Trunk or Treat

I decided at the last minute (literally) to do Trunk or Treat with Brad's unit. I should say the wives of Brad's unit. I do not get excited about the holidays and I don't know why. But I think having kids is slowly changing me. It was exciting decorating the car and watching Miles' face light up. It was fun having everyone 'ooh' and 'ahh' over our pumpkin patch and thinking Matt was the cutest pumpkin ever. It was especially nice being surrounded by these women who were going through this experience with me.

On another note, it's been 2 months now. Just 5 more to go. I try not think in terms of months we have left but rather 1 more week until we're 1/3 down or 6 more weeks until we're 1/2 down. Haha! I can't wait until the days were we look back at this deployment and think, "that just flew right by" like I can with our other ones. I had some goals for myself and I'm so happy to say I reached one of them! Losing all my baby weight, plus some! Woop woop! Gotta love Jillian Michael's morning workout.

That's about it! Hope to blink my eyes and be on here writing "3 months down." Happy Halloween.

Pumpkin carving

Got a surprise in the mail

It was a thumb-drive from Brad full of pics from where he lives.

Showers. Not private at all!

They call this "the sh*tters". Excuse my French. Gotta love Marine Corps language. They have to burn the poo every night. Brad told me today they are getting a new system in where it won't be as gross.

Chow Hall

'The Easy Day Was Yesterday'

Makeshift gym

Afghani Chicken and Rice. I would not eat this as it looks disgusting but Brad says it's a hit. The only thing is it's not sliced like American chicken. You eat it all, bones included!

Breakfast. Mmmm... too bad nothing is real on this plate.

Brad's bed!

Their new pet bird. He is warming up they say.

Miles is 4!

Miles turned 4 last week and we had a party at Pump It Up. It was such a blast and Miles first real party ever. We split it with a neighbor friend as her daughter's birthday was the same week and we shared so many of the same friends. Here are some pics from Miles' very special day!

1 month down, forever to go.

That's right, 1 whole month down and 6 long months to go before we'll see Brad again. I am trying to dwell on the good so...

Memaw is here! Already the help has been tremendous. I was on SURVIVAL mode with these kids and I hate to say it, but I felt like the kids were suffering because they never got a "refreshed" Mommy, just crazy Mommy! I never slept more than 2 hours a time at night and I haven't had an ounce of personal time to myself the past 30 days. The combination of those 2 things can really make you nutty. That mixed with not having the support of a spouse to help or just plain ol' give you a hug just drug me down. I feel like Memaw needs to wear a superman cape, because that's what she is to me at this point... my superhero!

Miles has completed 2 whole weeks of preschool and he just loves it! They have chapel, playtime, snacks, Bible stories and crafts every day. It's such a sweet preschool. He is turning 4 in about a week. I can't believe it! Brad is sending me a video to play for his birthday for him. I know it will just thrill his heart. We are having a big party at Pump It Up with his neighborhood friends. He'll be so excited because it's his first birthday party ever!

Brad is doing well in Afghanistan. His living conditions are not great though. Actually, they are horrible and that's just him being modest. Sometimes I feel like American's (especially non-military towns) just don't get it. People have gotten so used to the idea that we are in a war and forget that these men are STILL truly sacrificing everything... It can be so frustrating when I hear people complain over the silliest things. Brad's conditions are like this: He eats the same bland MRE everyday. Poops on top of other guy's poop- which is in a big can that has to be burned every night (sorry just keeping it real), has no hot shower, living in over 100 degrees with his military gear on, and sleeping on a rock in a tent full of a dozen men and works 16+ hours every single day, and make sure that he and his fellow Marines don't die on a daily basis. No weekends. I know it's hard on them but they are so strong and never complain. It truly is a service they are doing. If anyone ever wants to send him or his guys a care package, please feel free. Most of the guys in his shop are young and single and could use a sponsor.

They need babywipes, hand sanitizers and any kind of canned food so they can catch a break from the MRE's. I know magazines and things of that nature are a nice distraction too.

Anyway, that's about it for here! Here's to hoping time flies. Fly fly fly!

Brad's unit 2/4 was in the news

Time for T-ball.

This was Miles' 2nd week of T-ball. He just loves it as you can see with the huge smile on his face. I only wish Brad could be here to see his boy play so well. I can't wait until a few years down the line when we have the real games.