Cohl's birthday Party

Well Cohl turns 9 next Saturday but his family party was today because he is getting so big he wants a camp out with friends from school. I bet everyone can guess what he got for presents. We bought him a Airsoft pistol with bb's and an extra clip plus a bow and arrow set. My parents bought him a skateboard and a Nerf gun. His mom bought him a Lord of the Rings gauntlet set with swords and daggers and a video game of course. Boys are so easy to buy for maybe because of all the practice I have had buying boy stuff. Sorry no pics forgot my camera today.

The weather is crappy this weekend it has rained all weekend and it was supposed to be nice. I swear I can guess better than the weatherman.

Camping

I am so happy the weather is finally getting warmer. I can't wait for our first camping weekend. I love spending time with my family & friends outside. Tubing, campfires, picnics, drinks, fishing, canoeing, cards, dice, games, and smores always something to do. This year we have a couple new places to camp. My husband joined the Ellida club and they have a beautiful park. We have camped there before once and loved the place. We are also going to visit my husband's sister Lori and her family in Smithfield. They have a big farm with lots of kids and animals. I hope my youngest son brings along some of his swimming buddies so he has company since his brothers won't be along. We will also be looking for new campgrounds. Last year we went north and found 2 very nice places, one is in Lodi and the other was in Wild Rose, WI. I think we will also be visiting Jamie's mom & stepdad's place again. We got to stay on the point a couple of years ago and my husband loved the fishing!
Come on summer!

Care packages

Thank you to everyone that has been helping send stuff over to our troops! I just dropped off another 6 phones to Cell phones for Soldiers and another huge box at the post office. My son should be very popular in his tent!

I have talked to my son a couple times but not for long. He said the temperature is in the 80's so far but getting hotter everyday. They don't have four seasons like we do. They have a windy, dry, and very very short rainy season. It is the windy season right now. The place is an ocean of sand, not hard compacted sand but loose sand. There are millions of sand flies that get in their, ears, eyes, nose, & mouth constantly. The loose sand is being blown around so much it looks hazy all the time. He said the sand gets into everything. Roo usually does not cuss in front of me but told me that place is the asshole of the Earth.

I can't say this enough Thank you again!

Weekend disappeared again

Phillip, Amanda, Caden, & Brook came over Friday night and brought me some chocolate. The little ones watched a movie and the big kids played Rock Band2. Saturday we stayed home most of the day but did manage to go to Phil's house and play Cranium with Joe, Chenin, and them and before I knew it, it was Sunday. After church we went to my mom and dads for lunch and ice cream cake and more presents then we had to rush home because Joe was hooking up our router and I had to go to a Mary Kay party. I do not where makeup it is ITCHY but after I was all glammed up 2 different people said my face glowed. Maybe I should try more often instead of the very rare occasion to wear the stuff. I really liked the smooth look it gave me.

Birthday - GREAT DAY!

I had a terrific day yesterday. I took the day off and I had my hair high lighted. My husband gave me The Sims 2 the computer games. I have never been into video games but I love that game I make up my family and they have to do what I tell them. My own utopia LOL. My parents took my family out to dinner YUM and gave me my favorite flowers(tulips). Gener gave me the pans I wanted and Tilda gave me the bird feeder I wanted and I received a call from Roo this week. My sis gave me a gift certificate and the little ones came to spend the night and eat the wonderful giant cupcake birthday cake Lisa gave me. Lisa is so talented she also makes her own cards.

Prayers are answered!

I was desperate for a phone call. I just needed to hear his voice. In my brain he is okay if I can talk to him. I know he will sugarcoat anything that happens so I don't worry.(Yeah right) I am going on the theory that ignorance is bliss. I am not asking any questions that I don't want to know the answer to. I prayed a lot yesterday and he just called a few minutes ago and his voice made my whole day. I can't believe how instantly my crappy mood turned into joy. You cannot wipe the smile off my face. My middle son also called me today. I am extremely blessed.

Deployment sucks!

My oldest son was sent to Iraq last week. I have not been able to think about it without breaking down so it has been awhile since my last blog. I have had 2 really bad days so far, the day he left and last Saturday. Last Saturday I stayed in bed all day. I finally got up around 8pm when my 2 younger sons made me get up and play Pictionary with them. I can't wait until we play this game with a bunch of people camping. It will be hilariously funny. I also got to play a hand of Euchre which is my favorite card game. I managed to have a lot of fun for a couple hours. The other 3 men in my family have been spoiling me rotten for the last week. I am hoping for a movie and some snuggle time this weekend. It is my birthday Friday so I'm thinking my teenagers will still be really sweet towards me for 1 more day at least. LOL The weekends are difficult because I'm just waiting for the phone to ring. I don't even want to leave the house. I know he has our cell number but cell to cell sometimes the connections get lost or never connect. I have received a couple emails but I just so badly want to hear his voice. I know that he is exactly where he wants to be, doing exactly what he wants to be doing. I just WORRY! I have read up on where he is stationed and it seems pretty safe. That is what I keep telling myself anyway. I just wonder how safe can Iraq be for an American? I know I know he is a big strong Marine but he will always be my little boy. Have I mentioned before I hate my boys growing up?

PS
Thanks
To everyone for putting up with my crappy butt
Lisa for the visit and the flowers
Nikki for the talk!