Operation Kid Comfort part 2

Back in 2011 I contacted the Armed Services YMCA about creating a Operation Kid Comfort quilt for Booger. He calls it his daddy blanket. You can read about it here. I was so very happy with how Booger's turned out that I wanted one created for Pretty Girl. Well, let me tell you.....it has taken over a year, but the day has finally come.....her quilt is here!!!! I couldn't be more happy with how it turned out! It's so cute! Plus with M gone at training right now, the timing is perfect. I can hear her talking to her "daddy blanket". It is so cute!!!

I think it's a great volunteer organization! Go check them out!

Sunshine Award Woo hoo!!!!!

Thanks to the super sweet Jen over at The Adventure of Our Army Life nominated me for the Sunshine award! Thanks so very much!!!!

The Rules Are:
1. Include the award logo in your post
2. Link to the person who nominated you
3. Answer 10 questions about yourself.
4. Nominate 10 bloggers to receive the award.


Here are my 10 questions:
1. What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear to end up alone in life.

2. Are you a night owl or an early bird?
I used to be a night owl and I guess I still am, but with the kids I now sometimes have to be a morning person. I'm not a fan.

3. If you could change one thing from your past what would it be?
I think it would be that I didn't live in either a large city like New York or didn't do a study abroad program. I would have loved to live in England, even if it was just for a short time.

4. Do you have any pets, if so what kind?
We have a cat named Trevor and a shit-zu puppy named Roxy.

5. Did you do everything you wanted to do this summer?
I think I did a pretty good job of completing my summer list. I was proud of what I completed this year.

6. What is your favorite song?
Don't stop believing by Journey

7. If you were on a deserted island what 3 things would you take with you?
My kids and husband. Sun screen (I burn easily). A trunk full of books.

8. Would you rather cook or go out to eat?
Eat out, only because I don't like to cook. But I have to cook to eat healthy and to save money.

9. What is your dream car?
A blue Camaro. Or a 50s ford truck (the bubble kind)

10. If you could have any job in the world what would it be?
I like my job. But I would not mind being my own boss of a successful business.

I am going to nominate anyone who would like to participate. Sorry my brain is fried at the moment. My ten questions are:
1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?
2. If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?
3. If you could meet anyone dead or alive, who would you meet?
4. What is your favorite animal?
5. What is your favorite movie?
6. What is your favorite TV show?
7. Read any good books lately, if so, what?
8. What is one item you could not live without?
9. What is your favorite Disney movie?
10. Favorite place to relax.

Please leave me a comment if you are going to participate so I can read your answers! I can't wait to read what you all write. :)

Good night!!!! 

Weekend recap

The kids and I had a pretty good weekend.

We have had quite a bit of rain lately. Which meant that our streets started to flood. In the three + years I have lived in this house, I have NEVER seen our streets flood. It was quite the sight!

L- the view from our house, top right, our road on my way to preschool, bottom r- one street, two down from us, flooded

We have more rain today, let's hope I don't go home to this again. I'm also praying our power is on. We lost it a few times at school today.

They both woke up pretty early, which isn't like them, but it allowed us to get a lot done this weekend. We spent time with my aunt on Friday who was down visiting. Saturday was spent at my mom's house swimming and having lunch, then we returned home and I worked on my Origami Owl business. (p.s. I already have TWO parties planned!!! I cannot wait for my business to start soaring!!! Let me know if you would like to host an online Jewelry Bar!)

Sunday, again the kids woke up pretty early, so we were off to my mom's to swim and spend time with her. My grandma came down to watch the kids and interacted with them. It was really sweet to see. She has been having lots of health issues lately, so seeing her actually talk to the kids was really nice. We ate some good food and just relaxed. Then it was home to mow the grass, wash the dog and kids and watch ANOTHER Harry Potter movie, complete with popcorn. Booger is obsessed with Harry Potter right now, not quite sure where the obsession comes from, but if he behaves throughout the day, then we watch a little bit of a movie before bed. Last night I decided to make popcorn to go with the movie. A perfect way to end a good weekend.

Top left- reading a story with great-grandma, top right- had to get this baby out again, bottom left- the kiddos and me at my mom's house, bottom right- pretty girl just after her swim. 

I hope you all had a great weekend too!!!!

My kit arrived!!!

I am over the moon today! My starter kit for Origami Owl arrived in the mail yesterday! Last night the kids and I went through my new kit. I cannot put into words how excited I am about this new adventure that I am on! I just LOVE this company and their product!!!!

Opening my box! It was like Christmas!!!!

Top picture is all of the fun stuff, charms, boxes, menus. Bottom is on top of all of the fun stuff and holds the lockets

I also created my own Living Locket.
I chose:
*"mom" charm, because I'm a mom to two beautiful children
*"crown" charm, because every girl has a princess inside
*"heart family" charm, because I love my family. They mean the world to me.
*"red heart" charm, because it's pretty.
I put all of my charms in the small silver locket with a small silver chain. I just love it!

I will be announcing my business on Facebook I think on Friday!!!! I will also be hosting my launch party soon! I just cannot wait! I have my binder of resources set up and I think I am ready to go!

I hope you are all having a great Thursday! One more day until Friday!!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

I just had to stop by and share some uber cute pics of my kids. Too bad Booger wasn't too up for the camera today, but Pretty girl was. :) Enjoy and Happy Hump Day!!!!

Ms. Angie did her hair at preschool the other day

Too cool for school....he said "cheese" AFTER I took the picture

She actually let me do her hair this morning!!!!!

Happy Wednesday y'all

Such exciting news!!!!

I can't believe I can finally say I am an Origami Owl Independent Designer!!!!!! I signed up over the summer and was put on the waiting list. I am happy to announce that I am finally a full fledged Designer!!!! I think this company is pretty amazing. How many companies can say they were founded by a 14 year old girl??? Not many. Not to mention I just LOVE these lockets and how you can personalize them!!! I am still in the process of learning all of the ropes, but with the holidays coming up, if you are interested in purchasing one or hosting a Jewelry Bar, just let me know!!!!!

My site is www.kathrynb.origamiowl.com You can also email me with any questions you might have at mylifeasareservearmywifeblog@yahoo.com.
You can also find me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OrigamiOwlKathrynBIndependentDesigner


Well, I'm off to spend the last day with my hubby before he leaves us for a month. I hope you all have an amazing Sunday!!!!!


P.S. Can you tell I'm excited????

9/11 and other thoughts

I, like most people, remember where I was when I heard of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. I was sitting in my college math class. When I returned to my dorm after class, I found my roommate sitting on our futon glued to the TV. Our campus was promptly shut down for the rest of the day. It still shocks me to think of that day and the horrors many people faced. I cannot believe it has been 12 years since that day, it seems like almost yesterday. I know I will never forget those heroes we lost that day and those we continue to lose in wars fought around the globe.

On another note, our local country station is raising funds today to help the heroes at home and abroad who are from our community. I think it's great! On my way into work, after my daily phone call to my mom, I turned the radio back up and this song was playing. (p.s. if you don't want to cry today, please don't listen to the song)

I remember this song coming out when M was deployed and I was pregnant with our daughter. I believed I listened to it only twice because it would upset me that much. Today, I listened to the whole song, with tears streaming down my face. It's amazing how a song can transport you back in time. In a time where, due to my husband's job, I was so afraid my husband would not return to me, a time when I was afraid our children would grow up never knowing their father. I am thankful to say, he did make it home (although not the same) and I thank God every day for keeping him safe. That my children have their father home with them, to play with them and teach them new things.

Today holds tons of memories for me, memories I will never forget. I will always be thankful to those who ran into those buildings to save people without thinking of themselves. I will always be thankful to live in a country that is free because of the brave who have sworn to protect us.

I will never forget to remember.

Weekend Recap

Ah the weekend. Where you are supposed to spend time with family and relax. I did end up spending time with family, but I don't feel like I relaxed all that much. Thursday night we found out M would be leaving us shortly for a month long training. While it means extra money, it also means he will be away from us again. We should be used to it by now, and I think Booger is, but Pretty Girl had a hard time adjusting to M coming home the last time. She isn't used to him coming and going like Booger is. So, let's hope this will be an easy transition.

Friday we went over to M's parents house. If you have been a reader for while you know we haven't been on the greatest terms with them until recently. I'm not sure what changed, but we have been slowly letting them back into our lives. It seems to be going well so far, so I generally try to encourage M to spend time with his parents. Booger is always in heaven when we are there because he gets to play with my nephews, who Booger thinks are really cool. :) Pretty girl has finally started to warm up to them, which is nice.

Saturday we were supposed to get up and go to a train expo together (M LOVES trains as does Booger), but due to M having trouble sleeping the night before, he didn't get up in time for me to join them. Pretty girl decided to pick out her own outfit that day and it was super cute. I swear she has more fashion sense than I do. Not sure where she got it from. :)

The lace top is supposed to go with another outfit that was dirty at the time. But she is obsessed with this lace top

I had to leave at a certain time to go to a training. It was boring, but I'm thankful two of my good friends are taking the training with me, which makes it more bearable. After my training I ended back at my in-laws and spent the remained of the evening there.

Sunday was spend cleaning the house, doing some laundry (not all of it got done), spending some time with my mom and of course ending back at my in-laws later that night.

Pretty girl and one of my nephews "reading' together. She was copying everything he did, even down to the tilt of the head and the kicking of the feet. It was super cute.

I am hoping we will be staying home at least one night this week. I doubt I will be over there much once M is gone. I don't feel as comfortable there as I once did. We shall see. I am looking forward to some much needed time with my mom.

Over all it was a good weekend. I wish I had gotten more done around the house, but mending family ties I believe is more important than doing laundry.

Did you all have a great weekend?

Friday Letters

It's Friday again, which means it's time for Friday Letters :)

Dear husband: It sucks you have to leave us for a month. It would be nice to get more than a weeks notice, but that's the Army, right??

Dear students: I swear the ones who are failing after three weeks, not cool. I mean how hard is it to pay attention in class and get your homework done???

Dear kids: You guys are too cute! I love the personalities that are coming out. Pretty Girl your vocabulary is just exploding and it's super cute (except for the whining)

Dear Gym: I SWEAR I will get back into going to the gym. My goal is to start this coming Monday. I've lost 10lbs and have about 20 more to go. I need to get on this like now.

Dear weight: If you could just drop off, that would be great, thanks! Thank goodness for ZEAL because without it I wouldn't have the energy I do and the weight I've lost would have come right back. I'm so thankful I found it! (plus it's all natural, bonus) :)

Dear Roxie (our puppy): I swear you need to figure out how to stop chewing everything or else you won't be able to be left out of your cage while we are gone or sleeping. Walking into the kids room to see their toy basket over turned and half the toys chewed beyond repair this morning, not cool!

Dear in-laws: I'm so thankful we are talking again. I know things aren't like how they used to be and they probably never will, but it's nice we can come visit and M has his parents in his life again.

I believe that is all for now. I hope you all have a great weekend!!!!!

Pics of the Kids

I got some pictures of the kids done this summer and finally received them today. I think they turned out pretty darn good. I wish I would have gotten more of me with the kids, but by this point they were done. Pretty Girl didn't want to share the spotlight with anyone. Over all, I'm glad we did it. I'm not sure if I will use this photographer again, only because it took almost a month to get my pictures back. :( I'm used to Sears where I walk out with a CD of all pictures and the prints done in a week. However, randomly in the spring, Sears closed all of their portrait studios. I'm super sad about this.
Without further ado, here are some of the pics. :)

Pretty Girl loves being in front of the camera

I don't know where this closed lip smile came from, but it's not him.

Group photos