The Galan Family - thegalanfamily

Welcome Family and Friends. I am doing this in hopes that I will be better at keeping in touch with you because I get so caught up in my own world that I tend to forget how important it is to stay in touch. I have a difficult time when it comes to technology but this seems pretty simple so far. Thanks to my "Blogging for Dummies" website I feel like I can do this without too much sweating and computer damage.

Moving to Blogspot

I have a new blog address it is galanhawks.blogspot.com so go there. I like shutterfly a lot but I don't like how you can't put pictures with your entries or if you can I have not been able to do it. Shutterfly is awesome for the books and everything that you can make. So go to my other address for our adventures.

A Little Catch-up

Its been awhile and there have been so many times that I thought, "I need to write that down", but of course I didn't and now I can't remember what happened. So I guess I will start with my most recent woodworking project. Grandpa Galan gave Paul and I a little flatbed trailer to pull behind our van when needed but it didn't have any rails or anything on it to keep stuff on so since we are about to go to Utah for the summer I decided now would be a good time to "pimp my ride". It isn't done yet but it has been a fun little project that Paul when he sees will most likely look at and laugh but I think that Erin and I did a pretty awesome job. Thanks Erin for all of your help! It is going to be really handy for the very long road trip that is coming up in less than 2 weeks. I can't believe how time flies. Anyway I will post a picture of the trailer.

This month I have really been trying to get better in shape, because I am not so happy with the extreme juicy pear shape that is going on. So thanks to Matt Ellett, Mandy, Erin, Alyssa and I have been doing Crossfit and running/walking in hopes to get ready for the 1/2 marathon in Oct. I am not sure still if I am going to be able to run it all but I have hopes of having Mandy within site for atleast the first mile, then I have paid someone to trip me. Hey atleast I will have another t-shirt to sleep in.

Today we went to Dunbar Cave with Erin and her kids. I was expecting tantrums and whiny kids but they did really well. It was extremely muddy due to the storms recently but it was really awesome and our tour guide was a lot of fun. I totally thought by the time we got out of the tunnel the kids would be covered head to toe in mud but surprisingly enough they were completely recognizable and I only had to strip them waist down for the ride home.

Nothing else new or blog worthy so take a look at the new pictures.

Vincent is Sure!

So I was sitting in my favorite spot IMing with Paul my favorite person when all of the sudden I felt pangs of hunger as my nostrils (wow that is a silly word) were filled with the scent of strawberries. Wondering where the intense smell came from I turned to look and found Emi dousing Vincent's armpits and various other crevices with Strawberry Burst Teen Spirit deodorant. Vinny just laid there like it was part of his daily routine, hilarious. Silly Emi!

The Greatest Person I Know

I always knew I had a great mom but I have never given her enough credit for how truly incredible she is so I thought I would announce it to those who read my blog to help get the word out. I try to tell her how much I appreciate what she has done for me, especially with her coming here to help me but I don't feel like my words are enough. So much of what she has done and what she is doing for others goes unappreciated and I am so at fault for this. I have taken for granted the sacrifices that she has made for me and so many times I rejected or ignored them. She always feels that what she does is not enough, but that is just who she is. Especially right now I know that she feels like she is getting pulled in so many directions, with so many that need her help and she feels guilty for not being there for everyone. I am just grateful for her and love her so much and wish I could express my feelings better to help her know that. So thanks mom, when I think of Christ like examples you are the first that comes to mind. I love you.

April 1st My mom thinks she is hilarious!

So I got in my bed last night to find out that I had been short sheeted - oh she thinks she is so funny. I short sheeted her bed as a welcoming gift the first night she was here. But anyway after I found out my bed was short sheeted she was still downstairs so I filled her bed with tons of books for her comfort. Oh the love - can you feel it? What should I do tonight? Hmmmm... the possibilities are endless.

Good news!

Well after all the doctors visits, blood drawings and feeling lousy the doctor finally gave me a diagnosis! Yeah! He says that I have Sjogrens Syndrome (Show-grens), of course all of the auto-immune diseases take years (I read today the average is 6.5 years) to have a 100% diagnosis but I was happy to for him to say "You have" instead of "I think you have". I finally feel like I can really move on now. Unfortunately it is a chronic thing but the medications that I am taking seem to be helping pretty much, the pain I can deal with, I just wish they had something that would make me less fatigued and not feel so crappy in the sun but I will work with what I have. I was super happy though to not be diagnosed with Lupus although my symptoms are very much the same, it doesn't attack as many organs like Lupus and is less dangerous. So happy day! Just thought I would share. Gotta go Emi wants to "snuggle." I love it she says, "mom, lets watch a movie and snuggle." So cute I want to squish her until her head pops off.

Soon to have a new brother in law!

I am so excited for Ash and Kenji! Ash has been through so much and I am so happy that she has found someone who knows how to treat her well and love her and her kids. Love you Smash. Kenji is awesome, I just hope that he can put up with all the quirks of the family - there is a reason why I live on the otherside of the country. Just kidding. The thing that impressed me the very most about Kenji was that when he asked Ash to marry him that he had the kids right there. They will always remember that and it just showed that he loves not only Ash but has accepted the kids like his own. You rock Kenji-kun! Oh and did I happen to mention he went to Japan on his mission - finally I can make fun of people in another language with someone to understand me. Well actually I have forgotten so much that he probably wouldn't understand me either. But, I am so excited for June 25th!!!!! Congratulations Ashley and Kenji - you both deserve the greatest happiness- did I happen to mention that I am going on an extended vacation starting June 26th and am leaving the kids with you - hope that doesn't mess up any plans.

Yes I am a big slacker!

I haven't been as good recently with my "blogging", I just haven't had all that much go on here in good ole' Kentucky. My mom came to help me out for a whole month and it has been so wonderful, I knew it would be but I didn't imagine it being as comforting as it is. Thanks mom you are the best. I just feel badly because my kids have been nothing but rotten for Grandma, they just didn't realize what strict was until Grandma came around, I am hoping that she will whip them into shape- they need it and I have decided that I have no idea what I am doing as a parent. I just have a really hard time with consistency, I'd say it's because I am just so busy going here and there but really it is just the case of the lazy(ies). Must do better - threatening their lives just isn't cuttin' it.

And can I say that I have like my own pharmacy in my house! I had no idea that one person could take this many medications. In all I take 7 different types of medications a day sometimes 8 if I can't sleep. But man life without it sucks so I just need to be grateful that there are smart people out there who came up with it all. I am just excited to get a final diagnosis, they have like a gallon of my blood so hopefully they can figure it out. Actually at first I was really anxious to find out everything, now it is like I know I have a disease which one I don't know exactly but I just need to learn to deal with whatever it is and not let it enable me and get on with life. The crappiest part of it all is that being in the sun really makes me sick. There is no where I would rather be than outside running, swimming with the kids, going to Camp Pendleton but now I am going to be one of those ladies that you see with the pants and long sleeves and huge brimmed hat when its 100 degrees outside - my poor kids they won't claim me, they will make me walk on the otherside of the road. Haha! I prayed for a trial to make my faith grow stronger - bring it on!

As for my awesome yummy husband he is great. He sounds happy he wishes he would fly more but he enjoys the guys he is around. I love you Paul!

And then there is Vincent - looks like he is tough and mean but really he is the biggest sissy around. The other night Emily came to my bed and brought her Tinkerbell sleeping bag with her that has a little light that flickers when you move around. Well in the middle of the night I all of the sudden feel this breathing on my face and I wake up to find Vincent standing over me shaking. He is afraid of storms and has hopped up on my bed because of them but the sky was clear that night but then I realized it was because of the little tinkerbell sleeping bag. Sissy. Oh and another story about my marvelous mutt - the other night he got out the front door which he loves to do well during his roaming he found some enormous pile of what had to have been elephant poop because it was everywhere! I put him outside to sleep but he would not stop barking so at 12am I gave him a bath outside! It was freezing I was ready to punt kick him. But through it all he is the best dog, he is so cute with Nala. When the kids are playing with Nala and she is done she will come and stand underneath Vincent - it is so funny but so cute. Ok enough about dogs - told you I had to steer the way of my dogs that is how much has been going on around here. Blah Blah Blah! Later.

3 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 9 to go!!!!!

I can't believe it has been 3 months already! It has gone by so quickly and I feel like our lives have been so blessed in so many ways. I knew that this deployment was going to be a big defining moment in the lives of me and my little family - my thinking was that we would decide from this deployment if we were going career or not and I know that we are only 1/4 through it but I still love military life. I don't feel like Paul is that far away, we talk everyday and my love for him has only grown. The kids call him their hero and pray for him at every opportunity. They are champs and we have had some really great days and quite a few really crappy days but overall - thumbs up! What helps the most is having great friends who have always been there, who I know that I can count on and will put up with my crazy kids and all their quirks - Notice I didn't say my quirks because usually they make me sit outside.

Just some quotes that I found and I like

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. ~Mother Teresa

"People are like stained glass windows: They sparkle and shine when the sun's out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is light within."- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Am I the only one who thinks Spring should have come like a month ago? I so want to sit outside and read and get the kids outside playing. I can't wait to open up all of my windows and air this house out! - Stinky kids, I guess I can't completely blame it on Paul anymore, although I would give anything to smell his stink right now.

Ladybug infestation!

I don't know if I have ever seen so many ladybugs in one place before than in my own house. I guess it is better than roaches but still where are they coming from? Emily is histerical because she goes around the house looking for them and giving them names. She is right now talking to one and telling it how cute it is and that she is its mom. She has collected about 10 carcasses from around the house and very neatly placed them on the counter forming their own little graveyard. Ok now she has put it on the chair and crossed the room to see if she can call to it and if it will come to her. So far no luck, just think of the money I can get if she does train ladybugs, I did tell her she needed to earn her keep. I am waiting for her to make a leash for it next. Ooops! She killed it. Aaah well there are plenty more to try and train. I have $ signs in my eyes - you go girl. Oh she is trying to revive it by getting it some food - carrots. I could stop her but then what would I have to write about?

Chapter 2 on Kids saying funny things

So Emily is trying to see if they really won't let her go to kindergarten in diapers. She was doing great until Paul left and now she is reverting back so completely that I am afraid she is going to try to go back to nursing. Anyway being the good mom that I am I let her sit in it as long as possible for 2 reasons: 1- hoping that eventually she will say yuck and decide the potty is much better, #2 - money saver! They can hold way more than people give them credit for, I know because I have tested the limits. I guess that is not really something to be proud of. Anyway back to what was so funny. Well today I picked her up from my friends house and she had just pooped so I decided I was going to wait for her to ask. Well after about an hour I said, "Emi are you poopy." "Yep" "Do you like sitting in your poop?" "Yep" "Do you like it because it is squishy?" "yeah" she then started to squish it around luckily within the confines of her pullup. It was hilarious because she was so serious about liking it. I couldn't hold out any longer and gave in and changed knowing that it was going to take atleast an hour to air out the house.

Kids say the darndest things!

Of course it was Noelle, she came up to me the other day with a theremometer and said, " mom I think I'm sick my ear is cold." She was also upset at me last night when I wouldn't let her wear her tutu and leotard to bed because I told her that I was afraid that she would not be able to get them down in time if she had to go potty.

Ethan has a little girl that lives next door to us that has a crush on him and it is hilarious. Yesterday walking home from the bus, she said to me, "I told Ethan today again that I think he is cute." He was of course being the typical boy at the time doing things such as running in to trees because he had his coat in front of his face and she would laugh and say, "Ethan is so hilarious, he is so cute." Meanwhile Ethan's face and ears couldn't be any more red. I couldn't agree more he is pretty cute. He told me he thinks she is a "little bit cute." Oh to be 7 again, never mind I never want to be seven again because that would mean I had to go through dating again - no thank you I like my life just as it is.

Another funny thing that happened yesterday was when Emily had a stinky pull-up and I said, "Man Emily you are a stinky kid," and she replied, "I'm not stinky, daddy's stinky." Poor guy gets the blame even thousands of miles away. Love you Paul.

It snowed!!!!

I was a little worried last night when I was up too late catching up on some shows that I have been wanting to watch knowing school was going to be cancelled, to look out and see it just raining and not snowing. But the weather man came through and when we woke up this morning there was some snow, enough for the kids to get on their snow stuff and go sleding, now it is a brown mess but it was fun for them for awhile. The best part of today though was when I was watching this kid try to jump over someone that was coming down the hill. Splat is a very appropriate word for what happened. I thought for sure he would cry but nope it was like it never happened, he just brushed the snow and mud from his face and trotted back up the hill.

Noelle never lets me down though. She told me she was all ready to go out in the snow and that she just needed some gloves. I told her where to find them. An hour or so later when I went to go and see how they were all doing, there was my little princess in all her glory, wearing a dress. She cracks me up. She did have pants on underneath but she had made sure her hair was in a bow. That girl has a style all her own. I have attached the picture somewhere. I am hoping to figure out how to move it by the text.

To my husband

Just wanted to write an official declaration that Paul Galan is my husband, we have now been declared as married on facebook so it is now the real deal. But also to let Paul know in front of all of my family and friends that there is no one that I would rather spend eternity with then my very best friend. You are always there for me even though you are thousands of miles away, you make me laugh everytime I talk to you. I feel your prayers and your love through every minute and every second of the day. I love you and miss you so much it hurts but I am so proud of what you are doing, I support you 100%. Love you forever and mostest.

On a second note it is true that makeup can be put on with a spoon I have just witnessed Noelle doing it to herself and then to Emi, literally with a spoon. Noelle said that it goes on better and smoother that way. I am in need of a chisel or sandblaster to get this all off.

Thanks Clair Dickson

Just wanted to thank Clair for the pictures that she took of our family right before Paul left. She did an awesome job especially dealing with Emily who was not in her best mood as you can see. Bribery nor threats worked with her. Anyway if anyone is looking for an awesome photographer she is the one.

Ok so I took my kids off ebay when I realized that PMS was the culprit, it was early how was I to know? So I think I may be back in the land of the sane, well sane as I know it. I can really feel the sanity coming back today especially since it is now 4 pm and I am still in my jammies - go jammies and thanks MLK for giving me a reason to sleep in and be a couch potato with my book(s) and letting me not even have to jammie my kids either since they are also sporting their pjs - efficiency I could write a book. To give me some credit, a pull up has been changed and I did make beds and do the dishes.

Blue Light Special , 4 kids!

They are free and come with a sign on bonus! Warning- may cause insanity, heart failure, and death - no return policy unless they are 18 and have a job. I can also send pictures - warning pictures may be deceiving.

Lets see in the last 3 days each child has been grounded, sent to bed at 6:30 and nearly hung in their closet by their toe nails. Ok if someone is reading this that doesn't know me they might be getting worried so that is probably enough. My kids are definately testing their limits and my limits. I think that I have given in too many times and they are totally taking advantage of that - no more mrs. nice lady. Sammy couldn't believe it when I told her that I called and canceled a sleepover that she has been looking forward to. But in all this there are benefits, I got two very sweet letters from Ethan and Sam last night. They are keepers although each came with a clause at the bottom that said,"Please, please please can I sleepover at Emily's check the box yes if I can or no if you are the meanest mom ever." I guess I have not left my status of being the meanest mom ever. Anyway you gotta love kids, they test and they try and they help me atleast to realize that I can not do this alone, the caluses have formed on my knees. But they must not dislike me too much because by this morning I had about 3 inches of my own on my bed because all 4 were there spread eagled as cozy as could be. And added to their presence, Emily at some point in the middle of the night had gathered every stuffed animal on the block and laid each one comfortably with washcloths for blankets. I should have just gone to one of their empty beds but it is kind of like when you are camping and you have to pee so badly but the thought of getting out of your sleeping bag is so horrible that you lay there for hours in agony, when in all reality the 3 minutes it would have taken would have been so worth it. Silly silly.

Anyway, all is good, I am going back to bed.

1 month 11 to go!

Today is a month of Paul being gone - only 11 more to go, but I have to say it has gone rather quickly. We have kept pretty busy the whole time and I have some awesome friends who make life great - don't blush you know who you are! So for my 1 month celebration I got a sick kid and spent an hour cleaning up diahrea off from the bathroom floors, walls, door, cabinet - talk about explosive! I know you all enjoy the visual.

I just have to say that the internet is amazing on how it can connect you with people. I have gotten messages on facebook from 2 people that I haven't seen for 20 years and they both live in Ireland. I love it.

Well I posted more pictures, I wish that I could figure out how to link them with my entries -there has got to be a way but I don't have the patience to figure it out.

Oh we also added another member to our family I will put up pictures. I blame Priscilla for this addition.

Miracles can happen

I love how even though crappy things happen that it always seems to work out. I wrote about how the day after Paul left my hard drive crashed and the Indian Dell dude told me, from what I understood anyway, that it was unlikely that I would be able to get anything off from it. I prayed and prayed that I would be able to because it had my journal and all of my pictures and videos of the kids and everything so I was determined. I tried myself but nothing worked and I was driving down the road the other day and remembered an old neighbor who I recently saw had a sign on his car that said that he had a computer fix it business so I stopped and he was able to pull everything off!!!! I was so excited that when his wife called to tell me I cried over the phone thanking her. But, then when I went to look at the pictures all were perfect except the ones that we took the night Paul left and our Christmas pictures, they were all sorts of screwed up,ugggg. But I had hope and so when I talked to Paul that night he was able to help me get them right. He amazes me, I know I am a little biast but he was telling me what each window was going to say and where to click and he didn't have a computer in front of him or anything, and it was having external things hooked up, nothing normal. I think I may be able to do that for someone who needs help changing a diaper but that's as far as I go. Anyway, prayer really works, I love knowing I am not alone.

Noelle was so cute tonight saying her prayers. She said "I am thankful for daddy and I hope he is home for my birthday but if he is not I am going to save him a piece of cake even if it means someone else doesn't get one and I will put it in the fridge so it doesn't het yucky." She cracks me up, she says the funniest things, her b-day isn't until Sept, poor girl she talks about it all of the time.

Happy Holidays

So Christmas is over! I can't believe it, it felt nothing like Christmas this year which is sad to say but we have had a good time anyway. We tried to do something every night to help us remember the real reason for Christmas but it just wasn't the same not having Paul here. Oh well atleast we are on the count down. I found my new favorite store though, The dollar store. I brought my kids there to shop for eachother for Christmas, it was awesome by the time they were done I had spent $12 and yes they are all useless toys but they were so excited about them for about an hour before they were all broken and now they are in the trash- perfect! They had the greatest time shopping though, at Walmart I would have walked out having paid $70 for things that the kids might play with for a day and then forget about.

Just also wanted to say thanks to Steve and Priscilla for letting us come up at the last minutes notice. We had been invited several places, thanks, but money was a little tight so we weren't going to go anywhere but then we got a last minute Christmas present that allowed us to be able to go somewhere (my kids were driving me insane asking over and over to go and see cousins) and Priscilla's was the closest so we invaded and had an awesome time, it was way to short but Sammy had a horseback riding camp that started today. But we couldn't have too many days in a row without something, so Emily decided to leave her mark with puke and diahrea. Hopefully by now the stench is gone- sorry Priscilla. Well ta ta for now.

Things fall apart the center can not hold - during deployment

I probably slaughtered the poem but you get my drift. We have not had an ER trip yet but the day after Paul left my hard drive crashed. I called Dell and of course talked with an Indian dude all the way over in India. Luckily having lived there for awhile and watching The Simpsons I could somewhat decipher what he was telling me. After an hour of being on the phone with him he told me that my hard drive has failed and that they would send me a new one. I wanted to puke right through the phone on him. All of our pictures from when the kids were babies (Paul luckily has them backed up on his computer that is on its way to him, hopefully it makes it there). But my journal was on there and a bunch of new pictures from Christmas that we had before Paul left and then all the pictures of Paul saying goodbye to the kids and wrestling with them and such. Ugggg. I am really hoping that somehow we can pull everything off but Dell says that it is unlikely, Paul thinks they don't know what they are talking about- I hope he is right. Dell told me to call a company who does it professionally so I called thinking it was going to be like at the most $100. Nope, it was going to cost at the bare minimum $500 up to $2700. They were going to give me 10% off, I wanted to reach through the phone and slap the lady silly, but instead I laughed. Ok so there was the first issue that happened. The next day Vincent obviously ate something bad because when I got back from walking he had done an impressive number on the carpet, why does it always have to be on the carpet? I bet that if my whole house was just tile but I had a 1' x 1' piece of carpet that is where he would plant it. I scrubbed and scrubbed but his mark remains. I am hoping that Erin's carpet cleaner will do the trick. Oh but I skipped out on a day, Sat was the computer and Mon was the carpet so on Sunday Paul projector screen fell off the wall. Tuesday was the day when everything was ice so the kids got school pushed back 2 hours but when I went to go start my car I had forgotten that I left my windshield wipers on the night before so when I turned on the car they started to go but since there was ice all over the window they ripped right off. So then Wed night Ethan threw up all over himself during the middle of the night, the good thing about it though was that he didn't move when he did it so all of it was just on his pillow so it was a fairly easy clean up. Thursday Vincent choked on a piece of potato and threw up on the carpet again!!!! Now it is Friday and knock on wood nothing has happened, yet but I still have 36 min to go. I just don't want an ER visit. I think it is hilarious, I always hear people say that everything goes wrong for the first few weeks after he deploys but I just thought that was silliness but nope, there is documentation now. I figure the best way to deal with it is to laugh so I am resorting to that.

Besides all that life is going well. I really can't complain. The kids are a little more whiney but that doesn't say much since they seem to do that all of the time. And wow the fits when I ask for their help and take away toys. You would think I was beating them, stringing them up by their toenails isn't abuse is it?

The kids are out of school for Christmas break. I am excited to sleep in. We are just trying to decide if we are going to go visit relatives or not.

I talk to Paul all of the time, he is really good like that. He sounds really good and like me can really feel the prayers that are said in our behalf, thanks. So there is a little update, I am totally falling asleep typing this so I gotta go. Later, please ignore spelling mistakes.

365 days to go but it started perfectly

I know that title is the kind of title that would make me want to vomit if I read it but it is true. i couldn't have asked for it to go any better. Paul and I packed this morning, which took forever to say the least. That is the last time I help a perfectionist pack, I was waiting for him to get out a calculator and start measuring all of his stuff. And holy crap I can not believe all of the stuff he has to fit into his not so huge bags. Anyway so we packed and then picked the kids up early from school and went bowling and ate pizza. It was fun, we paid for two games but the first game took like and hour and a half due to having to help the ball make it to the pins for everyone of Emi's turns. It was so cute, she didn't want anyone to help her throw it. So we ended up getting our $ refunded for the next game. And don't think that the "perfectly" started there because at this point I was about to use each of my kids as one of the pins. Ethan peed his pants and cried when we told him he couldn't play with friends when we got home because dad was about to leave and we needed family time, Sammy whined about who knows what, Noelle fought with Sammy about soda and Emily by her 7th turn was ready to leave. It was really fun though, the Thorley's were there also which made it even greater. After that we came home packed some more then Paul gave each of the kids a blessing and then we had family prayer. It was at this time that I had my cry and when I was done I felt good like I was going to be just fine. We then gave the kids a calendar each that they can put a sticker on each day daddy is gone, they were excited about this. Right before Paul left he asked the kids what they wanted to do the most before he left and without any debate playing monster was what they wanted to do. So for the last 25 minutes that Paul was here the kids were getting monster beatings. It was perfect because we didn't just sit around waiting for the time to come, we got there doing fun things together so when the time came it wasn't so upsetting. There were just a few tiny tears and that was it. I know for me tomorrow morning will be rough when reality sets in. Oh but another awesome thing that happened today was that we had ordered these little voice recorders to go inside daddy dolls that I had made for the kids. Well they were supposed to be here 2 days ago and they didn't arrive and we looked up the tracking number to find out that we had put the shipping address different than the mailing address and so they had tried to deliver it to our old house. I tried to call FedEx but they told me that the shipper was going to have to call and make the arrangments, ugggggg. So then I thought maybe I will just go and put a note on the door just in case they come back because it said on the website that it was out for delivery but I wasn't very hopeful since they had already tried that address. Anyway I put a note there stating the issue and asked if they would call me or bring it to our address since we are just right down the road. Anyway about an hour later the doorbell rings and there it is!!!!! The lady said that she wasn't supposed to have it on her truck that she had picked it up on accident and realized it when she got to our old house and recognized it from a couple of days earlier but then she saw my big pleading note. It was just another confirmation that we are not alone, that every aspect of our lives is important. So Paul was able to give them their daddy dolls with his voice recording that they can listen to every night when they go to sleep.

(I am not going to spell check so you can all laugh at my many mistakes I am sure that I made)

Santa Came!

I feel like the days are going by way to fast but we found out today that Paul has one more day- he now leaves on Friday, I will take what I can get but I really hope they don't change anything else because the anxiety is seriously the worst part. Alright I will admit it I just want more room in my closet to put all of my winter wardrobe - ha ha ! Winter wardrobe - what is that anyway? Doesn't that just mean a sweatshirt on top of my t-shirt and sweat pants instead of umbros? I guess that does take up a little more room. On a more serious note it is hard though when dates are changed because of the kids emotions more so than mine. My kids are at an age and Paul has been away enough that they know what it is like not to have daddy around, I have been called several times, "the meanest mom ever," I take pride in that comment. They are going to miss him a lot. We celebrated Christmas last Thursday, we were going to do it on Friday but when we got a phone call to come pick up Nellie from school due to puking all over the school hallway and nurses office, we thought Thursday would be better, so Paul made the call to Santa's secretary who worked us in. He definately showed up and left way too much, I think there needs to be a deal that he has to take in his sleigh more than he leaves. I got exactly what I wanted, a small camera for my purse and a gps so I can make it to Utah this summer. Paul got the Matrix in blue ray and xbox games and pc games- all small things that he can take with him. The kids although deserving large amounts of coal, scored a DS and games to go along with it. Emi got a new big girl car seat and a thing that she can hook to the tv and watch herself sing and dance and a doll that drinks and pee's (the pee is actually yellow too! She used up all the diapers within the first hour and now I have hidden the little sippy cup so there won't be any doll pee all over the house. Vincent got a kiss and a pat on the head. It was a fun day for all but Nellie who was so sick that she didn't want to open any presents. We have pictures of her all but in a coma on the floor, poor girl. It is nice though now that the gift part of Christmas is over because now we have really been able to concentrate on the real meaning and it has been wonderful. I pray daily that my kids will know their Savior better than I do, we are trying but man there is so much working against our efforts. I am just so grateful to know that as long as I do my part the slack will be picked up. There is nothing I am more grateful for than the Gospel, with this deployment on the horizon I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have. Merry Christmas to all!

After Thanksgiving Udate

Well the Galan family showed up and showed our true colors on Black Friday. We hit Walmart, Toys R Us, Target and Best Buy and put significant dents in our bank accounts. There was not as much elbow throwing as was hoped for, no trampling, no wigs being thrown, black eyes or police involvement - I know it doesn't seem quite as exciting but ooh the loot that was obtained and the crankiness for days after make it all worth it! Paul and I complain everyday about all the toys the kids have but it is so hard not to want to buy them everything they want, I am just thankful for Santa who brings all the extras that we couldn't afford.

Thanksgiving was awesome. We had such a great 5 days all 23 of us packed in our little home. We ate yummy food, drank Grandpa Galan's special concoction, watched Duane sleep, played lazer tag, watched Madagascar II ( for the 2nd time), shot off rockets from Pauls homemade rocket launcher, laughed as Andrew threw off his pants in sheer anger and enjoyed Rammin Rabbids TV party on the Wii and much much more. Thanks to all of those who came and we missed those that we didn't get to see.

We have 1o days left with Paul, it is coming fast. We are going to have Christmas sometime in the next few days so that Paul can have some time with the kids playing with their Christmas stuff, which means I have to get the tree up today! Much to do, gotta go.

New Home!

The move is old news now. We are in and the garage is just about done - for those that don't know what I mean by that- Paul transfered the garage in our last house into a movie room/ playroom, it was so great so we are doing it to this house also. Anyway, he and Ben are slaving away trying to get it done before family comes this week for Thanksgiving. Grandpa Galan also helped a ton- thanks Grandpa. But all the furniture is in place boxes are emptied, now I have to figure out where to put all the crap that is in Mandy's garage! I don't understand how it accumulates and I love to throw things, guess I need to throw out more. I know mom if you are reading this you are cringing but the satisfaction of less clutter is awesome. Paul may come home to a completely empty house. But we love our new home, it is a single house so I no longer have to worry about neighbors hearing me yell at my kids, I mean so calmly redirect them.

We have about 20 days until Paul leaves, I wish he would just leave because the anxiety is killing me. I am not going to the hangar though, the thought of that makes me want to hurl. We are just going to say goodbye from home and he is going to have to drag all of his stuff by himself to the hangar, man I didn't think about that part- maybe there's a bus. Ok gotta go must accomplish something!

Shutterfly albums are awesome!

For Paul for Christmas and also to take on his deployment I made him an album to take. I made it through the shutterfly site and it was so easy and it turned out so awesome. I was going to make an 8x8 but ended up making it a 12x12 so he can see the pictures better. It turned out to be 87 pages long! I think he is going to love it and hopefully appreciate it during lonely moments. It is funny how few pictures there are with both of us in them. I did a section for each child and then of us, the kids had about 17pages each and Paul and I had 3. I want to get a little camera so that I can always have one with me. The camera that we have right now is too big to just carry around for the random shot, I want one that easily fits in my purse.

Moving in approx 3 days! Wow do I have a ton to do! I am so excited I had a dream about it but it is also sad because it is now less than a month until Paul leaves. Pre-deployment anxiety has definately set in.

Halloween

It's Election Day!!!!! Get out there people. Paul and I voted early so we didn't have to wait as long, it took some excitement away but now today I get to spend 4 hours alone with Paul, no kids!!!!! What will we do?

Well Halloween was really fun. We cut the rug at the Thorley's house where Erin showed her true self as you can see from the pictures. The kids got way too much candy which I have eaten way too much of. We then had the ward Chili- Cook Off/Trunk o Treat/ Costume Contest which turned out awesome if I do so say myself, which I do. It was one of those times where I needed help and God really picked up the slack. Now lets see if someone will pick up the slack for McCain otherwise well I don't know what kind of changes will take place but I am a little nervous, not to say that I am a devoted McCain fan, but atleast his values don't go against my religious beliefs. I was just hoping that with McCain winning maybe his age would catch up to him then somehow Romney would be able to overstep Palin. Ok I am not one that really enjoys discussing politics. Anyway, have an awesome day.

Apology

I just wanted to apologize to all those that I sent that free laptop email to. Duh! Anyway my source I thought was pretty on the ball and I just trusted it and then decided to check on snopes. I felt so dumb. Live and learn.

Well I haven't written for awhile. We are getting ready to move down the road and I have boxes and junk all over that I am sorting through so I am up to my eyeballs in messes. I wish we were moving tomorrow so that I can get this over and done with. I was able to get rid of a whole dressers worth of clothes though it feels so good and hopefully it will cut down on messes but I am sure that Noelle will somehow find a way to accumulate more or think of other things that she can spread all over the place to drive me nuts.

Sammy and I went horseback riding yesterday and I was able to jump for my first time, it was so much fun and for the extent of the lesson Sammy thought I was the coolest mom ever. Sammy is getting really good, she is so much more confident. She is turning 9 next month and I can't believe it. She is really excited because cousins are going to be here for her birthday, we were talking about going and playing lazer tag for her party.Well I have got to go try to pack more stuff and throw away more stuff, the part I love the most!

Playlist

Sometimes I can figure out things on the computer!!! I didn't give up and I figured out how to do it, I know I am probably embarrassing myself by admitting to my ineptness (I have no clue how to spell!!!! Maybe I should go back to school?). Anyway, hope you enjoy my playlist I had a hard time remembering my favorite music but there are a few.

Nobody had to drag me across the finish line!!!!

We did it!!! I can't believe the marathon is over it was awesome!!! I never thought that I would actually say that doing something like that would be fun but it really was. My official time was 2 hr 40 min, it was a 1/2 marathon. I could not have had a better weekend and then to come back and see my kids were all still alive and Paul was smiling made it even better. I am totally marking my calendar now for next year! Hey Alyssa I want your pictures!! We started early Friday morning driving 8 hours to Kansas City where Mandy found us an awesome price on the Hyatt. We watched Mama Mia that night which totally got us in the mood. I prayed and prayed for things to "move along" which didn't happen but my prayers were answered so much so that I have had to take a laxative since I have gotten home. The Lord truly answers prayers! I am so grateful that things didn't get messy which they would have considering the lines at the portapotties and how spaced out they were. My kids when I got home asked me if I "won", I let them believe I did especially since they gave everyone medals so there is my proof.

Is there a spell check?

I think Paul is embarressed(sp) by all of my typing errors. I caught him making spelling changes for me. Is it love or is he just embarressed(sp)? I just read through a couple of entries and I really should at least read over what I write but usually I am in a hurry.

Nothing new just super excited to leave tomorrow morning for Kansas City- wait is that where we are going? Man I am loosing(sp) my mind. Anyway I'm excited for the marathon it is going to be so much fun to have some girl time and also accomplish a goal. I am super sad that Mel is not going though after having done so much preparation for it. I was just super happy to find out that they have potties all along the route and water stations and everything and then they feed us and we get a shirt!!!! I am so excited! Hopefully I won't come in last being dragged by my collar.

ER our home away from home!!

The last time we were in the ER was when Emi fell and hit her head on the coffee table and there was so much blood that we thought she had really cut it deep. We spent 2 hours in the ER waiting for a doctor to come and wipe away the blood and apply neosporin. Wow did I feel stupid and mad and told myself the next time I come to the ER there better be an appendage missing. Well I think that was about a month ago. Well on Sat we went to a fall festival where they had a bunch of those bounce house and bounce slide things, I think they had all been down the slide like twice when Sammy came down and hurt herself. Paul and I kind of rolled our eyes and told her to walk it off and that she was here with a friend and she needed to be tough so she would walk and was trying really hard to be tough. But she finally broke down in tears again and told me it really hurt. Paul had looked at her foot immediately after and I don't know if he saw anything then but after 5 min of her crying and us trying to get her to go and play I took a look and it was obvious something was wrong. There was no protruding bone but she had a lot of swelling and bruising right at the base of her big toe and it had only been maybe 5 min since it happened. I got a medic that was there who looked at it and told me we needed to take her for xrays. Ugggg. Paul and I were both wanting to just put some ice on it and take her home. But I took the medic's advice and took her in. We got there around 3 and we didn't get home until 7pm. It turns out that she hyperextended her toe which caused the tendons to pull off a chunk of bone. Poor girl. So she is on crutches and has a very fancy shoe that she wears. We go to see another doctor on Tues who will tell us more of what we will have to do. Her first thought was about horseback riding.

Other than Sammy's injury everything is great. The kids have been out of school since Wed and they will go back on Tues. The housing guy came and looked at the house and said that everything looks good. Paul is going to start dealing with the garage tomorrow. He is going to built a rocket launcher with the kids today, he is definitely more excited than the kids. So have a great Columbus Day!

The funny things kids say

Tonight Noelle didn't want to take a shower and she was whining about it and Sammy says, "You have to take a shower you are dirty." Noelle responds, " I am not dirty." Ethan then says, "You have germs." Noelle says, " I can't see them." Sammy then says "You can't see germs." Noelle's response was " oh but Jesus can see them." It was so funny that I said to Paul "Thats a journal entry," to which Sammy hearing it wrong says, "Who has a turtle in a tree?" Funny funny.

Sammy and I had horseback riding again tonight it was awesome, it is so theraputic even though for the following 24 hours I can't sit with my knees together because my muscles tremble. Sammy is really getting good, she beat me in a race around cones and such. I am so glad because she loves it like I do.

So I thought that I was set on who I was going to vote for until lasts nights debate I was not so impressed. I have a really really hard time thinking of having someone who is leading America but won't even say the "Pledge of Alligence" or put his hand on his heart and who takes the American flag off from his plane but yet McCain was anything but impressive infact I almost turned it off because everytime he spoke he made me cringe. So I think that Obama will get things done but yet the things that he represents are not what I want, but McCain just seems like an idiot and seems like a bunch of talk and no do, I think it will be Pallin who will end up wearing the pants, but yet they represent more of what I believe in. Anyway, just my views maybe I am misled, I can't say that I am into politics at all but I have tried with this election to pay attention more and learn. It has been really interesting.

News on moving

I forgot to add that the people have their orders so it is looking super good that we are going to move into the new house!!! I can't wait!!!!! Paul isn't as excited which I feel badly about but it is safer down there and I am next door to one of my favorite people ever, there are more kids my kids ages down there, the house is bigger and it is a single house, need I go on? So all those that think I am selfish to do this right before Paul leaves know that I know that I am being selfish but I will do whatever it takes to make this next year go by the best it can for the kids and myself which will make it easier on Paul to be away. I have started to do a lot so it will be easier when the time gets closer. On Friday I spent like 2 - 3 hours lugging bricks and rocks out of our garden, probably not the best idea for my neck/back issue, but I knew that would be a project Paul would hate to do. This week I will paint I think.

Wow what a day!

I'd have to say that today went from an awesome feeling from watching Conference to super crappy as I let my PMS take over and ruin that Spirit. Hormones why? I need to have a Prozac lick for those times when PMS takes over so that when I feel those irritable feelings coming on I can quickly take a quick lick to help find just a little more patience to deal with the next tantrum, next squabble between kidlets, or even just the next time that one of my kids says "mom?" Pathetic I know. What I hate is that when I am in those moods it is so hard to say ok just go say a prayer, just apologize to the kids for being a tird it is so much easier to just become even tirdier (I am sure that is a word in the dictionary). Finally once all the kids were in bed and I got a little more control I went and apoligized to the kids for being so grumpy. It felt so much better once I did that, I just came in my room and had a little cry and said a long pleading prayer that I can make it through the next year. I know that I can I know that I am just being worked on. Tomorrow is going to be awesome. I am going to have my seminary students watch Pres. Monsons talk on Sun morning session and then we are going to have a scripture chase but instead of actual scriptures we are just going to do different parts of the scriptures like, "where is the Book of Moses, where are the maps etc,." The girls are fairly new converts as are their parents so they are not as familiar with all of that. They are incredible though, their faith is unfaltering and they have taught me that I wasn't as with it as I thought I was when I was in high school.

I had a yard sale on Saturday during the post wide yard sale, it was fun. I made like $250 which will help to pay for the trampoline I want to get the kids for Christmas since our other one was ruined during the tornado last year. I sold all of our outside toys so now my backyard no longer looks like Little Tikes vomited there. I didn't remember though that trampolines cost as much as they do, we want a big one like the one we had and it seems like the cheapest one is $500!!!!!!!!!!!! Wowzers. That is including the net enclosure thing which we have to have on post which I also wouldn't have one without one of those. I have far too many memories of being bounced off by my lovely brothers.

All is good. I am reading "The Kite Runner" it is awesome. Hey Paul if you are reading this, I love you and miss you. He is in Alabama for another training hopefully the last before he leaves in Dec. Night Night.

Emily's First Day of Pre-school

Emily has really needed kids to play with and there just aren't as many in this part of the neighborhood so I signed her up for toddler pre-school and today was her first day. She was so excited. She woke up so excited this morning and went to pick out an outfit for herself, an outfit that was obviously under the influence of Noelle who loves all the frills. Noelle goes to school in her sneakers but always has a pair of her higher heeled Sunday shoes in her backpack so she is always at the ready in case the fashion police show up. She has finally come to terms with the fact that she has to wear sneakers everyday no matter if she is in a skirt or not. She always wants her hair done a certain way and if she has a favorite outfit she always wants to wear it day after day after day, I usually have to steal it and put it in the laundry in the middle of the night when she is asleep. Anyway back to Emily. I am going to go and pick her up from school in just a few minutes and I am excited to see her face, not only for the paint and marker that will probably decorate it but also because of her excitement.

Christmas Shopping in Sept!!!

Well usually we procrastinate until right before but Paul and I saw that there was a great sale at Toys R Us for stuff we wanted to get and so we got most of our Christmas shopping done and spent $300 but saved $174!!!!! There were some awesome deals and we took advantage. I wish that I didn't feel like the kids needed to have a gazzillion presents under the tree. I love to see their faces when they come down Christmas morning. I would be sad if they came down and thought "cheap skates." But that is so the wrong attitude I know. Paul is excited all year for Christmas he loves to make sure that everyone is so surprised even me. He always spoils me but I have to admit I love it because it is usually stuff that I know he spent a lot of time thinking of and looking for. And then there is me that asks him in specifics what he is wanting because the stuff that he is really wanting is stuff I know nothing about and he would be returning everything so I have learned just to ask for ideas of a few different things and then I surprise him from there.

The movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the new version, is on right now and I am afraid that I am going to have bad dreams. Jonny Depp looks like a freak. The only movie that rivals its dementedness is probably Alice in Wonderland.

And Hooah to Alyssa, Mandy,Melinda and Erin who kicked butt doing the 11 miles with me today then gorged ourselves silly at Olive Garden. I am going to sleep so well tonight!

Early Morning Seminary

All I can say is that there is nothing like early morning seminary to start your day off right, it is the best calling ever!!!! Thanks Mandy! These girls are the best example ever! I have never been around kids their age that have gone through so much and are so far ahead of the game.

Journal for today

This blogging world is so fun but I feel like I have no idea what I am doing. I don't know how to look up other people and so I feel like a little bit of a loner. Inputs? I explained it all at the beginning that computers and me, well actually technology and me are not buddies. I am still amazed and can not figure out how the simple telephone works, I don't try to think about cell phones.

Paul and I are in the process of figuring out how to save more money and get rid of the unnecessary bills. With him leaving I figure that we don't need all of the advanced HD stuff and the super duper fast internet and such, we will see what we can figure out. Sammy is taking horseback riding and I take it every other time with her but I am trying to figure out a plasma center that is en route to help pay for the costs. It adds up but she loves it and I love it and it brings us together. She is getting pretty good and I am just glad that she doesn't seem like a chicken.

Right now as I am writing my kids are up bathing and all I hear is the constant sloshing and splashing of the water as it hits the floor. Sounds like a good time to mop the floors, the water is there, the used to be dry towel is there to use - how convenient ( however you spell that word). I am sure they are only trying to help out.

Primary Program

Primary Programs make my Sunday. I love watching all of the different kids. There are the kids that wave non stop to their parents, those that are just too cool to be there, those kids that are about to pass out from their over exertion at trying to be the loudest singer, the kids whose parts are completely unintelligable because they put there mouths literally on top of the microphone and hold it like they are the next American Idol. Oh there are just so many. There was one kid that was cracking me up because he wanted so badly to wave to his mom and he was trying so hard not to but his hand got away from him and was waving frantically so he grabbed his waving hand with his free hand and tried to control it without much success. Amy that was Tanner if you are reading this. Mandy also if you are reading this Verada was hilarious yelling out for you. It was a great program, the songs were great and all the kids behaved so well. Way to go leaders and teachers!!!

I have to write something funny that Emily said yesterday. We were driving home from somewhere and someone said that she was a big girl and she said "No I'm a baby." Then after that I can't remember exactly what was being said but she said, " I am a big girl and you are superman." It was really funny at the time. Kids say the funniest things. Ethan likes to look at the clouds and say what shapes he sees and a couple of years ago he was doing this and he said, "Look daddy an ankle." Noelle cracks me up being her answer to everything is "Gospel." It doesn't matter what the question is 'gospel' is the answer. I wish I was better at writing down all the silly things. I think I won't ever forget it but I always do. I am hoping through this blog that I will do better at writing down all the silly stuff.

All is good in our home. Paul leaves again this next week for 2 weeks which is never fun but hopefully during those 2 weeks we will find out if we will be moving into the single house next door to Mandy's. It will be so awesome, my kids first reaction when I told them that it was a possibility was "yeah now we can slide down the stairs in our sleeping bags." In the duplex it was way to noisy for the neighbors so we vetoed it.

Sept 19, 2008

Emi and I are here together, she is bored out of her mind not having anyone but me around. Why is it that making messes seems to easy her boredom, she just pulled out the finger paints. Awesome. She is talking a ton now. It amazes me how quickly she is picking things up and repeats things that may not be so appropriate. She is very entertaining but she also has a huge "tude" which I need to figure out a way to get rid of, I think it is just that she is bored. Silly girl, Must go she is now trying to squeeze out the paint onto the table.

Happenings

Paul and I have been married almost 10 years as of November. We have 4 luckily they are cute kids, Samantha 8, Ethan 6, Noelle 5 and Emily 2. Paul is a Black Hawk pilot for the Army and we are stationed at Fort Campbell. We have been in the military for 6 1/2 years and really enjoy it so far. But that is easy for me because Paul has yet to be deployed, he is gone a lot but this December will be his first deployment to Afghanistan. We found out just yesterday that he will be leaving sometime between the 8th and the 11th so I am going to have to send Santa a letter explaining our situation and see if he can come a little early this year.

I am a stay at home mom and I keep myself plenty busy, with dishes, naps, laundry, naps, shuttling kids, eating bon bons, diaper changes, going to the spa, homework, naps etc,. Half of those are accurate you can decide which. Life is good though, we are all healthy and happy at this moment (thanks to "Rapunzel" keeping the kids occupied, I should set it on "repeat" mode). I love to read and just finished a book called Escape which was pretty good, it's about a lady who escaped polygamy. So I like to read, I love to excercise and wish that it showed, Sammy and I are taking horseback riding together and love it and then I do all the busy busy mommy stuff. Can't complain. Paul is busy doing the army thing and the flying thing and the getting ready for deployment thing. He is doing well and seems to be happy and enjoying his job and his company. He also loves to read and I think he is just finishing up the last Twilight series book, I am sure he would love knowing that I put that in here. He likes to excercise, and loves his xbox and his computer and I think wishes they fit in his pocket, but then they would have to fold out to a 47" screen with all the right specs we might have to wait until 2030 for that though. As a family we love to camp and a couple of years ago bought a pop up trailer which we use a lot and love it. We also have been taking Judo together as a family which has been a blast. Well that's the latest on our family.