Backwards

First of all, the pictures are backwards (time-line wise) but we've also been feeling a bit backwards without Brian here. Bad news: Brian did not get selected for MARSOC. Got through the entire 6 week Assessment and Selection, all for them to tell him that he's not assertive enough for them. I won't rant on this blog, because it's a family blog :), but that's such a load of crap. Whatever, bring on the next hurdle in this crazy Marine Corps life...

Okay, here we go:

Johnny fell asleep at the Fall Festival on base. Yay!

Galina fed this little goat, then that little goat bonked the other little goat so that it wouldn't take it's food. So, Galina fed the mean little goat again...and loved it.

Galina rode a pony named Spirit. She enjoyed it. I didn't know if she'd get on or not, but she did, and she didn't say a word the entire time she was on that saddle. That means she was 50% scared and 50% excited. 100% tongue tied. So, she panted - like Bing and George.

Yes, that's who she was imitating when she panted. She didn't say it, but I know it.

This is Gentry, and her Mom, Ashley, and they rode a different little pony. He was super old. Gentry is a light weight, as opposed to Galina the heavy weight :) Anyhow, you've seen Gentry before. She and Galina are suffering through me and Ashley doing a home school pre-school.

Waiting their turn, WHICH they ended up doing for about 45 minutes - and they did great. We fed them cheap hotdogs and potato chips...but at least we gave them water and not soda. Although, I'd have chosen it for myself had I been given that choice.

A silly, mousy little face. I love it.

Gummers.

Taking off. Flying the nest. Leaving on a jet plane, well, foot-powered, plastic car...at any rate, she's gone. She's too big for this thing - but don't tell her that.

Playing in his carseat because I'm a great Mom. You can't see the KFC on the table in front of him that G and I had for dinner that night. What? KFC? No. I feed my kids home-cooked meals morning, noon and night. You don't?

I don't know - it's so frustrating to take 500 pictures of the same smile because I can't make myself delete any of them. I have to pray that something is blurry or something so I can delete it without feeling guilty that I'm deleting a picture of my child. I'm working on it. Deleteaphobia.

She's like 1980's HOT and doesn't even know it. Forgive me, I caught a little bit of 'Teen Witch' on ABCFamily this morning.

Jumping. Probably whining, actually, because I had been practicing the piano and ignoring him and then taking pictures of him and basically ignoring him. Even though I'm completely focused on him. One day he'll understand.

Galina. There just aren't words for that child's energy levels and enthusiasm.

Dogs. They're always there.

One of the many "projects" I worked on while Brian was gone. A giant ruler that is a growth chart. It makes me happy. Thanks Pinterest.

Napping. This is momentous. He's in his crib, and he's on his back, and he's asleep. I should be asleep right now. Although this isn't a picture of him right now, but he is sleeping right now. Hmm, I should really be asleep. Really.

Another 1980's hot mess :) The onesie and t-shirt were gifts from an awesome lady in our ward. Very cool :)

More sleeping, and, again, I should be sleeping.

I bought a table and chairs for the back porch. Galina is (I should say was) obsessed with eating outside, probably because we didn't have a table and I was always moving chairs and benches out to eat on. Bought a table, haven't had her ask to eat outside since. She'd say, "Of course." She says that a lot. Wonder why...?

Another momentous occasion. Galina climbed into the chair and asked me to take a picture of her with her friends. Of course, I had to do it again when she asked to see it and saw Johnny in the frame. But I like this one better. "Of course." :)

By the way, that's baby sea lion and big sea lion (aren't we inventive) - just in case you're ever on the phone with her and she starts talking about them. She's a talker, buddy. Quite a talker. Wonder why...?

A crazy trip to the beach, which I regretted because I got an awful sunburn and Johnny's little cheeks did too :( Worst Mother of the Year Award (no that was for today when I let him bounce and wiggle his way out of that very chair on the living room floor because I didn't have him buckled in...).

Spent the first week Brian was gone working on Galina's room. This is a fantastic quilt that Galina's Great Grandma Baldwin sent to Brian and I upon our marriage. I can't keep it from her. She loves it. And it wasn't until I took the pictures of it on the bed that I realized it had a pattern. I'm awful. And, again, I need sleep these days.

Her painted dresser, make shift bookshelf that she has repurposed into a dollhouse, and her little kitchen that I love and that she actually plays with.

I have a picture of Galina just like this too. It doesn't seem comfortable enough, but they've both done it. Almost every time we go for a walk in it.

Shoe-less. And lovin' it. She's going to be so much trouble.

Eating granola bars in the garage while Johnny was napping (gotta wrangle the noise somehow) - her gum is on her knee. Saving it for later. Bing, always at hand when food is involved. The Uke. She loves it and will serenade anyone that stands still long enough for her to think up a song. She'll say to me, "I'm gonna sing you a song." I'll say, "Okay, let's hear it." She says, "As soon as I make it up."

This was probably the first week Brian was gone. Johnny found his feet. I love it.

Johnny's first try in the bouncy seat. Had to put a pillow under his feet, but he was happy - for about 2 seconds. Good thing I had my camera handy.

Well, I'm off to bed. A big week ahead of us. I'm having a Halloween party for about 9 kids under the age of 3 and Brian is COMING HOME! We are so excited about that. Absolutely cannot wait. We miss Daddy SO much. Glad he got to see everyone in NC. Wish we could. Hopefully soon. Soon.

Will keep everyone posted about what's up next for us. I won't lie though, I've heard a lot of rumors that people are getting back to back orders for here in Hawaii. Cross your fingers that we aren't part of that group!