Busy busy

Just a few things we have been up to:

Home Sweet Home

When married to the military one should expect to be uprooted and moved to new commands every 3-4 year, at least that is the rotation for my sailor. Our rotation this time has landed us in coastal North Carolina, more specifically Havelock, NC. It's what my 15 year old refers to as a "drive by town". And she is right. It's not quite country but its definitely not urban living. We have a coup,e grocery stores, fast food joints and a few mom and pop restaurants. But if are craving chain restaurant food, we have to travel 18-20 miles in either direction to either Morehead City or New Bern. But when we first checked out places to live, I fell in love with a home I found on a website that lists homes for rent by other military people. What sold me on it was the swing set and nice deck out back. It is a beautiful 4 bdrm, 2 1/2 bath home. I think more importantly it was military housing. We had lived in housing for the last 5 years and even though I feel it's the way to go when you are in the military, the housing in this town was not quite worth chads bah. That's when we found our gem! Even though the colors of this house were a tad tacky for my taste I knew that a gallon of paint here and there would make this our home. I have come to find out that I am not as good of a painter as I thought I was but I'm getting better. It's sort of like therapy for me. Over the next several blogs I will post pics of the before and afters.

Face First

Vintage Photos

Read all about it

I have been told that I should write a book about my life. My first initial response is no way, my life is too boring, who the heck would want to read about it. I am quickly reminded of all the trials and tribulations I have gone through and how facinating it is. But really in the back of my head I say that the things I have gone through are nothing compared to others who are less fortunate. I view writing a book as sort of a release. I have not properly dealt w/ a few things from my past and need to let go of them. I think about where I would start and what to include and I have gotten excited about it. Do I keep it true to character sort of an autobiography or do I make up characters? At any rate, its going to be a long journey that I am anxious but excited about.

Did I just really say that.....

So I was designated CFO for our family when Chad and I got married. I am not sure why but maybe it had something to do w/ my experience of working w/ my dad who is a CPA. I took over for my mom who was Office Manager/Secretary/Executive Asst or whatever else fancy word you want to call it. But she ran things in the office, assisted w/ my dad and put together tax returns. She also did the Company books. So when she had her bypass surgery in 1999 someone had to take her spot and my dad enlisted me. I was nervous but willing to take over the position. There wasn't much time for training or learning the ropes as my mom had her surgery in February and as most CPA's or Accounting people will tell you, thats in the middle of tax season... one of the worst times to have something like this happen. So I jumped right in and took over. I worked for my dad for 5 almost 6 happy years. I look back and truly miss working for him. :) But back to my story.

So w/ that experience, Chad designated me CFO and gave me control of our bills and all things financial. After all, he had been a bachelor for so long that now we were a "family" there isn't too much room for frivolous spending anymore. Buying swords on Ebay comes to mind as an example. Its a challenging job trying to juggle the bills and make sure there is enough for groceries, gas, misc spending, etc. But I do it. Some days I just want to hand over the ck book and say I'm done, you do it. But I don't. So alot of times, I will get an email in my inbox from Chad requesting to purchase an item. Usually these items are in the electronic family and a majority of the time there is a very good and reasonable explanation as to why we need and how this particular purchase will come in handy. I laugh every time I see these emails because I feel like the Accounts Payable dept and a request is waiting for approval from the boss, who in this case happens to be me as well. Sometimes there are phone calls but most of the time it comes in the form of an email.

While Chad was on deployment this last time, I received an email right around his birthday wanting to know if I had already purchased his birthday present. I knew what was going to be coming next. I responded w/ No but would be heading out soon to purchase it. His next reply was a request to purchase an Ipad w/ a very good explanation for why it would benefit our family. :) There were all sorts of apps to download... everything from cooking for me to educational for the kids. I will spare you all the other reasons other than to say that it would sort of take the place of a laptop that I have been wanting to get for a while. I mean he really had me sold. But I hesitated w/ my response as I knew how expensive these things are. I really didn't want to authorize this kind of purchase as we could have used the money for other things but I caved. After all, he really had me sold on it and he's cute! ;)

So I reluctantly authorized the purchase. Unfortunately I had to wait for him to return from deployment before I would get to use the darn thing. So when I finally got the chance I must say that it has been a wonderful investment! Oh my! Did I just really say that??!! I am actually glad he talked me into this Ipad. I have been able to view recipes in the kitchen while I cook. Troy has this Cars 2 app downloaded that he loves! We can even Skype and facebook on it. Pfsh....As if I have time for all that. LOL! So occasionally I guess there is room for frivolous spending.... as long as it benefits the family. ;)

Until next time.....

The List

Over the weekend I watched a movie called "I don't know how she does it". As I sat and watched it (or my attempt to watch it really, having the 2 boys run around and constantly needing something makes watching movies during the day very difficult) I realized how similar I am to the character SJP is playing in the movie. Its about this corporate working mother who struggles to climb the corporate ladder while still being the super mom/wife at home. The defining moment for me in the movie is when SJP's character is awake in the middle of the night and making "the list". I couldn't believe how spot on that was w/ me. I lie awake most nights, most of the time w/ my eyes closed, going through "my list".... cut ck to Ortho, pick up more milk, get birthday present for Troy's friend, make cupcakes for preschool valentines party, etc, etc, etc. This list goes on and on....Even down to plucking my eyebrows and hugging Chad. Its ridiculous the mins/hours of sleep I lose going through my list which I pay for in the mornings needing 2 cups of coffee now. Maybe its the Virgo in me that makes me do this.... but I find that having this list keeps me organized and feeling "with it". So I have comprised a list (with Chad's help), more of a wish list, for things that we need or want and hopefully in the coming year/years (as some items are going to take a while to save for) we can scratch them off "the list". As my goal is to pay for these out right and not w/ a credit card. Which is a whole other blog.... credit card debt.... but I won't go there. *sigh* So on w/ my list:

Printer/Scanner
Bookcase
Computer desk
Filing cabinet
Flat Screen Wall Mount
Hall Tree/Bench/Hooks/Mirror
Truck Tires
Bunk Beds
Master Bedrm Suite
Garage fridge
Bicycles
Tattoos
New rug
Jeep

My favorite is the addition of Tattoos by Chad. :) Priorities right. ;)

A Florida Christmas

Christmas couldn't have been better.... we were a complete family again w/ Chad making it home from a very long 7 mos deployment just in time to celebrate Christmas. This year was our turn w/ the Garrison side in sunny Florida. So off we went on what should have been a 13 hour drive but w/ 3 kids of which one is a 1 year old... that 13 hours quickly turned into an exhausting 15 hours! But we made it and in 1 piece. We stayed w/ the Keltings (my sister and brother in law) in DeBary which is only 30 miles north of Orlando so we made several trips down to see my parents in Orlando. The kids had a blast playing w/ their cousins. We even made a day of Gemini Springs Park. Was a gorgeous day! We baked Christmas cookies w/ all the kids and just enjoyed family time together. You definitely know you are in Florida for Christmas when you are able to wear shorts on Christmas morning. There is nothing else like it. :) Christmas day came way too fast and before we knew it we were back in the sardine can known as the truck, loaded down w/ all our Christmas treasures and on our way back home. This time it took 16 hours! We were all ready to be out of the truck and not confined to such a small area for that long. I mean, I love my kids and all but 16 hours confined in a Nissan Armada and I was ready for a vacation from my vacation. Which is coming soon when Chad and I go on our Carribean Cruise in April. Can't come fast enough. But the Christmas decorations are all down and the house is back to normal. Until our next adventure.......

We are complete..... Again!

After a long 7 months, Daddy finally made it back home! Thank you God for keeping him safe and bringing him back home to us!!

Face First

The Big 1

The Finogle household just celebrated a very important day.... Chase's 1st birthday. We celebrated his special day w/ pizza for dinner and cupcakes. I wanted to test the waters to see if he would give us a good show for his birthday by digging in the cupcake and boy did he go to town! At first it was slow and I kept wondering if maybe he just isn't one of those that likes to get messy or likes sweets. But he eventually proved me wrong and actually got upset when I finally took the cupcake away for fear of him getting sick to his stomach and vomiting.

So we then traveled to PA to celebrate w/ Chad's side of the family. We had a party at my SIL's w/ tons of food and a ginormous cake. The theme was sailboats and no expense was spared. I went all out for this kid... after all you only turn 1 - once! There was one thing lacking..... and that would be daddy. I struggled w/ whether or not I wanted to do a big party for Chase due to Chad being deployed but I really started to feel bad and flashed forward 20 years and didn't want to have to answer to a 20 year old young man as to why there were no photos of him on his 1st birthday. So I sucked it up and we pulled one off. But we certainly had daddy in our thoughts the entire day. After stuffing our faces w/ Grammy's yummy bbq and macaroni salad and baked beans it was finally time for cake. Once again, Chase took his sweet time w/ digging in but he eventually got the hang of it. Once he decided he was done he actually went to push the cake away so Aunt Shelby picked it up and offered one more bite to which he did not object to and went face first right into the cake. It. Was. AWESOME! And I am so glad I had the camera going. :)

We had a great time and I am so glad that I pushed the depressed feelings I had away about Chad not being there away and celebrated a milestone... The Big 1!

Crafty Challenged

Home project # 1 complete! Like that didn't take forever! I finally got around to purchasing letters for Chase's name for his room... that took almost a year to do. Not sure why, but it just wasn't a priority.... guess its the 3rd child syndrome. At any rate, I packed the boys up after purchasing the letters and reluctantly made my way to Michaels. This store makes me feel crafty challenged. I see all these other ladies who have their basket full of flowers or paints or other items that then intend on making into some fabulous piece of art... and I think to myself... why can't I be like that. Just see something on the shelf and know how to whip into something creative. God did not bless this momma w/ a crafty brain. But I try. So made my way into the paint section looking for stencils, totally not the reason I went there in the first place and found a nice nautical themed stencil set as well as a train stencil. So i tossed it in the cart. Then, i realized i don't have brushes or sponges to do the stencils. Quickly found those - Martha Stewart brand might I add, thinking that by channeling my inner Martha will some how help my lack of craftiness. Wishful thinking. So I get to the paint section - Martha Stewart brand again.... and there are a million choices (totally exagerating because thats what it seemed like to me) and in a million finishes. There were Matte, semi-gloss, super gloss... if only there was a choice for someone who was crafty challenged. Oh well... so i tossed in the basics - Red, White, Light Blue, Dark Blue and what looked to be a cross between a Gray and Tan color. After about 2 hours in Michaels and other various Halloween items that made their way into my cart (i have no idea how that happened - I swear (wink wink)) LOL!! I made my way to the register and paid for my purchase. Got home and sat at the table looking at the letters for Chase's name and had no idea where to begin other than to slap some paint on the letters. After about 3 days of painting and mixing colors this is the end result:

I must say that I am kind of proud of myself. I think the colors turned out perfect even though at the time it seemed like such a screw up. And i think they look fabulous on Chase's wall. :)

Now on to the next project.... Troy's letters and his Train room that I have promised him. Haven't told him that I am beside myself because I have no idea what I am doing! LOL!!

Double Digits

We are over the half way mark of this deployment w/ Chad and finally in the double digits. We couldn't be happier!! This deployment has been different in so many ways. Troy is older and is missing daddy more this time. The things I often hear from him are:

"I wish daddy was here."
"Where is daddy at now?"
"Daddy will fix that for you mommy."
"Daddy would like this."
"Mommy, I miss daddy."
"Mommy, when does daddy come home again"

It makes my heart break to hear these things, but I remind him that this is daddy's job and that he has to help people all around the world. But somehow little 4 year olds just don't understand that.

When Chad left Chase was just sitting up and had just started solid foods. He now is crawling, standing, walking w/ assistance, eating some table food and you can often hear him saying:

"momma"
"dada"
"baba"
"gaga"
"nahnah"
"uh oh"

Every day is a reminder of just how fast time flies and how quickly our children grow up. We all miss Chad and homecoming can't come soon enough!!

My favorite time of year.....Fall

Boy has this summer been busy!! We traveled to PA for the July 4th holiday and spent almost 3 weeks in Florida and then had to evacuate up to PA again for Hurricane Irene. Which didn't even look like anything had come through here when we drove back. But glad we evacuated and spent time w/ Chad's family. After the storm passed I could faintly smell Fall in the air. I get so excited by this as Fall is my favorite time of year. The kids go back to school, the leaves change and fall and there is a crispness in the air and I am finally able to open the windows w/out the air on and let nature in. It also spurs me to bake. I am not sure what it is, but I get this burning desire to bake during the fall. Anything from cakes to cookies to breads. I made some cakes in a jar for Chad while we were in Florida and shipped those off to him and he said they turned out fabulous. So I might try a few more of those. He likes carrot cake so I might try that.

Aside from that, there is a project we are doing and will hopefully have it done before Daddy gets back from deployment. We are going to do Troy's room w/ a Train theme. I have to figure out in which direction I want to go w/ it as I don't want to do cartoonish trains and have Troy out grow it in a year. Plus we have Chase's 1st birthday coming up that I am planning for w/ a Nautical theme. Might do some other painting in the house too. So I have my to do list going and can't wait to mark each one off and post here the results.

Nana's Visit June 2011

Click here to view this photo book larger

Story Time w/ Daddy

Thanks to a wonderful program called United Through Reading, Chad is able to record himself reading books to the kids and send that DVD home so the kids can view it. And today was our lucky day!! After a little over 3weeks of anxiously waiting, we finally received Daddy's package and the boys LOVED IT!!!

Cruisin Time.....

Chad and I won a Carnival Cruise at the Command Christmas Party last year and we have finally booked it.... THANK YOU DEBBIE BONILLA FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!!! Can't wait to go. Chad and I cruised on our honeymoon to Bahamas, Virgin Islands, & St. Maarten and had a blast!! We were hoping to get to Hawaii this year w/ our good friends Ryan and Kelly to celebrate our 5 year anniversaries, but Chad went on deployment and we had Chase, and life happened for both of us. So this cruise will kind of be our celebration of our 5 yr anniversary. Totally looking forward to the rest and relaxation that is to come!!!!

1st Beach visit of the summer