WHEN IN DOUBT, PULL IT OUT

THIS IS NOT A SEXUAL JOKE, IT IS ABOUT GARDENING!!

Candace and Tami...Two peas in one pod

We always have a good time when we are together. We cut up and laugh and smile and take care of each other. That's what friends are for.

This is my mom and my husband. I love the both of them.

Whats meant to be will be.

This is my mom
Ok, many people know this about me except the people who read this but it has always been a dream of mine to have a daughter. When I found out that I was having a second boy I was devistated. I used to cry when anyone would make a comment about me not having a little girl, especially when my husband would say that he was glad that we didnt have one. Latley, since I've been a single mom for the last three months, I have realized that I should be thankful for what I have and love the boys that I was meant to have. But....on my myspace, there are 4 of my friends that are pregnant and 3 of them are having girls. I mean, come on. Whats my problem? I will always wonder why I wasnt given the chance to have the bond of a mother and a daughter. I mean a part of me feels like I'm missing out on something. I know that I would have to put up with the sassiness, the periods, the sex talks, the where does the tampon go conversation, the mom I'm pregnant conversation and the I got my heartbroken breakdown of tears. I know that there would be nights where I would worry if she was out with the right people, if anyone was taking advantage of her, if she hated me for not letting her dress the way all the other girls dress these days. I know there would come a time where she wouldnt need me anymore and there may even be the time when I realize that she might be more of a daddys girl. For all the reasons that I can come up for not having a daughter, in my heart there are more reasons to have one. I can dream of having a baby girl, that bond, but will it ever happen for me? The answer, probably not!! So, the moral of my complaint is: For those of you who do have a daughter, embrace every second with her and remember that the bond that you have, either now or later is something that not everyone can say that they experienced in their lifetime. Be happy for her when she says daddy first, know that she doesnt hate you when you ground her for sneaking out, cry when she cries because some stupid boy broke her heart, and give her that shoulder that she needs. When she's 19 and wants to get married to a boy you havent met, support her, when she has her first baby, be there, no matter what. Remember that daughters, if they know their mothers love them, always need their mother!! I know because I'm 26 and I still need my mom. I call her when I need to cry, I call her when I have good news, I call when I need to vent. I remember her smell, I can hear her voice in my head and I know exctly what she would say if she really knew how I was as a teenager......UN FUCKING BELIEVABLE. I love my mom and am very thankful that she had a daughter.

Jammin

Bust a Move

Christopher, Jake and Matthew wanted to show us their moves....these boys have white boy rhythm!!

ROCK ON CHRISTOPHER!!

So many paint colors

When we bought the house the kitchen was red, then I painted it a sand color and now I have painted it green. Maybe it will be another color in the future but for now its staying green. Thank god my husband approves or I would be in big trouble.

You know your marine is deployed when...

1. You wear old sweatpants and sweatshirts to bed.

2. You can watch whatever you want on TV without arguing with him first.

3. You get up in the middle of the night to check your e-mail or you stay on the computer all night waiting for them to get on.

4. You sleep with your cell phone in case he calls in the middle of the night.

5. You love watching cute love movies because it reminds you of all the cute things he does when he's home.

6. You haven't shaved your legs in weeks.

7. The mailman knows you because you are always out waiting for him to come.

8. You start paying close attention in class when the words "military" or "Iraq" are mentioned.

9. You suddenly have an obsession with anything military related.

10. You see someone wearing an army, navy, or USMC shirt and you get this overwhelming urge to talk to them.

11. You make friends with strangers online just because they are in the same situation as you and are the only ones that can truly understand what you are going through.

12. You can't decide what to wear when you meet him at the airport because his flight comes in at a ridiculous hour in the morning and you want to look cute, but not too cute, because your cutest outfit you want to save for your first full day together.

13. Your first Christmas together is.... apart.

14. You find yourself checking your e-mail every fifteen minutes. (hah more like every 5!!!)

15. You know all the time differences between where you are and Iraq, Ireland, Kuwait, Italy, Germany, Korea, and every state in the U.S.

16. The highlight of your day is getting a letter that was mailed a month ago.

17. And if you don't get a letter, the highlight of your day is writing him a letter that you know he will be able to read in a month.

18. You realize that HOMECOMING is so much more than a football game.

19. You want to hit any happy couple you see together.

20. You get excited about "unknown" phone numbers calling you

21. You've exhausted every idea a brain could have of what to put in a box.

22. You see a "support our troops" sticker on a car when you are stuck in traffic and you find yourself guessing about who they know that is deployed and thinking about their entire life story.

23. When the clock says 11:11, you find yourself wishing for the same thing every time: a call from your soldier.

24. You get excited when its only 9 months until you see your soldier instead of 12!

25. You can't stand girls that talk about missing their boyfriends who live a few hours away. You just want to yell "drive and go see them" because if you had the chance, you would jump on the first plane to go see your soldier no matter how far it is.

26. You don't know what teams are on top for football, basketball, etc.

27. You wouldn't dream of walking out of the house without the cell phone and every number you have is forwarded to that cell.

28. You find yourself randomly crying from just looking at a picture of the two of you together.

29. You find yourself randomly crying and you sometimes have no idea why.

30. You stay on the Internet for hours searching for anything and everything about the military.

31. You talk to your friends about him so much that they know his full name, birthday and even his favorite color.

32. You are reading this and smiling and nodding because you know it's so true!

33. You sleep with his favorite blanket so often it's starting to smell less like him and more like your perfume

You Know You're From California When

* The fastest part of your commute is down your driveway.

* You were born somewhere else.

* Your car has bullet-proof windows.

* Left is right and right is wrong.

* Your monthly house payments exceed your annual income.

* You need a new TV, you can run down to the local riot and pick one up.

* You dive under a desk whenever a large truck goes by.

* You can't find your other earring because your son is wearing it.

* You drive to your neighborhood block party.

* Your family tree contains "significant others."

* Your cat has its own psychiatrist.

* You see 25 lawyers chasing an ambulance.

* More than clothes come out of the closets.

* You go to a tanning salon before going to the beach.

* Your blind date turns out to be your ex-spouse.

* More money is spent on facelifts than on diapers.

* Smoking in your office is not optional.

* You pack shorts and a T-shirt for skiing in the snow, and a sweater and a wetsuit for the beach.

* When you can't schedule a meeting because you must "do lunch."

* Your children learn to walk in Birkenstocks.

* Rainstorms or thunder are the lead story for the local news.

* You'll reluctantly miss yoga class to wait for the hot tub repairman.

* You consult your horoscope before planning your day.

* A glass has been reserved for you at your favorite winery.

* When all highways into the state say: "no fruits."

* All highways out of the state say: "Go back."

* Your coworker has 8 body piercings and none are visible.

* You take a bus and are shocked at two people carrying on a conversation in English.

* Your child's 3rd-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Breeze.

* You've been to a baby shower that has two mothers and a sperm donor.

* A really great parking space can totally move you to tears.

* A low speed police pursuit will interrupt ANY TV broadcast.

* Gas costs $1.00 per gallon more than anywhere else in the U. S.

* A man gets on the bus in full leather regalia and crotchless chaps. You don't even notice.

* Unlike back home, the guy at 8:30am at Starbucks wearing the baseball cap and sunglasses who looks like George Clooney really IS George Clooney.

* Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.

* Your hairdresser is straight, your plumber is gay, the woman who delivers your mail is into S & M, and your Mary Kay rep is a guy in drag

* You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cells or pagers.

* The Terminator is your governor!

*You make over $300,000 and still can’t afford a house.

*You speak Spanish, but you’re not Mexican.

*You can’t remember … is pot illegal?

*Both you AND your dog have therapists, psychics, personal trainers and cosmetic surgeons.

*You drive next to a Rolls Royce and don’t notice.

*You eat a different ethnic food for every meal.

*If your destination is more than 5 minutes away on foot, you’re definitely driving.

*Calling your neighbors requires knowing their area code.

*You know what “In-’N-Out” is and feel bad for the other states that don’t have any.

*You don’t stop at a STOP sign, you do a California roll.

*You’ve partied in Tijuana at least 3 times and you can’t remember at least 1 of them.

*Your have a permanent impression on the side of your head from your cell phone.

*You know that Venice is a beach

*The waitress asks if you want “carbs” in your meal.

*You know who the tinsel underwear dude in Venice Beach is.

*You classify new people you meet by their Area Code. An “818” would never date a “562” and so on…

*You call 911 and they put you on hold.

*You have a gym membership because it’s mandatory.

*The gym is packed at 3pm … on a workday.

*You think you are better than the people who live “Over the Hill.” It doesn’t matter which side of the hill your home is, you are just better than they are.

*You know that if you drive two miles in any direction you will find a McDonald’s or a Starbucks.

*You know what “sigalert,” “PCB,” and “five” mean.

*If you drive here illegally, they’ll take away your driver’s license. If you’re an illegal alien, they want to give you one!

You Know You're A Marine Wife When...

1. You can figure out how to buy groceries for 5 on a budget for 2.

2. You can read your husband's LES better than him.

3. The dispersing clerk knows you by first name.

4. Your children were all born in different hospitals.

5. Your child's first words are commisary, PX, and 7 Day Store.

6. Your children call every Marine "Daddy".

7. Instead of arguing, you ask you spouse when is his next deployment?

8. You can pack a seabag with all his belongings better than he does.

9. You can decorate anywhere with anything ... and for cheap!

10. You know that there is a way to be a 1 car family and still keep
your sanity.

11. Your Marine invites the new kid in the shop over for a home cooked
meal with 1 hour's notice

12. You actually impress that new kid in the shop with what you whipped
up!

13. You can tell which squadron has night flight just by the flight
pattern over your house.

14. You know to start packing when he says, " Honey, guess what?"

15. You know the exact amount of postage for the weekly care package
without weighing it.

16. You know to believe he is home when he calls you to tell you where
to pick him up.

17. When you married your Marine, your civilian family asked you for a
translation dictionary!

18. You only use pencil in your address book for friends.

19. You sit alone at night wondering how is day is goin in Japan.

20. You heave a sigh for all he is missing.

21. You wipe a tear for the rose he gives you with the note that says,
"For all you do."

22. You stand tall when you hear the Hymn.

23. You cry only once he's back home.

24. At your highschool reunion, you proudly boast you'd never trade
places with anyone.

25. You know that "Semper Fi" has a special meaning for you and your
spouse.

Their smiles could melt you!!

Couldn't hold em down, even from conception!

Introducing Mattasaurus. My Matthew is 3 and is my handful. My handful of joy, laughter, tears and fustration. His hugs are the best because he hugs you with little arms and a big heart. Dady cals him Short Stack. We have always heard that good things come in small packages and he is one of the best things in life. Matthew is stubborn, fiesty, loving and emotional. Again just like mommy. Matthew will also tell you how it is. If he dont want you around he'll let you know. I have no idea where he got that from. This kid right here, will say the funniest things, and things you wouldnt believe a 3 year old would be able to come up with. Matthew, I love you Bubba!!

I may not hold his hand forever, but I'll have his heart always!

This is Chrisasaurus. He is my baby boy. He just turned 5 and is my man of the house right now. He is bossy and moody and cuddly and caring. He is a drama king where as mommy is the drama queen. Christopher looks just like his daddy and has ever since he was born. I love this kid and he loves his mommy. He will tell anyone how it really is and doenst hold back on his feelings. If he is hurt you will hear him scream from a mile away. If you hurt his feelings, he will tell you so. He is my angel and often when I have no one by my side I can go into his room and see him there, being peacefull and innocent. I love you Christopher!!

I've been tagged.

Seven things no one would know about me:

1. I like all the light switches in the house to be down when the lights are off and up when the lights are on. It drives me nuts to have them any other way.

2. I would rather scrub a toilet than garden and get my hands in the dirt.

3. I cant walk for more than half a mile. Something medical and I have never had it checked out.

4. I dont like to eat new foods and I like what I like and that's the way it is. I dont like melted cheese unless its on pizza or in lasanga. I hate tomatoes but love ketchup. I love steak but it has to be cooked like beef jerky. And I wont eat anything that has the conisistency of vomit in a bowl.....YUCK!!

5. Like Cindy says, as much as I hate to paint, I do it a lot. I guess that's because I am keeping myself from spending all the extra money that Steve is making by being where he is. Which by the way isnt reall working because I'm spending all the money on paint. Also, when I'm done painting, I'll step back and secretly hate it.

6. My nickname in high school used to be Candy Ass. Or Van Poop. My maiden name is Van Plew.

7. I dont really think that any actors are as good looking as my husband. Well, there's one. Channing Tatum...if you dont know who he is look em up. Oh my goodness.....but still...my husband is the best looking guy on the earth. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder!!


Alright this was easier than I thought. Tammy its your turn.