to say. When I was in high school and college, and writing essays was an every day occurence, my Mom and sister, teachers etc. would all tell me to "write what you know". So I wrote essays about what it was like to work at a Dairy Queen on the hottest day in July, or about how much money I can spend on shoes...and can I tell you, I still have people talk to me about those essays today.

I "don't know" about a perfectly organized and clean home.
I "don't know" about gourmet meals every night.
I "don't know" the perfect way to get your kids to clean up their rooms. Trust me on this one.
I "don't know" how to find the perfect balance in life.

But I do know how to try, and keep trying.
I do know how to take advice. It may be abandoned later, but I do try it.
I do know how to get dinner on the table quick when Cub Scouts started 5 minutes ago.
I do know how to shop with coupons.
I do know how to be a friend.
I do know how to be a sister.
I do know how to be a daughter.
I do know how to be an LDS woman.
I do know how to be the mother of 5 kids.
I do know how to be a mother of an autistic child.
I do know how to be a military wife.

I do know how to be just Marie.

So if you are interested in all that, read on. I am glad you are here.

Those dreaded D's

Over the summer, I shared this post about deployment and depression. While certainly not the most UPLIFTING post I have ever written, it is a necessary one.

My Seabee has now been gone for a month. Some days have been verrrry long, while the weeks have flown by. He has already missed so much and it amazes me at what all can happen in a month!

I was talking to a friend of mine, whose husband is in the same unit (NMCB3) with mine and it was funny how we both have been going through the same feelings.

The first week, I ran this house with a no nonsense attitude. It was my way or the highway.

The second week was full of tears, anger and frustration.

The third was hard but a routine was getting under way.

The fourth, brought preparations for Thanksgiving and sick kids.

I spent Thanksgiving week/weekend surrounded by loved ones. Yet at times felt very lonely. Half of my heart is in Afghanistan.

With Christmas coming up, I know this month will be another rough one. HOWEVER I am determined to make the best of it. Life is what we make it.

I just wanted you to know that I am still here. I appreciate all the sweet comments, prayers and love that we recieve. They are all felt and much appreciated!

*************************************************************************

If you are looking for a way for you or your family to perform some service this season, think of the military families who are home without their loved one. Maybe a plate of cookies, an offer to babysit for an hour or two, a shoulder to cry on or just lend an ear. Make sure to have tissues close by! Our soldiers need support but so do the hometown hero's. It doesn't have to cost a penny but can mean so much!

Book Review

**While I recieved this book for free, I am not being compensated financially for this review**

Being a military wife, I was very excited to be able to review the book

The American Patriot's Almanac by William J. Bennett and John T.E. Cribb

I have to be honest in saying that I have never looked at an almanac before this. So I don't know how they normally work.

The American Patriot's Almanac goes from month to month and shares some of the major events in our country's history. The format is easy to follow with 365 entries. You can read one a day, or just dive in! While at first it may look intimidating ( a hard back book with well over 500 pages) you can never judge a book by its cover right?!

While not a book that I would snuggle up with, I found this to be an interesting read. Lots of interesting stories and facts. Every day (or entry) you can read up on the stories that made our country what it is.

One of the parts that I really enjoyed about the book is the "American History Parade" at the end of each entry. Written in a bullet point format it gives you a quick look at dates and events.

From the Revolutionary War, to when Nascar started, there is something for everyone!

Ever since high school I have loved reading about American history. Thanks to the National Treasure movies, my kids also love history.

I am grateful to have had the chance to read and review this book.

If you have a history lover in your family ( I have a few!) this would make a great gift!

I also just have to say that I appreciate the dedication, " to the families of the American Ssoldier, families who, for love of country, have sacrificed in countless ways." It is dedicated to me (:

Thanks to Book Sneeze for the opportunity to review this book!

Faith Deployed

As many of you know, my husband is currently serving in Afghanistan. We have made it through 1 week with over 29 more to go!

He is very busy and is hardly sleeping. The lines for the galley are long. The comforts of home are seriously lacking.

I am so, so, proud of him. He works so hard and sacrifices for our country.

While he works hard over there, I am here. Being a military wife is one of the hardest jobs you could ever love. I just got an email from a fellow military wife, and she said, " I feel so lonely. Sometimes I would rather be on the front lines than fighting the war at home."

Over at Cooking With Libby, there is a giveaway for military spouses, to win the book Faith Deployed. I would love to win this. We at home need all the encouragement we can get.

If you are a military spouse, and are interested in this book, you can head over and enter yourself. Or you don't have to and then my chances of winning are better! (wink*wink)

As we celebrate Veterans Day tomorrow, I hope that you will keep not only our service members, but their families in your prayers!

Service Project

(My husband took this picture when he was serving in 2006. The weather is so hot and they wear so many clothes and gear. I can't imagine how hot it is.)



One of the blogs that I love to read, is The American Homemaker. Right now, she is looking for people who are willing to send care packages to a unit who is serving in Afghanistan.

While Ben was serving in Afghanistan, I sent him a huge care package every month. He also recieved pkgs, letters, emails and cards while there. Not just from me but from friends and family. While he may have had times where he felt lonely, he knew he was loved. With another deployment coming up way to fast, my heart and thoughts are with those who are overseas.

I know that there are many soldiers who are serving overseas who have no family support. It makes me so sad for them!

So, let's show them support! Stop by Angie's blog, and get all the info. These men and women can really use your support.

My family will be putting one together to get it sent out. It is a great way to teach our kids service.

**She also has an option to pay pal her and she can get a pkg out for you!

You can find all the info at The American Homemaker