Unicycles

Since moving here I've noticed a lot of little kids riding around on unicycles. I always kind of giggle to myself because for one it's funny and I see them all the time lately. I am amazed at the site of young children riding unicycles, without falling. There are two little girls on our street that I see all the time. One that has mastered the art of unicycling and the other who isn't so good yet but she doesn't give up. The picture is of a girl at the beach a few days ago. Anyway, I just thought that this was a silly little hobby for the Japanese. However, I learned that unicycling became popular back in the 80's when the ministry of education made it a part of the Japanese school day curriculum. It helps kids master balance, as well as patience. Apparently, it only takes kids about a week to get the hang of it. Definitely not something I plan on taking up. I like my teeth! I found it very interesting. Mostly because Japanese children are so well behaved that I wonder what other patience practice exercises they have...

Happy Day After Valentine's Day...

I've never cared much for Valentine's Day. But a few years ago while I was working at Healthfile ...an office full of 20 women, I sat and watched as the door opened every hour for some lucky lady getting flowers. I knew that I would not be one of them, Matt would NEVER have flowers delivered. I agree it's a huge waste of money. However, by the end of the day I HATED Valentine's Day!! Me and two other girls that didn't get any flowers that day decided that we were going to celebrate the day after Valentine's Day. The next morning on the way to work I stopped at Walmart and brought all kinds of Valentine goodies for 75% off. We gave each other flowers and stuffed animals and had a good time being silly about our made up celebration. Crystal and I have continued our holiday ever since...not sure what happened to Sammie.

Every year I went to work knowing that I was not going to be one of the girls that got flowers and every year by the end of the day I was pissed off. I wasn't pissed at Matt, just at how stupid Valentine's Day is for those of us who don't get flowers delivered. But I always looked forward to the next day. The great thing about "the day after Valentine's Day" is that it's super cheap...everything is marked down the next day! I don't have anyone to celebrated my made up holiday with this year so this is just a little something for all you girls who get something ... show a little love to the girl that didn't get anything and buy her a stuff aniamal for $2.00 and wish her a Happy Day After Valentine's Day!!

Nothing like a little walk...

After throwing myself a pity party all morning, I decided to get out and got for a walk. Gavin and I walked across the street and walked down the seawall to the beach. It's so beautiful here, how could I stay in a bad mood? The view just brought me so much peace. I've been praying that God would give me peace and I found it on my walk. I know that I can do this...I've done it before. Last time I didn't have kids and I had great friends in Panama City to help me AND I was only 3 hours from home. I am going home that's for sure. I know that it's going to be a pain to work it all out but I can't stay here alone...I'm not that strong :) I know that God will take care of all of us.

Bad news...

Why is it that pregnancy and orders to Iraq come hand in hand in my life?!?! Yes, I just said orders to Iraq...for April. Which mean that Matt won't be here when the new baby is born and I'm in JAPAN, ALONE! I'm so confused and upset! I don't know what to do. I can't stay here by myself for 6 months and have a baby, alone in the middle of it all. I don't know if they will let me go home and if so there are so many things to think about and do. I would have to make sure that we are allowed to go home for this reason because I would have to get a new OB, Gavin's dr's, new baby set up with Tricare, passport for the new baby and a million other things and all of that can't be done without the military's OK. Gavin just started speech therapy this week and I was just starting to get settled in and even make a few friends. The silver lining is, if I get to go home is that I'll be home with friends and family and that's 100% better than being here alone! But I'd much rather not have to deal with this at all right now. It's never easy to get news like this but WHY NOW! And only 2 months away. It seems like last time we had 6 months to prepare. I HATE THIS , I HATE THIS, I HATE THIS!!!!!

Baby names...

At this point in my pregnancy with Gavin we had already decided on baby names. I don't know why but we can't seem to get on the same page with this kid. We had Avery Elizabeth picked out if Gavin was a girl but now Matt has decided that he's not so sure he likes it. Mostly because he has made up his mind that this baby is another boy and girl names don't matter. So the only other name we can agree on for a girl is Addison. I like this name but my heart is still really set on Avery. I have to respect the fact that Matt's not really feeling it. ...maybe he'll change is mind. For a boy we have a few that we both like which means it's hard to just pick one. Carson, Maddox and Ethan. I'm favoring Maddox but I don't want people to think of Bradgelina every time they say my kids name.

So, what do you guys think?? I need some feedback.

Potty Training Day #1

Oh the joy of parenthood... I'll share this story with you all because I love you so much. Over the past month my lovely little one has decided that he no longer wants to wear his diaper. Along with pulling it off very chance he gets, he has also decided that when he goes #2 that it's necessary to bring me hands full of POO! This is really NOT COOL! Sometimes he doesn't always make it to me first and I will find him playing in his room and everything is covered in crap! I've been thinking "maybe it's time to potty train" but since Gavin is not talking at all yet, I didn't really know how to communicate with him about potty training. Now that bringing me his poop has become a daily event I've decided something has got to get!

So, off we went today to buy a little potty, big boy underwear and pull ups. I wasn't really sure where to start so once he got up from his nap I thought "everyone has to pee when they wake up" right? I sat him down on his new little ELMO potty and he jumps up like the thing was going to bite him. So, I sit down on the toliet and try to show him that this is mommy's potty and that's Gavin's potty. I put him back on and he jumps off again. But this time he squats down next to it and pees on the floor. I pick him up and toss him on his toliet and he jumps up again and continues to pee on the floor. I couldn't do anything but laugh. I think he maybe has the idea but is not so sure about that ELMO potty. Anyway, I know that it's not going to be easy but I figured if i'm cleaning up poop anyway I may as well be cleaning it while trying to teach him. That on top of the speech therapy we've just started ... pray for my sanity!

The Alphabet Game!

I got this from Kristen... she tagged me with the letter "R". So, after a lot of thought here are my list of ten things that I love starting with the letter "R"...

1. ROLL TIDE ROLL! I LOVE Alabama Football. My parents always had season tickets growing up. So every Saturday home game until I was 18 was spent at a football game. I miss it very much. Unless you're from the South or part of the SEC you really have no understanding of what College football means to us. I actually paid for a hotel room here in Japan so that I could watch the Alabama/Florida game. People here thought I was nuts and I tried to tell them " I love football and you have no idea how important this game is... I don't care that I have to get up at 4 am to watch it". Somehow I married an Auburn fan and the past 6 years have not been so nice for me.

2. Rings. Who doesn't love a little bling? I love my wedding rings and thanks to my Mother-in-law, I've got a nice little collection of right hand bling too!

3. Reading. For some reason people are always surprised to find out that I like to read. Apparently people who read have a certain "look". I love reading! I read everything from novels to the label on my body wash.

4. Relaxing. Nothing is better than a good nap to make you feel like new again. I love napping with Gavin or just lying around watching TV or reading a good book.

5. Ravioli. Yummy! I love me some Pasta. Ferrucci's in Panama City, hands down the best hole in the wall Italian joint around. My mouth is watering just thinking about their ravioli. And their bread, I know it don't start with R but I would eat a whole basket of their bread when I was pregnant with Gavin.

6. Rainbows. There is something very magical about a rainbow. No one can see a rainbow and not stop and take a minute to enjoy the peacefulness. This picture is actually of a double rainbow in Panama City.



7. Roller coasters. I love love love roller coasters. The more twist and truns the better! I love that "oh crap" feeling you get when you're slowly creeping to the top just before you take the plundge! They're never long enough.

8.Rihanna. I haven't heard a song yet that I don't love. Her music is just so dang catchy, she has a tasteful edgy style and lets not forget she's beauiful...even with a mohawk! Oh and that cute Barbados accent.

9.Recipes. I would have never said this two months ago but now that I spend half my day surfing the internet for something yummy to make, I can now say that I love a good recipes.

10.Rock. I love rock music. Not the heavy metal, hardcore, head bangin', screaming kind. Chris Daughtry, Bon Jovi, Fall out Boy, Incubus, Matchbox 20, Seether...that's my kinda music.

So, now you have my list. If you want to play along, leave me a comment and I'll give you a letter.