Stand Down Maulers: So Long, Farewell...

This Thursday marks the end of an era. Our beloved Maulers (VS32 S-3B Viking) will be decommissioning in Jacksonville FL. Everything about this event makes me reminisce. From a tight knit group of people who were loyal to their missions, a tragic mishap, my Sophie born while Butters served on the USS Enterprise and friendships that will last a lifetime. 

VS32 Maulers: Nothing will compare to this amazing squadron. We like to call the logo "Skully Bones." Our first official squadron as a Navy family was warm and welcoming. We came to love our squadron like a second family. We depended on each other and watched families grow. As with all families, there were misunderstandings and back-stabbing but we always found a way to stay just as tight as a family should be. 

During times of need, we depended on each other for support. Some things have such a profound effect on you, that you have no choice to feel the same pain and suffering as the individual. On September 27 th 2005 we memorialized LCDR Scott "Bitches" Bracher and LCDR Thomas "Cornbus" Blake. This is a time I will never forget and not a day goes by that I do not think about their surviving families. I know our fellow Maulers and Lady Maulers feel the same way. It was a wake up call for some of us knowing that the lives we lead as a military family may heed the same results in the end. 

Sometimes I miss the smell of jet fuel from Butters' flight suit. I know for a fact that he misses doing cat shots from the boat at night. Missing family back home, but doing a job that needs to be done and enjoying every minute of it. We used to make calendar squares for our spouses to mark special days and it would hang in their Ready Room on the boat. Some of us spouses would get together and cut out funny (and sometimes inappropriate... hey we're sailor wives!) pictures to send to the guys. Sophie was born when the Maulers were halfway around the world. Most of them took to calling her Catalina, since this originally was to be her name. But news travels slow to the boat and it wasn't until they came home that they got to meet Sophia Catalina. Butters finally got to hold her when she was almost 3.5 months old.

Those days are now long gone and we have exchanged that life for another which is far more trying with our family. Different squadron, different people, different life. The Maulers really knew how to take care of their people, something which our new squadron severely lacks. To all of our Maulers, we love you and we will miss you dear S-3B Viking. Thanks for the memories!

Is It a Peacock Yet?

It's getting there! Here's the progress of Lily's peacock costume. Thanks to the Pottery Barn Kids catalogue, I have an easy reference on how to make a peacock costume fun and cute. I have decided that Sophie would look cute as a little black Halloween cat. I can already see her little face painted with whiskers. That idea might change, but until Lily's costume is finished I can't seem to focus on anything else. I haven't started the headband with the feathers, but luckily it's not even October. Hooray for time!

A shirt I found at The Children's Place

The tutu

 (I'm not sure why it looks so green in this pic)

Tutu with the peacock "feathers"

The skirt I made to wear under the tutu 

(unless it's too cold in which case she'll wear warm leggings)

Who? Me? Stressed Out?

It's nice to know that in times of stress there are a few things I can always depend on: God taking up some of my burdens, my mom, ice cream and my sewing machine. After hearing some stressful news from my one and only (job related of course...) I turned to all four of these things today. The minute I woke up this morning, I asked God to guide me through my thoughts and to help me to get through this day. Of course... it's Monday!

After considering how I would go about my situation, I decided that the right thing to do was to go to my parents for help. I went about my morning getting the kids ready for the busy day ahead of us and a few hours later, I get a phone call from my mom. She gives me all the answers and comfort I need and I start to feel better. 

I pick Lily and her friend up from school and when we get home, we decide to have a little ice cream. I never turn down ice cream! It was a busy day after all; especially with Lily having her very first day of piano lessons. She very much enjoyed it and before bed she told me all about it when we were going through her homework. I love hearing how excited Lily gets when she learns something new and I take comfort in knowing that I am doing something right when it comes to parenting.

Kids in bed. I get to sit quietly for a few minutes and I think about how I am going to get through my tough time. We as a family have had to confront situations like this many times so I am left wondering why this time is so different. Why do things have to be so difficult sometimes?

So I turn to my sewing machine and this is the result of my stress: a reversible, personalized, kid-sized apron for Lily. My kids are my hope right now and my inspiration. Enjoy!

These are a few of my favorite things!

Lily's best silly face

"OH LA... WE'VE GOT A LOT TO LEARN FROM EACH OTHER... WE HAVE GOT TO STICK TOGETHER..."

Fall Fever

It's ridiculous how much I'm forcing the season of Fall to come. It really is hands down my favorite season. There's nothing more comforting than a fire in the fireplace, kicking back with the family on the couch with a big blanket and hot chocolate. The rainy weather effect that Hurricane Ike brought to Oklahoma made me long for the crisp cold weather and of course, Halloween!

I decided to make the girls Halloween Trick or Treating baskets much like their Easter baskets from last year and seeing them in their finished form makes me excited. Lily decided that she wanted to be a peacock for Halloween, so I am in the process of making her a "peacock-looking" tutu and a headband with some sort of peacock feathers or something on it. I have an adorable vision in my head... Wether or not it turns out like what I am visioning will be a different story! Sophie has been pretty infatuated with spiders and "bugga-buggas" so I will probably make her some sort of insect theme Halloween costume.  I'm sure I will come up with something fun!

With the advent of Fall, comes Lily's 5th birthday. First off, I am floored at the fact that Lily will be 5 years old. It really seems like yesterday that we were going to celebrate her 3rd birthday. Her latest obsession is The Magic Schoolbus and all things science related. So of course she wants a birthday party with a science theme! I am thanking my lucky stars that it's something neat and different rather than a princess or Barbie sort of thing. Not that there is anything wrong with that... 

Well, enjoy my one picture I snapped of the girl's Halloween baskets. I will take pictures of the girls in their costumes as they progress. Happy Fall!

A Fall Song Golden and red trees Nod to the soft breeze, As it whispers, "Winter is near;" And the brown nuts fall At the wind's loud call, For this is the Fall of the year. Good-by, sweet flowers! Through bright Summer hours You have filled our hearts with cheer We shall miss you so,  And yet you must go, For this is the Fall of the year. Now the days grow cold, As the year grows old, And the meadows are brown and sere;  Brave robin redbreast  Has gone from his nest, For this is the Fall of the year. I do softly pray At the close of day, That the little children, so dear, May as purely grow As the fleecy snow That follows the Fall of the year. -Ellen Robena Field-

A Rainy First Day of School

Oh Happy Day! Lily had her first day of preschool today! It was so much fun for her to see friends both old and new. 

Lily picked out her own clothes to wear and it was funny because the high today was about 67 degrees, windy and full of rain. Sophie was excited to visit but cried when I told her it was time to leave. Luckily she will be able to go next year!

Friends: Old and New, plus a little sister sneaking in as a student.

Being the type of girl that she is, Lily was a barrel full of monkeys when we walked into the pre-K corridor. She was very excited and ready to get back into the old routine of going to school. Her classroom was decorated with a rainbow of colors and the afternoon kids even get to take care of a class pet: a frog named "Gilly." Lily took off her sweater and looked for her cubby and hung her sweater on the hook. She then looked for her name tag and put it on and told me and Sophie that we could leave because she was ready to play with her friends! Hugs and kisses later, Sophie and I walked out of the classroom (with Sophie in tears of course...).

More Friends!

I'm so proud of Lily and her assertiveness and confidence going back to school. Long gone are the days where she was painfully shy and anxious. It's so great to see little milestones like this unfold before your eyes. You really see how your children grow and their little personalities flourish. I can't wait to see what new things Lily will learn this school year!