Halloween

So I took the kids trick or treating tonight with a friend of mine and her kids. Wow! I think every child within a 10 mile radius was also out as well, leading me to wonder, if all the kids and their parents are out, then who is left to hand out candy? Nonetheless, there were people handing out candy to my little pirate and fairy.
Going trick or treating is quite the adventure when your kids are 3 and 5. We started out strong, running, laughing, playing, all fun and games. Things were going good as we rounded the corner of the street, they were excited to be with there friends and dying to eat the candy they already had gotten.

Now as we go to the second block things began to deteriorate slightly. There was some whining, but not too much. However, as we rounded the corner on the second block (the furthest point from our starting point) things went under in a hurry. The kids (mainly Ben) are whining that their feet hurt and their baskets are heavy. Benjamin is lagging so far behind its ridiculous, leading my friend to ask, "Is this overwhelming for him (AKA: Is he always this slow?)." To which I respond, unfortunately, yes he is always this slow the kid doesn't get staying with the group, or hurrying in any way shape or form. It is a foreign concept to him, he resides in the World According to Ben and everyone else needs to get on board. In his mind he isn't the slow one, we are all just going too fast. And even as I listen to Ben tell me he is done and wants to go home, something in me wants to keep going from house to house, why might you ask do I want to continue the torture that is trick or treating when my kids no longer care to get anymore candy? Well, the buckets aren't full and for some reason it seems like they should be full! Keep knocking, get in line, just because it isn't fun anymore doesn't mean we stop we press on until we have conquered EVERY SINGLE HOUSE!!!

Now I have to say that although my gut reaction is the one stated above, we did stop and head back home when the kids stated they were done and wanted to go home and play, the mother in me took over my overacheiver mindset and we trekked and yes I do mean trekked, dragging my pirate and trying to control my fairy who was so hopped up on sugar she might have actually been able to fly given the chance back home to play for a little bit.

Going trick or treating with preschoolers is kind of like eating 2 fat pieces of rich chocolate cake. Each bite seems so delicious and the second piece doesn't seem like a bad idea until it is all consumed and you feel sick to your stomach like you are about to explode and you never want to see chocolate cake for a long while. Trick or treating is so fun at first, the kids look so cute, they are having such a good time on the first block you go to so you think lets continue the fun and go to a second block until you get to the back corner of the block and you realize no one is having anymore fun, the kids aren't as cute, you aren't as cute as you snap orders to stay out of the street and you don't want to see one more lighted house giving out candy that you will have to stop at, you just want to get back to square one, take off the costumes and not see halloween decorations for another year.

Well, the night is over, the halloween festivities which have encompassed our entire weekend are over, the costumes hung up, the kids are fast asleep, and the candy is calling my name as I resist the urge to raid their pumpkins for anything gooey and chocolate. Although I am glad that the night is done and normalcy will reign again as Monday arrives, in all seriousness, I did enjoy watching the little faces of my pirate and fairy as they looked with wonderment at their full pumpkins and all the candy like it was a million dollars sitting right in front of them. It is amazing how easy it is to thrill little ones. A $17 costume changes their whole persona and a bucket full of candy makes their night. They are precious and sweet and I look forward to lots more halloweens to watch them thrill over costumes and candy.

So I have been MIA for a while as we have began settling our life here in OK. So what might you wonder has been up with the Dell's?

We are super excited that our house is coming available in ONE WEEK! We are currently living in a little apartment and without 90% of our things which all remain in storage. I have taken for granted having a plethora of baking dishes, all my clothes (specifically a jacket!), couches, chairs, and all the little things you don't realize you use all the time (envelopes, markers, stamps, pictures). Cooking with one baking dish and one mixing bowl is shall I say challenging?! I have never washed dishes so often in one night just making dinner. But I get to view the house on the 9th and then we can move in! And bonus it is on the first level! Our apartment that we have now has two flights of stairs, one set to just get in the house and then one to get to all the bedrooms and bathrooms, that's right you have to go upstairs just to go to the bathroom, and yes it is inconvenient, but soon to be over!

Peter is away right now for training and we are missing him terribly. We are actually going to see him next weekend and the kids and I are super excited to see him!

Grace and Ben are enjoying school and we are all trying to acclamate to the weather. It is not the same as Florida . . . duh. Last night was in the high 30's low 40's I believe? Quite a change from the 80 degrees in the south.

So I am back on the horse and will update more often now that we are in the swing of things, sort of.

Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE!!

Happy Birthday to the man I love. I hope that your day is special. Just a few special things about you!

1. Only your humor can get me in stitches at the most innocuous thing.
2. Your smile lights up a room.
3. Your quiet strength and caring spirit makes you more attractive to me every day.
4. Your children adore you and your ability to be a human jungle gym is amazing.
5. Only you can wear a blanket cape and make it look good!
6. Who else can I trust to be my human GPS within 6 minutes of arriving in a new place?
7. You look good in ACU's, when you leave for work I wonder, "Who is getting their butt kicked today, Hooah!?"
8. Your intelligent and the best problem solver I know.
9. You care about me and even let me be a little ridiculously crazy at times (i.e. Grace's school, the king bed, need I go on?)
10. You love me and our kids and we love you, we are a family and I wouldn't have it any other way, and that in my opinion is pretty special!

I love you my dear and I think you are an amazing man. I am so glad that we are taking this amazing journey together. I look forward to all that the next 20 years hold and can't wait to open our bed and breakfast. I love you with my whole heart!

Your Wife

Family

So we are headed out tomorrow for Oklahoma. Our new home with the army and I had the last dinner with my family tonight. It was alot of fun recounting memories, playing games and eating a meal. I am really close with my family and I am going to miss them all so much. I never really envisioned myself leaving my family "for real," and now the day is upon me. I will miss my dad and his witty demeanor and even though it drives me crazy, his opinionated comments. I will miss my mom, my best friend, she is always there to help, to hug, to laugh, and to comfort. She has been my shoulder to lean on and cry on for as long as I can remember. I will miss my brother Billy who was my best playmate when I was little. What other brother would be your dance partner when you were obsessed with dancing and singing. I will miss my brother Ryan who is passionate about whatever he does. He can love big and is the person you want on your side, no matter what. My family is great and I will miss them alot. I am already looking forward to coming home.

Whining

Whining . . . just the word is annoying. Peter and I have been trying to teach the kids (mainly Ben) to just use his words to ask for what he wants instead of whining about everything and every little thing requiring tears. Tonight was a small success followed by a reverting back to whining. I guess I am just being paid back for all of my whining as a kid and as a teen. In fact, when I was talking to Ben tonight I was reminded of working at Winn Dixie as a teenager. Why you might ask . . . well that is were I met my lovely husband of ten years. I was a cashier, he was the front end manager (however, he was not my manager, he was the manager over the baggers really, although I am sure he would disagree, this is the truth.) Peter used to say that I was a whiner with a poor work ethic (very suave right??) and one day presented me with a new name badge that instead of saying my name said "Whiner." What about my whining was so attractive, I don't know but it must have worked, because here we are.
Nonethless, we are tackling the whining. If you here of a woman who chose to go voluntarily deaf, it may be me. Am I whining right now about whining????

Road Trip

So we have been on a road trip to check out our future digs here in Oklahoma. I don't think I ever thought that I would say that I will be or live in Oklahoma, but exciting none the less. We have spent the last two days in the car with our two little ones. It is 20 hours from Riverview to Lawton. It is quite a haul. The first day seemed to fly by, but the second . . . not so much. I think the last 3 hours from the middle of nowhere Texas to Lawton was like an entire day all in itself.

During the trip I drove for a while, and of course I prefer to drive when there is no exits to get off of and I can just set the cruise and not worry about getting everyone lost. I am the only person on the face of the planet that has the uncanny ability to get lost while having a GPS tell me exactly where to go. And of course I take over and I end of driving through Dallas, Texas, I think I only stayed on each road 5 miles each and to make matters worse it was like 5:30-6:00 drive time traffic. I think possibly my worst driving nightmare. My wonderful husband, who needed a break, stayed awake and helped me navigate all the road changes, exits and traffic.

Our kiddies were really angels on the trip, with the exception of the necessary to every road trip bantor like, he's touching me, she has more pillow than me, I can't see the dvd, She's pressing the buttons, and the mother of all questions: Are we in Oklahoma yet? Tehy weathered all the sitting well, and I am really proud of them. Which will be rewarded with some hotel pool time tomorrow.

We have (obviously) made it here safely and we are getting settled into our Best Western hotel room (the lap of luxury) and are excited to check out the area tomorrow.

We are having dinner with another military family tomorrow night as well and looking forward to making a connection here in our new home to be. It will be nice to see a friendly face when we return to stay for good!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day Babe! I wanted to find a way to honor you and let you know what a great dad I think you are to our babies. So here are some of the things I think make you an extra special daddy.


1. You laugh at the kid's jokes even when they aren't funny.

2. You strive to make our daughter feel like a real princess.

3. You let Ben ride on the mower with you even though it would probably be faster and easier without him.

4. You can make even things that aren't fun like brushing teeth and going to bed an adventure.

5. You say I love you all the time.

6. The kids feel like they can talk to you because of your grace and kindness with them.

7. You always make sure to give them hugs and kisses before you leave each day.

8. You leave them little notes even though they can't read.

9. You give in to their silly wants like blue and pink cups after you have already poured milk in a red one, an entire glass of milk with cereal (which is totally unnecessary), sitting in the number two chair, or doing it over because that isn't the way Mommy does it (as Grace would say.)

10. You can be a kid with them and find the true joy in being a parent even though being a parent can be exhausting.

I see in you the heart of our Father, you have a deep desire to really know our kids, not just to raise them to be good people that make a difffernce in this world, but to really truly know them. To know their passions, their weaknesses, their loves, likes, and dislikes. To know their true heart and soul and to guide them and direct them according to that, not according to what job will make them most successful or what school will make them the smartest. I love the way that you love them. No we don't always get it perfect, shoot sometimes we can make a real mess of a situation, but I know and believe with my whole heart that our children know already at their young age and will grow to understand even more that their father loves them with the heart of the Father and that love will transcend all things both small and big. I love to watch you love our children and when I hear you call Ben "daddy's boy" or Grace your "little princess", or see you take the time to let Ben ride in the red car, or spend time with Grace when you are tired after a day's work just because she needs her dad I am so thankful that you are the father to our children. They are blessed to have you as their daddy and I am blessed to be your wife. Thank you for loving us the way only you can. You are our hero!

Love your Wife

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Love this dress, I want to have it! Had to link in hopes of adding this lovely dress to my wardrobe!

We are Army Strong

So . . . what does the army have to do with my blog might you ask? Peter is taking a job with the army, he is swearing in as an active duty soldier on Monday. Shocked? Most people have been when we have told them. So here are the details and answers to the most commonly asked questions. 1. We don't know where we are going yet it will take 30 to 90 days to get orders to where we will be stationed. 2. No, he does not have to go to basic training. He is not enlisting in the army, but is being commissioned as an officer. Which actually takes approval through the Senate. 3. He will be going in at the rank of captain. 4. Yes, we are super excited to start this new adventure in our life!

So if you know anyone who would love to purchase our beautiful home in a great neighborhood with a great yard, it is officially for sale because we are moving!

The Promise of a Mother's Prayers

I have a devotional book called "The Promise of a Mother's Prayers" and it has been my favorite for years. I have probably gone through it at least 4 different time and am on my 5th. The book is divided into 31 different 2 page devotionals where Scharlotte Rich talks about the real deal of being a mom. She breaks the supermom myth and talks about the reality of what every mom struggles with patience, unconditional love . . . all the time. Here are a couple of the prayers that are included that have really stuck with me these last few days.

This one was after a devotional on what legacy you will pass onto your children:

Lord, thank you for the new legacy you have given me as your child of grace. Help me pass the things you have taught me on to my children so they can start a little ahead of where I was. Give me you wisdom as I raise them. Help me understand their strengths and teach them to follow you.

I pray for my children, that you would break any hold past sins and family weaknesses would have on them. Let what has been hidden come to light. Put your wall of protection around them. Grow their strengths and give them courage to walk in your ways, even though sometimes they will have to walk a differnt path from their friends and acquaintances. Give them hearts that are soft toward the things that matter to you. Prevent any ungodly legacies from being passed on to them. Please give each child a special gift that he or she can use for your glory and pass on as a new legacy.

After a devotional on not being a "perfect mom":

Thank you Father God, that your love is not based on my performance. Please open my eyes to any ways I may have unintentionally placed unrealistic expectations on my children. Please replace my worries with faith in you. Please help my children learn that you are trustworthy and that your love is on based on their performance.

i just loved these two, so I thought I would share. I have to say there is nothing more powerful than praying for your children and seeing what you have prayed for grow in them.