The Malloy Clan

Back to school

2011-08-03T02:56:00.002-10:00

Time for school, time for school!!

This year, I have an 11th grader, an 8th grader, a 7th grader and a 4th grader. And a silly monkey two year old to keep me company/make messes/give hugs & kisses to.

I can't believe how big they're getting. I wish that they'd slow down a little!!!

St. Patrick's Day - Savannah Style

2011-03-17T15:46:00.007-10:00

Warning: Extremely long post with many pictures ahead!

The kids and I went into downtown Savannah today for the St. Patrick's Day parade. Now, I knew it was a big deal, simply because I was told that it would take about 4 hours for the whole parade to go by. And I knew that Savannah had a very large St. Patrick's Day celebration each year. But I had no idea exactly what was in store....

We were invited to hang out with Sherry and her friends & family. You know, Sherry from Ernest, our builders. I told you they have treated us like family. They set up camp on Abercorn and President Street, in front of 17Hundred90 Hotel and Restaurant, which is a prime location. We took some food with us to share and off we went.

We'll start with Sam...t-shirt an original Jen Malloy!

Virginia Tech's band was one of the first to come by. As a side note, I've decided that I REALLY would like one of those town houses in the background. GORGEOUS, right on Oglethorpe Square. In my dreams!

One of the many bagpipe and drum groups to come by....LOVE the kilts!

A tradition that we weren't aware of was that women and girls wear bright red lipstick and give kisses to men in the parade....and they "collect" lipstick prints. We'll be ready next year! You can sort of see a bright red print on this man's cheek!

Gotta love the Clydedales...they had a beautiful Dalmation that rode along on top of the wagon too. He was so chill, he just laid there!

A short video of another bagpipe group

No St. Patrick's Day parade would be complete without a Leprechaun!

We just thought this baby was yummy with her sweet little smocked dress!

Even SCAD (for people outside of Savannah - Savannah College of Art and Design) had a drum and bugle corps!

Sam crashed out for awhile, and nothing, not even fire trucks, could wake him up!

What DID wake him up were these folks...

I don't think that the uniforms looked this good when Johnny came marching home....but who am I? Anyway, they formed up and shot their guns, and Sam woke right up!

Not exactly sure what a goat has to do with St. Patrick's Day.....but here's an Irish goat....

...along with an Irish cowboy!

Irish step dancers - they were AWESOME!

Okay, those of you on Facebook....I said something about making a Ranger crack a smile. Here's the story....3ID came marching by. They had some MAJOR slinky effect going on (for those of you not Army related, that means their formation was messed up, and people started not leaving enough space, and getting too close together - like a Slinky does).

Then the Rangers walked by, and stopped in front of us, and I remarked to Meredith that the Rangers knew how to march properly because THEY didn't have any problems with Slinky effect! Poor Ranger dude couldn't keep a straight face!

My boys!

Ian and Inflata-Coastie!

I saved the best for last....there was a group of NYPD officers that were marching, and they stopped in front of us. Ian reached out to give the one guy a high five, and he gave him an NYPD patch. I said, "Oh, please, can I take a quick picture?" He said sure - the hatless one plopped his hat on Ian's head and gave him another, different patch. I didn't have any lipstick on, but those sweet guys both got kisses from me for making my little boy's day. He's carried those patches around with him, looked at them, said how nice and how awesome those officers were all day.

This will definitely be a tradition each year - especially since the kids have the day off from school! It was really a great day!

Sewing fun

2011-03-12T14:35:00.004-10:00

So.....we had a birthday party to go to for a certain little Minnie Mouse fan today. In the span of less than 3 hours, I had the dress and hairbow all ready to go!

I think I need an Etsy....

Detail on bow

Dress and bow together....yes, the dress is personalized in the Disney font!

I told you so!

2011-03-03T11:36:00.002-10:00

Stupid property managers. I called in January and in February to tell them that something was wrong with the heat pump. They blew me off. While Al was home last week, he looked in the attic at the stupid thing. It was missing something, so HE called them.

They came out today to look at it. Sure enough, it was extremely low on refrigerant AND the thermostat was broken, besides the obvious sucking-in-cold-attic-air problem of missing a cover.

It's all fixed now, and I feel vindicated. But why couldn't they have listened to me in January, and saved the kids and me a month of shivering AND a huge electricity bill in February? Why did it take someone with a phallus to get them to take care of this?

I guess in Georgia, women aren't supposed to know about heat pumps.

Counting down the days to The New House.....

Yeah, I know....

2011-01-24T05:57:00.002-10:00

...but this is ridiculous.

It's 49 degrees outside right now, according to Weather Underground. I have my thermostat set on 70. And I'm freezing. My hands are cold. My nose is cold. I'm huddled on the couch under a blanket. The temperature in the house is hovering around 66.

I know that it is much colder in other parts of the country today, but they have gas furnaces, not a lousy heat pump that clearly doesn't work well. And the kicker of all of this - the property manager doesn't seem to care. His solution: run the ceiling fans. Yeah, because creating a DRAFT makes it feel so much better in here. Idiot. The other thing about the ceiling fans - they are too high for me to adjust the speed on them, even from a ladder. And they're set on high. Not happening.

Hoping for spring to come soon!!

New Blog is up!

2011-01-18T05:38:00.003-10:00

I created the blog for the new house today.....there are no posts on it yet, but stay tuned! I go to sign the contract this afternoon.

Here's the linky!

The Malloy Clan Builds a House

We. Miss. Hawaii.

2011-01-12T12:56:00.002-10:00

A lot has changed at The Malloy Clan. I'm not going to go into all the nitty-gritty details, because frankly, *I* don't know what the hell happened. Suffice it to say, I'm still married, I still stay at home with my five awesome kids, and I'm still drowning in laundry. So I guess other than avoiding that whole D-word thing, not a whole lot has changed.

We don't live in Hawaii anymore. We live in Georgia, outside of Savannah. We're no longer an Army family. Al is a government contractor. While he seems a lot happier, I'm still adjusting. I miss my friends. I miss free health care, crappy as it was sometimes. I really miss COLA. I suppose after 13 years of living one kind of life, it would take more than a few months to adjust to a whole new one. I'm working on it. I miss Hawaii with every cell of my body.

Georgia is nice. I like our neighborhood, I hate our house. I'm glad we're only renting it - next week, we sign a contract to build a house. I'll probably start a new blog just to cover the house. I'm looking forward to building the house, after years of living in government housing.

Oh, I suppose it's time for some pics of my gorgeous children....

Christmas Eve, 2010

Sam hearts lasagna

2010-04-20T07:42:00.004-10:00

I made lasagna over the weekend, and Sam was in L-O-V-E

He ate lasagna like a refugee. I swear, I feed this kid!! (Notice Lily, waiting for him to drop something....)

I think he ate more lasagna than I did!

I'm not sure how it ended up on his forehead, but apparently, that's how he rolls.

He's serious about his food....

...and he's seriously cute!

Today's tears brought to you by.....Gymboree

2010-04-05T21:52:00.006-10:00

I never know what is going to set me off these days. Sometimes it's just looking at Sam and realizing that he's never going to have the kind of memories of his family being intact the way older kids will. Sometimes it takes nothing at all, the tears just come. Despite being accused (by my husband) of not being heartbroken over the fact that he wants a divorce, I am. It's as simple as that. There are no words that describe it.

Today, it was Gymboree. I have Gymbucks to use, and so I went to see what I could find for Mr. Sam. I found this.

For the last nearly 14 years, a lot of times when I've found something with airplanes, I've purchased it. Especially since the boys have been born, because finding cute boy clothes with airplanes or helicopters on them is hard. This line of clothes from Gymboree is adorable AND it's on sale AND I have Gymbucks! How awesome is THAT?! I was excited to dress Sam in it, take a picture and email it to Al.

And then I remembered.

And then I cried. Right there in the middle of Gymboree.

And I still didn't get to use my Gymbucks.

Happy Easter from my Peeps!

2010-04-04T10:57:00.002-10:00

Hope you all had as blessed Easter as we did.

Learning to dance on a shifted carpet

2010-03-28T21:06:00.004-10:00

There are some changes happening around here. They aren't for the good, at least not in my mind. Six weeks ago, I had the rug pulled out from under me when Alan told me he wanted a divorce. Telling the kids was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, and the resulting fog that I've been walking around in ever since - well, it hasn't been nice.

This isn't what anyone ever dreams how their life ends up. Untangling your life from another person's after 13 years is not easy. Holding it together for your babies when what you really want to do is fall apart is even harder.

But I can do it. I can get through it. The kids and I together will be fine. I'm very blessed to have a wonderful family who has been so supportive over the last several weeks, and friends who have propped me up when I've needed it. You all know who you are, and I'm so very thankful to have you in my life.

I'm not done grieving for the loss of my marriage. I don't think I will be for a long time, maybe I won't ever be done. I don't know. What I do know is that I'm very thankful for the five beautiful children who brighten even the darkest days.

"Instead of seeing the rug being pulled from under us, we can learn to dance on a shifting carpet."
-- Thomas Crum

Sam pulls up and other random Sam cuteness

2010-03-22T21:29:00.005-10:00

Not only is Sam crawling everywhere, but he is now pulling up and standing, too.

He is SO proud of himself!

He loves playing in the garden ~ this has been around since Maddie's first birthday, and many, many kiddos have enjoyed playing in it.

This is a toy he got for Christmas, and all of a sudden, he has a new perspective on it!

Apparently, it also tastes good.

He still loves bathtime.

I think it might be his favorite time of day.

He was pretty amazed at the bubbles.

He loves his Meredith ~ I think the feeling is entirely mutual.

Enjoying "real food" ~ cheesy chicken and baked potatoes!!

Everyone is doing well here at our house. The big kids are back in school after a pretty quiet spring break. Between Sam's ears and Maddie & Libby taking a week to clean their room, we didn't do a whole lot, but it was kind of nice to just stay home. Baseball season is over, and we have a little reprieve before soccer games start in April. The girls have some hula performances coming up this spring that they are excited about, Libby is still enjoying Taekwondo, and Meredith is getting anxious for paddling to start back up. As for me, I'm just trying to be the best mama I can and getting through each day one at a time. I guess at the end of the day, that's all I can do.

A spaghetti face and a jailbird

2010-03-11T21:37:00.004-10:00

I fed Sam some "real" spaghetti the other night.

He is definitely a fan!

Later that evening, we went to Elisabeth's BFF Jillian's band concert. It was held in a gym, so we sat on bleachers. Sam was obsessed with holding onto the bars on the edge of the bleachers. From the bottom, it looked like he was in jail, so I couldn't resist taking some pictures.

Cute little jailbird!

Meredith thought that he looked like he was ashamed of his jailbird ways in this picture. He's such a little ham!

Someone might be jealous....

2010-03-09T20:26:00.003-10:00

I walked into my room this morning, and this is what I found.....

Hobbes, sleeping in Sam's bed.

He was none too pleased at being disturbed.

Either he's jealous, or he's getting tired of Sam grabbing his ears and needed to escape for a nap.

"Because he loves his duck!"

2010-03-08T18:10:00.004-10:00

After a splashing mess that took an untold amount of towels to clean up last week on the kitchen floor (and counters, and cabinets), I decided it was time to put away the baby bathtub and graduate to the "big boy tub" for bath time. Now, Sam didn't always love bath time. As a newborn, he absolutely hated it.

Clearly his opinion of bath time has changed over the last 9 months!

And he has a new found love for bath time in the big tub. He loves being able to splash more, and have more toys in the bath with him. He especially loves his duck.

We sing, "The Ducky Song," from The Veggie Tales DVD, "King George and the Ducky," to him when he's in the bath tub a lot.

"Because he loves his duck!!"

Libby's first concert

2010-03-07T21:02:00.004-10:00

Libby had her first band concert last week. She was pretty nervous, but excited as well. This was before the concert.

Warming up.

"Mom, stop taking my picture!"

More warm ups.

The whole band playing together.

Even though they only had about a week to prepare their pieces for the festival, they did a very good job, and I was very proud of Libby. She works very hard at practicing her oboe and has learned a lot this year already. She really enjoys band!

The one with all the beach pictures

2010-03-06T15:54:00.009-10:00

The waves have been pretty big lately, and we know that they won't last much longer. The winter surfing season is coming to an end, and it's probably a pretty sure thing that we won't be here to see them next year, so we've been going to see them while we still can.

While we watch the waves, we always take the time to play on the sand.

Leaving our mark...

..albeit temporary

Little footprints...

...mingled with big ones, so sweet to see.

The awesome power of the ocean...

So beautiful...

Powerful and relaxing all at the same time.

We love the beach.

I have no idea what Sam was looking at, but I love this picture.

Libby was preparing for her band concert, held later that evening, so that's why she wasn't with us.

Ian was ready to run from the waves, Sam was just taking it all in. He loves the beach, too.

It will be so hard to leave Hawaii.

First time for everything, I guess...

2010-03-01T20:29:00.005-10:00

...and that includes ear infections.

Poor Sam has an ear infection in both ears. Amoxicillin, anyone?

Wednesday afternoon at the beach

2010-02-25T15:46:00.005-10:00

Wednesdays are half-days for the schools here in Hawaii, so this Wednesday, we decided to head up to the North Shore. We had a Flat Stanley project to take some pictures with, and we just hadn't been to the beach for awhile ~ we needed some sunshine and happiness around here. It's been a tough couple of weeks, and it was a gorgeous day to be outside.

We saw this sea turtle, sunning itself on the rocks at Haleiwa Beach Park.

Another view of the turtle.

The reasons I smile everyday.....

...and Flat Stanley!

Everyone show me a shaka! (except Sam, who says, "What are you people doing?" It's sad that he'll never remember Hawaii).

Sam got his pigs dipped. He kicked and splashed and smiled and laughed!

Gorgeous shot of Madeline.

After some serious shell-finding, we ended our afternoon getting some shave ice at Aoki's. We thought about going to Matsumodo's, but the line was INSANE. Sam thoroughly enjoyed mooching from his siblings and Mama.

Sideline antics

2010-02-22T17:30:00.002-10:00

With two baseball games a weekend, the girls & Sam have to find something to do to entertain themselves. Here are some pictures from this weekend.

Because Sam is intent on crawling off the blanket, the girls made a "sister playpen" for him! It worked pretty well!

Libby playing with Mr. Sam - he loves being upside down.

She was swinging him back and forth, too - his belly laughs were SO cute!

The girls and Sam made a totem pole - adorable! What you can't see is that Maddie is being held off the ground a little bit by Meredith - she wasn't quite tall enough to put her chin on Sam's head.

Sam is getting so close to pulling up....here, he was almost pulling himself up on Meredith.

Sam on the move!

2010-02-16T13:32:00.007-10:00

Sam has been perfecting his skills at moving everywhere. He may look innocent...

but don't let him fool you.

"Hey, what's that?" he says.

"Oh, I must have it. I must have it NOW!!"

"Reverse!"

"BUSTED!"

"Aaannnnddd, I'm up on all fours!"

Here's a short video, sorry about the laundry Libby didn't put away.... :)

You call this a desert?

2010-02-11T02:37:00.005-10:00

This really was a cold day in h.......... :)

The scenery really was quite beautiful though!

Here is the flooded Tigris river.

A chinook backlit by floodlights on a VERY foggy night.

Here you can see some irrigated green fields on the left. And yes, this is indeed a desert. On the right you can see classic desert sand dunes.

To all: I am doing well. I am staying very busy though. I will post more pictures when I can!

Of braids and bellybuttons....otherwise entitled, what we did on our Furlough Friday!

2010-02-08T07:14:00.003-10:00

Maddie has been growing her hair out for awhile now to do Locks of Love again. It was getting pretty long and difficult for her to manage without help, so this past Furlough Friday, we decided it was time to go in for a cut.
The before ~ it was past her waist!

In the chair, waiting.

All braided up and ready for the big cut!

Almost through!

Look at the length of that braid!

Almost done with the haircut...

Maddie's new 'do at the salon...

...and today before school. This is how she likes to wear it.

Our other adventure involved Meredith. Picture self-explanatory.

There are bigger battles than a ring through a belly button.

*sigh*

Eight Months

2010-02-01T09:51:00.006-10:00

Where did eight months go?

How did we get from this...

to this?

Or this?

Or this?

Or this cutie pie?

Or this doll-eating monster?

Oh, lens cap, I love you!

I must eat you! Nom, nom, nom!

I can't believe he's eight months old. Where is the time going? Where?

Saturday night fun

2010-01-31T19:06:00.003-10:00

The kids and I went to go see Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band on Saturday night at Hickam Air Force Base. It was a free concert put on by the U.S.O., and we had a great time. Now, if you know my kids, you know that they love the movie Forrest Gump. We go to eat at Bubba Gumps, and they can answer every trivia question about it. They watch it anytime it comes on t.v., and will frequently ask to watch it on movie nights.

So to actually go and see Lt. DAN was such a thrill for them that they about popped!

Although I about died from trying not to laugh when Ian asked me if Lt. Dan would have legs.

We had a ball, and the band was really very good. They played lots of music that the kids could sing along to, and we all had a great time singing and dancing. Sam had a great time scooting off the blanket every chance he got to get handfuls of grass.....yes folks, he's mobile!!

Potluck?

2010-01-30T15:10:00.004-10:00

So, Ian's baseball team's schedule came out a few weeks ago, and on it was a "potluck" schedule as well. Only one kid was assigned "potluck," and I was a little confused. See, in my head, the definition of "potluck" is that everyone brings something to share. It's also the definition at dictionary.com.

pot·luck (pŏt'lŭk')

A meal at which each guest brings food that is then shared by all. Also called potluck supper.

Imagine my shock and surprise when I was informed that I was supposed to bring all the food (and paper plates and plastic ware) for everyone on my assigned day. Tell me again why we're calling it potluck? Last week, the family showed up with two main dishes, two salads and two desserts!!

Good thing I like to cook. And also a good thing that it's a 1:00 p.m. game and not an 8:00 a.m. game!

I suppose it's also a good thing that we only have to do this once in this season.

Edit: For my menu of Chicken Spaghetti, Baked Mac & Cheese, Pink Salad, Potato Salad & Brownies (and of course, the paper goods to serve it on), I spent $101 at the Commissary to serve 13 baseball players & their families. Ridiculous. I should have had it catered.

Ian's 1st Baseball Game ~ Spring Season '10

2010-01-24T19:07:00.003-10:00

Ian's first baseball game of the season was today, and here are some pictures from it.
Before getting all dirty...

Catching...

First at bat...

On base!!

And pitching!

Beach Day at Bellows

2010-01-21T08:29:00.003-10:00

The kids and I spent an afternoon and evening at Bellows last weekend with the family of one of Meredith's friends. They were camping out there, and graciously invited us to spend some time with them. We had a great time at the beach and grilling out. I was excited to try the new camera out at the beach!!

Maddie playing in the waves, and Libby on her way to boogie board - the waves were pretty good for it that day!

Sam stayed in the shade, but he was thrilled to be outside!

Libby walking in the surf - the water was just gorgeous!

I am WAY TOO YOUNG to have a daughter who looks like this. Seriously.

One of Ian's classmates was there, and they had a great time playing together.

Cutest. Baby. Ever.

Getting ready to roast some marshmallows!

We had a great day!!

Random cuteness

2010-01-16T08:24:00.000-10:00

I'm not sure if the boys could look any more alike....

They even smile at the same things!

Baby's got a brand new.....chair

2010-01-06T12:32:00.003-10:00

We got Sam a high chair, and tried it out for the first time. I think he enjoyed it.

Sam says, "Nom, nom, nom!"

Or would, if he could get the thing in his mouth!!

The boy is serious about his food.

Getting the hang of the sippy.....sometimes!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T14:12:00.006-10:00

Merry Christmas!! I've been neglecting the blog, being frustrated with the way the MacBook was formatting my posts. Here's hoping I've worked out the kinks (aka "user errors") and this posts the way I want it to. ***It did, it did!!!!

We took Sam to see Santa - he wasn't too afraid...

I think he finally realized that he had no idea who was holding him, but he never cried. He's such a good baby!

Kids in their Christmas jammies....

In front of the tree...

Everyone was spoiled by Santa, Mom & Dad, Nana & Papa, and Aunt Becca & Uncle Stew.
Meredith with her new lotion...

Libby with her new iPod....

Maddie with her new camera...

Ian with one of the many new Wii games the kids received...

Sam with his new baby....

Although I think he preferred the paper...

Even Mommy was spoiled by Daddy and Santa alike. This is from Daddy...

And Santa brought Mommy a new DSLR camera (since her camera broke 4 days before Christmas! Can't have Christmas without a camera!)

We had a great Christmas ~ the only thing that would make it better would be to have Al here with us.

You say goodbye, and I say hello....

2009-09-21T23:32:00.003-10:00

....to the Big Suck 09-10.

Yes, folks, it's that time again. Time for another "man-cation" to Iraq for Al. It sucks. That is pretty much it.

Come home soon, Al. We miss you!

Sam Goes to the Beach!

2009-07-28T13:18:00.006-10:00

We took Sam to the beach last Friday.....every Hawaiian Baby needs to have their toes dipped in the water!!

He wasn't exactly sure at first...

But ended up liking the warm water....

But all that water and sun and breeze makes a baby sooooo tired!

Blogging on the new Mac is seriously starting to irritate me. It screws up the layout when it publishes. Lia, HELP!!

Happy Due Date!

2009-07-14T21:31:00.005-10:00

So is Sam now zero, adjusted?

He's definitely chunked out! He weighs 7 lbs, 14 oz - a gain of 2 lbs, 8 oz over his birth weight, and 3 lbs, 3 oz over his lowest weight.

All we know is that he's stinkin' cute, and we can't imagine life without him!

Sam is here!

2009-06-15T10:58:00.002-10:00

Samuel Paul

June 1, 2009 3:19 pm

5 lbs, 6 oz

18 inches

Sam arrived 6 weeks early due to a placental abruption and HELLP syndrome. It was a pretty scary time for all of us, and we're thankful that both Sam and I are doing well. He spent 13 days in the NICU (and I spent 11 days inpatient AFTER his birth due to a blood infection, but that's a post for another day).

He is a wonderful, laid back baby, and we are over the moon to have him!

Why yes, we do make pretty babies!

2009-05-08T08:04:00.002-10:00

Pics from Sam's 3D ultrasound...

This is a TOTAL Maddie face!!

Sacraments: Two down, one to go

2009-05-03T10:03:00.004-10:00

It's been a busy sacramental year in our house, and we're not done yet. Meredith was confirmed, and Ian had his First Communion. Here are some pictures of both events.

Meredith before Mass. She looked absolutely beautiful!

Family pic after Mass...

With the Bishop. Ian wanted to wear his mitre, and Al asked him how he transported his staff. (For those who are curious, it screws together)

Meredith and her sponsor, our neighbor, Kathy.

Ian before First Communion....

And the four kids.

I didn't get as many pictures taken at First Communion. There were SO many people there and it was just too crowded. On that note, photography and videography were specifically not allowed during Mass. It was talked about MANY times in meetings and notes home. The people sitting next to us decided that they were quite above the rules and started videotaping. The sense of entitlement here simply amazes me.

Anyway, next Sacrament will be Baby Sam's baptism. It's pretty impressive that we'll hit each Sacrament of Initiation in the span of about 3 months.

Dear Sam

2009-04-26T15:48:00.000-10:00

Please move your ass out of my ribcage. Your brother and sisters never felt the need to do this, so really, why must you insist on hanging out in the top third of my uterus instead of the bottom two-thirds?

Me breathing is not optional, son. Please move downwards.

Love,
Mama

Easter 2009

2009-04-12T10:03:00.002-10:00

A few pics of the kids this morning, and one of my belly.

I wish I could use Photobucket on this picture and morph myself into one of those women who look like they swallowed a basketball when they are pregnant. I just don't do pregnancy gracefully, I guess. However, looking at the kids above, you can see for yourself that the results are pretty awesome!

Under 100 days...

2009-04-07T11:48:00.004-10:00

Is time going by fast for anyone else? It seems like the first 3 months of this year have just flown by to me. Maybe it's to make up for how slow the month of June will go!

Everyone is fine here at the House of Insanity. Soccer season has started once again for Ian, and with it comes practices and games. By the time the season is over, Sam will almost be here. Al leaves in mid-May for a course at Rucker. We're still not sure who in their infinite wisdom decided that a class that lasted until 2 weeks before my due date was a good idea. I'm more and more nervous about it every day.

Big happenings coming up here are Meredith's Confirmation and Ian's First Communion, both of which happen in the next 3 weeks. I still need to finish Meredith's dress and shop for clothing for Ian. We're glad that Al will at least be home for those two important days.

Other than the normal aches and pains, pregnancy is treating me fine. It was a lot easier when I was 8 years younger. Either that, or I was too busy chasing toddlers to notice! Sam is an active baby who seems to take perverse pleasure in kicking my ribs. He also seems to think that I am invading his space. I'm not exactly sure how to correct that very wrong assumption. We're slowly getting things ready for him. It's amazing how much stuff a tiny baby can add to the house.

Here is a picture of Sam at his first concert - Al and I went to see Jimmy Buffett. We had a great time.

And of course, no Jimmy concert would be complete without some beach toys.....

20 Week Ultrasound

2009-02-20T12:28:00.007-10:00

It's official - we are having a healthy, perfect, beautiful baby boy!

Profile

We're not exactly sure what he's doing here - Al says it looks like he's coming out of a dive. Notice how big his feet are compared to the rest of his leg!

Sam says, "Baby POWER!"

Yes, he's a boy

And he has big feet!

Team Blue

2009-01-31T17:35:00.002-10:00

Sometimes, there just aren't enough tears

2009-01-26T09:01:00.003-10:00

DoD Identifies Army Casualties

The Department of Defense announced today the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. They died from wounds suffered when two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters crashed Jan. 26 in Kirkuk, Iraq. They were assigned to the 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Killed were:

Chief Warrant Officer Philip E. Windorski, Jr., 35, of Bovey, Minn.

Chief Warrant Officer Matthew G. Kelley, 30, of Cameron, Mo.

Chief Warrant Officer Joshua M. Tillery, 31, of Beaverton, Ore.

Chief Warrant Officer Benjamin H. Todd, 29, of Colville, Wash.

Please keep the families of these men in your prayers.

Friday Funny

2009-01-23T13:11:00.002-10:00

A crusty old Army Sergeant Major found himself at a gala event hosted by a local liberal arts college. There was no shortage of extremely young idealistic ladies in attendance, one of whom approached the Sergeant Major for
conversation. "Excuse me, Sergeant Major, but you seem to be a very serious man. Is something bothering you?"
"Negative, ma'am. Just serious by nature." The young lady looked at his awards and decorations and said "It looks like you have seen a
lot of action."
"Yes, ma'am, a lot of action." The young lady, tiring of
trying to start up a conversation, said "You know, you should lighten up a little. Relax and enjoy yourself." The Sergeant Major just stared at her in his serious manner. Finally the young lady said "You know, I hope you don't take this
the wrong way, but when is the last time you had sex?"
"1955 ma'am."
"Well, there you are. No wonder you're so serious. You really need to chill out! I mean, no sex since 1955!" She took his hand and led him to a private room where
she proceeded to "relax" him several times. Afterwards, panting for breath, she leaned against his bare chest and said "Wow, you sure didn't forget much since1955." The Sergeant Major said in his serious voice, after glancing at his
watch "I hope not, it's only 2130 now." (Gotta love military time)

This post is for you, Lia.

2009-01-11T21:54:00.002-10:00

Understandably, I have a lot of time on my hands to fill these days. My friend Lia brought over Starbucks, books and conversation one day last week (I just love her!). One of the books she brought was Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.

If you haven't read it, I truly recommend it. I'm definitely going to have to get my own copy!

Anyway, after reading the book, my evening has been filled by looking up the available CSA's in the area for procuring some locally grown produce (at least 3 here on Oahu!), and investigating the rules for what kind of animals you can have in city limits in the places we'd love for the Army to send us next.

I think we're going to have to get a house on the outskirts of town in order to have chickens and a garden. And maybe a fainting goat or two, which our kids have been asking for since they saw them on some show on TLC about Tanya Tucker.

All Al can do is sigh.

Drama Queen already....

2008-12-31T16:41:00.002-10:00

12 week ultrasound showed a subchorionic hemorrhage and placenta previa. I'll be on bedrest for 6-8 weeks - until I have my next ultrasound. Hopefully, the placenta will have migrated as things grow.

This baby is SO grounded.

Your WTF? Moment of the Day, brought to you by Tripler Army Medical Center

2008-12-18T15:51:00.003-10:00

So, I went in this morning for my 9 week ultrasound. I was assigned to a younger resident today. She starts the ultrasound, prods around for several minutes, saying, "Hmm. Huh. Hmmm," then tells me she's having trouble getting some measurements and she is going to go get a more senior resident.

Doc #2 comes in - LTC type. He watches her try with the u/s, then takes it himself. Same conversation ensues of, "Hmm. Huh. Hmmm." I finally asked him what the deal was, and his reply?

"Well, we can't find your uterus."

Say what? I replied, tongue in cheek, "Well, I didn't drop it at the cleaners - it has to be in there somewhere!" I mean really. No one so far has had any trouble at all finding my uterus. When you've got a probe up your hoo-ha, it stands to reason that it should be pretty easily found....at least in Jen's World.

The LTC disappears to find yet someone else to take a look. Doc #3 finds uterus, baby, heartbeat just fine, and we're all happy. I didn't get a picture this week, because, well, at this point, I'd been being probed for over 30 minutes, and I just wanted to leave.

Anyway, THESE are the people who could potentially deliver this baby, if we were choosing to go to Tripler. We had already decided that barring any complications developing, we would again be having a homebirth, but if we hadn't already made that decision, I think today would have made it for me.

How can you NOT find a uterus?! I mean, really. It's NOT. THAT. HARD.

Except, apparently, for some people - even a board certified OB/GYN - it is.

They blamed it on the fancy equipment in the REI offices, saying that the ultrasound machines that they are used to using are not as high tech. But if you are seeing patients who need that machine, wouldn't it stand to reason that if you are scheduled to use it, you'd be trained to use it?

8w3d

2008-12-16T15:52:00.001-10:00

This is last week's ultrasound....I'm getting weekly ultrasounds until 12 weeks. It still looks like a jellybean with a heartbeat right now.

We think it's pretty cute.

Reason # 4,723...

2008-12-05T20:15:00.003-10:00

...why the next place we go, we're buying a house:

Hearing noises and yelling at your kids to be still and go to sleep - and realizing that they ARE asleep, but the neighbors are running up and down the stairs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T08:33:00.002-10:00

We have much to be thankful for. Family, friends, security in these uncertain times. A new baby on the way. Having Al home for almost two years in a row - almost unheard of these days!

But most of all, I'm thankful that I didn't have to touch the raw turkey this morning!

Enjoy your day, everyone!

One......singular sensation!

2008-11-24T09:19:00.002-10:00

One itty bitty baby with a little flickering heartbeat!

Tomorrow....

2008-11-23T21:45:00.000-10:00

..is ultrasound day! I'll update when I get home!

Thought for the day

2008-11-19T20:05:00.001-10:00

Why is it that the "pregnant man" doesn't get a bunch of stretch marks and pregnancy waddle that *I* get when I'm pregnant?

So. Not. Fair.

Insomnia: Not my friend

2008-11-14T23:58:00.003-10:00

It's midnight here, and I'm still awake. I have no idea why, and I'm SO tired, but can't settle down to sleep.

I wish I had something to sew. Or that I could have a glass of wine. Or that my husband didn't smell like onions (poor Al, paying the price for my Spidey Sense nose).

Let's see, goings on in Malloy Land......Meredith has her first Adoration in about 9 hours. She is required to do two hours of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for Confirmation. She has to do this with her sponsor. She also has a babysitting gig tomorrow evening for one of the guys Al works with and his wife. She really enjoys babysitting and is very, very good at it. She's in demand almost every weekend and has a few regular jobs.

I was able to plead the argument that embryos don't need spurs in order to not participate in the Spouses' Spur Ride tomorrow. I didn't want to do it anyway, but that officially got me out of it. WOOHOO!!

The kids and I went to St. John's McTeachers night this evening. The kids were excited to see some of their school friends, and it was nice to catch up with the sisters. The sisters were thrilled to see the kids, and all of them said how much they missed the kids and commented on how much they have grown. We liked St. Johns, but homeschooling is a better option for us. The drive was killing our budget!

Ridiculously enough, I had to break down and buy some maternity clothes already. I could button things around my waist, but couldn't zip them up. Feels ridiculous to be wearing them, but I'm so much more comfortable. I know that I'll be sick to death of those clothes by the end. At least maternity wear is cuter than it used to be. Back when I was expecting Meredith, it was still all big floppy bows, huge collars and tents.

Al actually works 5 days next week! I know, it's hard for me to believe too. Of course, the next week is another 3 day week due to Thanksgiving. It's nice to have built in time off that doesn't affect his leave. The other thing we figured out this week was that the baby is due during his pre-deployment block leave!! No one at that Squadron can say that I'm not all about the mission! :::insert eye roll here:::

Other than that, we're all pretty boring around here. I like boring, except when I can't sleep.

Self-explanatory

2008-11-11T19:50:00.000-10:00

I forgot how bad this part is.......

And now you know.....

2008-11-07T11:13:00.002-10:00

Election Day!

2008-11-04T11:16:00.005-10:00

I don't care who you vote for, just get out and vote! Remember, if you don't vote, you can't bitch.

Tomorrow, we'll wake up and have made history - regardless of who wins. I think that's pretty amazing.

Halloween, More Sick Kids and a PSA!

2008-10-31T21:01:00.003-10:00

Here are some pics from Halloween....

L to R - Ian the ghost (it did pain me to send him out like this, but he wouldn't let me make him a costume), Libby the Colonial Girl (I did make this one) and Maddie the Gypsy.

Meredith has been throwing up most of the day, and wasn't going to go. At the last minute, she decided that she felt well enough to walk around with Al and the others (must have been the Phenergan kicking in!)

Libby lasted about 3 blocks, and then came back and started throwing up. We are now batting .500 in the Family Flu. Icky germs, go AWAY!

And last, but not least.....a Public Service Announcement.

Please, don't Drink and Carve.

Must have been what the kids have been doing!

Hit with the yuck

2008-10-29T13:34:00.002-10:00

Ian woke up around 3 am, throwing up, and he threw up until 7 am. We thought he was on the mend, after keeping down Gatorade and some saltines all morning.

Apparently, the couch needed to be christened. Poor little man!!!

Now, pray that no one else gets it. I have too much to do!!

Happy Birthday, Libby! And another beach day!

2008-10-10T21:57:00.001-10:00

Libby turned 11 today, so we had cake and homemade mac and cheese, per her request. We will be taking her horseback riding sometime next week for her gift - it's what she wanted! (I'm not too sure that *I* want to go on a 90 minute trail ride, but oh well).

Some pictures.....

Make a wish!

Al also had the day off, so we headed out to Bellows to catch some sun. The kids all boogie boarded, I tried to (and failed), and Al did some snorkeling.

Ian coming in from catching a wave.

Meredith after catching a great one!

The water is so incredibly beautiful over there, and the sand is so fine. Bellows is an awesome beach!!

After we'd been there awhile, the kids got the brilliant idea of burying each other in the sand.

We managed to get all four buried at once.....guess we missed a great opportunity to leave them there, hmmm?

They all ganged up on me - even Al. He'd better sleep with one eye open!

What a loving husband.

Christmas Wishes (Mom, this is for YOU!)

2008-10-02T14:38:00.004-10:00

I've updated the kids' Amazon wish lists with their Christmas requests. Amazon even has this nifty tool where you can add things to your wishlists from other sites. So all of their 'wishes' are on their Amazon.com wish lists.

Only 83 more days until Christmas!

Guitar Hero Boy

2008-09-24T10:49:00.002-10:00

Caught these pics of Ian while he was deep in concentration playing "Guitar Hero:Aerosmith." He LOVES that game, and it's funny to listen to him sing along with songs that were released before I was even a music fan.

I'm surprised he didn't have his tongue out - he usually does!

Beach Day

2008-09-19T19:21:00.000-10:00

Al got an unexpected day off, so we decided that we should take the kids to the beach. We've wanted to teach them to snorkel for quite some time, and figured that this would be a great opportunity.

Since it was a Friday, the lagoons at Ko'Olina were absolutely deserted. It was awesome!

The kids picked up on snorkeling a lot faster than I thought they would - all 4 of them were off and swimming in a matter of a few minutes. It was hysterical to walk beside Ian and hear him try to talk through his snorkel. Every time he saw something, he'd yell, "A fish!"

And what would a blog post about the beach be without pictures?

Beautiful Ko'Olina

Ian all ready to go

Libby and Maddie all ready

Ian and Al snorkeling all over the lagoon

Libby checking out the sea anemones

Meredith snorkeled too

Baby's Got a Brand New Smile!

2008-09-10T13:24:00.003-10:00

Meredith got her braces off today!!! Here is a before shot, taken about two weeks after the braces were put on:

And this was taken today. She is also growing out her bangs.

Wow. She's really CHANGED in a little over two years, hasn't she? Such a beautiful smile for a beautiful girl!!

Iowa Trip, Part I

2008-09-07T09:46:00.002-10:00

Having arrived in Topeka, Kansas, and having woken ourselves up at what is to our bodies, approximately 2:30 a.m. in order to go get a delicious hot breakfast in the lobby (no, it really was good. They had a waffle iron!), we promptly went back to bed. We were totally jet lagged. It was ugly. By the time we pulled our tired butts out of the bed, Dad was almost to the hotel, and we needed to rush to get around.

As we were loading the van and installing the car seats (I had ordered Maddie and Ian new car seats and had them delivered to Mom and Dad's house about a month prior, and Dad had brought them with him) lo and behold, we hear tornado sirens. Welcome to Kansas, y'all.

We went over to the Air Force base to pick up Al. He was attempting to take care of some paperwork for his commander, whose failure to plan had become our emergency. Don't EVEN get me started on how irritated I was by this. It's called LEAVE, and it doesn't really matter that we didn't think we were leaving for a few days. Space A has a flight, we take it. That's how it works.

Deep breath.

We ran to Walmart (a Supercenter!!) for a few things, grabbed a few movies for the kids - because this van had a DVD player!!! The kids were stoked, and they were well entertained for the drive to Iowa. A quick stop at Sonic (which tasted SO good - no Sonics in Hawaii) and we hightailed it out - trying to beat the thunderstorms. It was pretty nice to actually DRIVE somewhere. That is one thing that living on an island the size of Oahu is pretty limited on. You sit in traffic a lot, but no road trips. It has always made us chuckle that they have "interstates" here. No inter-stating to be had, really.

It was pretty late when we got to Burlington, so we unloaded the van so Dad and Al could return it, fed the kids and put them to bed. Then tried to crash ourselves. Wasn't happening - we were still on Hawaii time. I think I finally fell asleep sometime around 3 am.

It was just a relief to know that we would actually be there for the wedding, after worrying about it for so long.

Iowa Trip, Prologue

2008-09-05T18:08:00.003-10:00

So, over the summer, we took a trip to Iowa because my sister decided that she just HAD to get married. Doesn't she know that destination weddings are super cool nowadays, and that Oahu has some very prime spots?

Anyhoo, as you all might have noticed, the prices for airline tickets have increased just a little bit lately. And since the idea of holding a family lottery for who gets to go to the wedding was quickly shot down, we decided that flying "Space Available" was the way to get us to the mainland.

Now, for people who are not familiar with the Space A way of travel, here's how it works: the Air Force flies their big, gray cargo planes in and out of Hickam Air Force Base here in Hawaii all the time. We, as military dependents, can fly on them for free. There is a Category system for priority, as well as a sign up process. If we fly with Al, we are Category 3. If we fly without Al, we are Category 5. Category 3 is good. Category 5 is bad, especially in the summer.

Normally, we wouldn't have had ANY trouble whatsoever getting out as a Category 3 family of 6. But since the airline industry decided to bend all of America over, seems that A LOT of military families had the same idea. The Hickam terminal was PACKED. Flights were crazy. We were starting to wonder if we would get out at all, and Mom was starting to get a little panicked.

The plan was for us to fly to Travis AFB in California, and then take Amtrak from California to Iowa. Then, the floods hit, and Amtrak stopped running in Iowa. We could get to Omaha, and that was it. Add to this that we're still worried that Al is going to be burning a ton of leave just trying to get out, and we're tense.

Al signed out on leave at midnight, June 18th. We went directly to Hickam AFB to get on the waiting list and to see what flights were available for the next 24 hours. We think that we're going to be around for at least a few more days. We get there, and there are no flights to California. The guy at the terminal ask where we are trying to get to - we tell him the midwest. They tell us that there is a flight leaving in the morning for Topeka, Kansas, but we have to be back by 6 am. It's about 12:45 am by this point, and we have nothing packed.

We leave, go home, do laundry and pack all night. We leave the house at 5 am to get to the terminal by 6 - the traffic going into Honolulu is heavy in the morning. We get there, mark ourselves as present for the flight, and wait to see if we make the manifest. Because - get this....

Even after all of this - you STILL might not make the flight with Space A. If there are people who have been signed up longer, are in a higher category, or within your category - of a higher rank - they bump you.

Fortunately, we made the manifest. At this point, I called my dad. He took the day off to come pick us up in Topeka, which we very much appreciated. Topeka is a little short on minivan rentals, y'all.

We boarded the lovely cargo plane, sat down in our jump seats and strapped in. Not the most comfortable, but really, it's free. And our kids - what troopers! They never once complained. In fact, I'm sure Al was ready to drop kick me somewhere over the desert. I kept waking up and asking what time it was. It was never LATER enough for me......

But we arrived, checked into the Comfort Inn, and ate dinner from the vending machine (since all the restaurants had long since closed). Yeah, we're parents of the year.

Part I later....

Oops......forgot this one!

2008-09-05T17:30:00.000-10:00

And this is a good one. Self-explanatory....

There were taken October 12, 2007

15 months is a long, long time.

Family......Complete.

Another year gone

2008-09-04T10:24:00.004-10:00

This weekend, we celebrated Ian and Maddie's birthdays jointly. They agreed that a "together" cake was a good idea, because they both wanted a Costco cake, and they are just too big to have two.

I can't believe that they are 7 & 9 already. Of course, pretty much everywhere we go, we get the whole, "Oh look at the cute twins!"

And more gratuitous cute shots of my children.

They really are too cute for words!!

Happy Birthday, Ian and Maddie! We love you! (And thanks for picking Costco cake - it really was YUMMY!!)

Ian's First Soccer Game (THIS Season, anyway)

2008-08-30T09:53:00.000-10:00

Okay, yeah, yeah - neglecting the blog, blah, blah. I'm posting. So there.

Ian had his first soccer game of the season today. This season, he has moved up a level - to U8. There were a lot of changes - most noticeably, the field is about three times as big. That's a lot of running, y'all. Also, they actually have started playing positions instead of all the players running after the ball and kicking each others' shins. It's not quite as adorable, but it's still kids playing soccer.

Ian has a lot of natural soccer ability. All his coaches have told us this. I, on the other hand, have known this since he was in the womb. I think it's his big feet.

Ian's coach is pretty experienced. He's been doing this for a long time, and has admitted that he is "very competitive." We wondered if this would translate into being upset if the kids lost a game, but since they won, it didn't matter this time. He did get a little anxious when they were tied, but not in a bad way. That's good, because I might go a little mama lion on him if he started yelling at a bunch of 7 and 8 year olds for losing a soccer game. He's VERY nice to the boys, and Ian loves him. He's learned a lot already. This is Ian with Coach Alex before the game, talking "strategy."

Oh, I SO have to laugh about this picture.....I've been teasing Al since the Parent's Meeting that he should just volunteer and be the Assistant Coach. He wouldn't do it. But guess who was on the sidelines at the game, being called "Coach Alan?"

That's him in the navy shirt. Coach Alex even called him this week to talk about this weekend's game.

Coach Alan. I LOVE IT!!

Playing Catch Up

2008-06-07T10:31:00.003-10:00

I've been informed that I've been sorely neglecting my blog. I know this.

With 4 kids in school and a husband who seems to think he gets to command my spare time (what's his PROBLEM?) I've let the blog slip to the bottom of the priority list....like even below ironing or catching up the scrapbooks.

I have approximately 6 months to catch you all up on. I'll get to work on it soon.....promise!

October, October.......

2007-10-01T00:47:00.000-10:00

It's FINALLY October!!!!

Why am I so excited that it's October?

Because October is when Al will be HOME!!!

Bittersweet

2007-09-30T22:30:00.001-10:00

Ian lost his first tooth today. He was so excited to be getting a visit from the Tooth Fairy, but I will freely admit that after I put the expected $2 under his pillow and taking the tooth, I sat on the couch and cried. He's the last one.....and every "first" that he experiences, I realize that it is my LAST "first."

Sometimes, I wish time had a tail on it, so we could grab on and slow it down.

Birthday Fun with Ian and Maddie

2007-09-09T10:35:00.001-10:00

A few pictures from Ian and Maddie's birthday celebrations. As stated previously, the kids decided that they would wait until Al is home for REAL birthday parties....wait, was that a plot to get TWO birthday cakes?!?!

This is my sorry excuse for a free-handed soccer ball...note to self: ALWAYS make a template FIRST!!

But, I guess Ian liked it okay.

Make a wish!!!

Maddie's turn.....she didn't want cake, she wanted cupcakes.

She's so cute!!

Make a wish, Maddie!

Happy Birthday, Maddie Boo!!

2007-09-03T10:58:00.001-10:00

Can't believe our little bitty baby is EIGHT! She is such a good girl.....smart and beautiful.

Happy Birthday, Maddie. I love you!!

Happy Birthday, Dear Ian Boy

2007-08-29T23:01:00.002-10:00

Happy Birthday to you!

Can't believe that he is SIX! Where does the time fly away to?

The kids and I decided that since Al is gone, and this is the second year in a row for him to miss at least Ian, Maddie and Libby's birthdays, that we would have cake and ice cream (Friday for Ian, Monday for Maddie) at/around the actual birthdays, but that we would wait for presents until Daddy is home to celebrate too.

Now, who can resist that little man?

Not I. Love you, Ian!!
*tried to post this last night, but stupid Blogger.....

First Day of School, First Day of School!!!

2007-08-10T20:48:00.001-10:00

Thursday was the kiddos' first day of school. Everyone (including Mom!!) was very excited about starting the year at St. John the Baptist.

Ian started kindergarten....he was very excited about having his friends Jacob and Noah in his class. Sister Ermelinda is his teacher (but the kids call her Sister Ermie).

Madeline started third grade this year. She misses her teacher from last year, Mrs. Domondon, but has already learned to love Sister Vivianna. Libby had her last year and loved her too. She's been a third grade teacher for 40 years!

Elisabeth is in fourth grade. She was thrilled to be able to see her BFF Lucy everyday! We also carpool with Lucy's family, which makes things easier on ALL of us! Her teacher this year is Sister Emilie.

It's hard to believe that Meredith is in seventh grade this year. I'm not sure where the little baby I brought home (yesterday, wasn't it?) went.....but she is growing up to be a lovely young lady. She was a bit disappointed that her teacher from last year, Sister Daisy, didn't move up with the class like she had said she was planning on, but she really likes her teacher, Miss Cathy. Miss Cathy is a new teacher this year. She just finished her Master's degree and came to St. Johns to teach.

The kids all have grown a great deal lately. Meredith is taller than me now, and wears a size 9 shoe. Elisabeth is starting to shoot up too.....I think she'll be taller than me soon too. Madeline is still a bitty baby, but her feet have finally grown......they are still small, but at least her shoe size is in the double digits! And of course, Ian has grown almost 2 inches and has enormous feet. He has bigger feet than Maddie!!

They all seem like they are off to a good start, and I will be getting some much needed and much deserved ALONE TIME. I have plenty to keep me busy, getting the house ready for Al to come home (whenever that happens!) and weight to lose for Becca's wedding next summer.

Friday Funny

2007-08-03T14:50:00.001-10:00

Yes, this is MY life to a tee.....freaking hysterical!!!

Make sure you turn your volume up!

Random Pictures

2007-08-02T14:38:00.000-10:00

For your viewing pleasure.....

Mike, the sugar daddy.....this was taken at my friend Lia's birthday dinner at Ruth's Chris.

I did some redecorating....the living room got a new floor and a new floor plan.

This is our new fish, Spot. He is a koi fish.....the kids rescued him a few weeks ago when they saw him flopping around in the grass. We suspect that a feral cat dragged him out of a decorative pond. He seems happy in his fish tank....

Ian found this statue of Ronald and insisted that he have his picture taken.

Al sent me this picture from the sandbox.

We went on the Atlantis Submarine tour....this picture was taken on the pier while we waited.

Next week, there will be back to school pictures....6 days and a wakeup!

Kids. Are. Expensive.

2007-07-30T12:15:00.001-10:00

So, we have 10 days(!) until school starts, and the shopping has been on going. Along with shopping, comes the spendage of money. I don't like that part so much.

Four kids, 8 new pairs of shoes, 3 days worth of regular uniforms. one gym uniform, one Mass shirt (WTH? WHY do we need a special shirt for Mass days held once a month?), socks (yes, they have certain socks they have to wear at St. John the Baptist Catholic School......it's like that for all the Catholic schools in the area though), some matching scrunchies that just appeared on the counter at the uniform shop, school supplies, hair cuts, first two months tuition.....

All that equals me feeling like I am a constant ATM machine. Or something.

I know that once school starts, it will slow down....but damn.

What's Next? Or, Life With A 5 Year Old Boy....

2007-07-15T17:17:00.001-10:00

Two incidents recently, both involving the boy.....

The Rules Regarding Riding Bikes and Scooters:
1. You must wear a helmet.
2. You must wear shoes. Not sandals. Closed-toed shoes. Crocs are okay.

So, we're over at my friend Jenn's house a few weeks ago for a barbecue. The kids are happily playing with her daughter and my friend Lia's kids in the yard - running around, riding scooters, running through the sprinklers. Having a good time on a summer evening while the adults chatted on the patio.

Jenn's husband, Mike walked over to check on a clump o'children, and he had been there for a few minutes, so Lia, Jenn and I stood up to investigate....and I decided to walk over and check it out. It stood to reason that since I own over 50% of the children in the group that the child/children involved probably belonged to me.

I get over there and realized that Ian is sitting on the sidewalk crying, his bare foot stuck somehow in a scooter. Now, it's twilight, and we're away from the lights on the sidewalk, so I can't quite see what it is stuck on. I tried to move it, and he screamed. Great. Mike and I decide to carry the boy back to Mike and Jenn's house so we have better light to see what is going on, so Mike carries Ian and I carry the scooter - walking backwards - and off we go.

(Lia and Jenn are watching from the patio, sure that I had remedied the situation by now, and give out a collective, "Oh SHIT!" when they see us carrying the boy and the scooter)

We get Ian inside, and assess the situation. This is what we see:

Lia took the above picture with her phone. Meredith wouldn't let her take any other pictures with my camera....which I was perturbed about. Such incidents need documentation. Remember, they aren't just memories, they're EVIDENCE.

We covered the toe/scooter with dishwashing liquid and tried to maneuver it out. Ian screamed. No such luck. This was going to take some tools, so Mike got his took box out and tried to find a tool to take the bolt holding the wheel on the scooter. He needed a hex wrench, which he didn't have.

What we ended up doing is using a pair of pliers to slightly enlarge the space between the wheel and the piece of metal that covers the wheel (this is the space where the toe was caught) and pulled the toe out. It worked, without too much screaming, even.

Then Ian got a lecture which consisted of, "Now do you understand why Mom makes the rules about wearing shoes when you ride bikes/scooters?"

Incident #2 happened this week between the boy and Maddie....apparently, Ian wanted Maddie to play with him outside, and Maddie didn't want to. Ian proceeded to tattle on Maddie for something she did LAST WEEK because he was pissed off. I sent them both to their rooms - Maddie for disobeying (despite the length of time that had passed, she still knows better - and Ian for tattling). This was SUPPOSED to stop the bickering. Oh, how wrong I was.

The fighting continued after they went upstairs....I had gone into my room to put away laundry, and couldn't hear them. As I came out, I could hear Maddie crying, and I called up the stairs, "Maddie, stop whining!"

Meredith called back, "Mom, she has a reason to this time."

Uh-oh.

Meredith brings Maddie down. Blood all over her face.

GREAT.

Apparently, what happened is that Maddie, in the process of the argument, had yelled at Ian that she hated soccer. Ian had felt justified in throwing his soccer trophy at Maddie for this heresy.

It hit her in the face.

A little super glue and some steri-strips, and she is good as new. Ian lost his soccer trophy and all privileges for an as yet undetermined period of time. He did not get a spanking, for his own safety.

I'm hoping that this week is better.

More Deployment Gnome Fun

2007-07-10T00:52:00.001-10:00

I *really* hate the little punks called deployment gnomes. So far, I've been pretty fortunate that I haven't had many run ins with the little bastards....a few, but nothing I can't handle. They struck again tonight.

I've gotten into the habit lately of running a few loads of laundry late at night. I've been suffering from a bit of insomnia, and laundry keeps me from online retail therapy. Tonight was no different, especially since that small person who lives in my house named *Not Me* let the dog upstairs unsupervised. She promptly decided to pee on Ian's bed.....BAD DOG.

So, I went into the laundry room to put the last load of bedding in the washer, and transfer the washer into the dryer. When I picked up the stuff off the floor, I noticed it was pretty wet for just being peed on, so I gave it a closer look....there was water coming out from under the washer!! My fairly new washer at that. Hmpf.

So, I shoved the washer out of the way, and looked behind it.....yep, water behind the washer too. What the hell? Now, my washer is a front loader, and it sits on pedestals. I pulled the pedestal drawer out. No water, so I didn't think that it was coming from the washer. This warranted some more shoving of the big ass washer so I could more closely inspect the wall faucets for leaks. They didn't appear to be leaking, but the wallboard beneath it seemed damp. Damn it. I was really hoping that I wouldn't have to call housing.....knowing that they take their own sweet time about fixing things. If I don't do laundry on a daily basis, I'm screwed.

Knowing that I would have to call housing, and knowing that the bedding had to be washed anyway, I decided to clean up the water and start the washer, to see if the washer was leaking or not. It was then that I noticed that the drain hose was sitting sort of half in, half out of the drain. Nice....

So I shoved that thing in as far as I could, cleaned up the mess, and shoved everything back into place. 45 minutes later, the floor underneath my washer and dryer is clean, I *think* everything is fixed, and I'm back in bed. Hopefully, I can go to sleep.

Jenifer: at least 10, Asshat Deployment Gnomes: 0*

*Subject to update if there is water on the floor in the morning.

Not sure where THIS came from....

2007-07-08T19:34:00.001-10:00

I found Ian like this last night.....yes, he did put himself in there. The funny thing is, when I saw Ian, Lily was laying down in front of the kennel, snoring....but had gotten up in the time it took me to get the camera.

Silly kid!!

Maddie's First Communion....really

2007-06-14T21:24:00.001-10:00

So, here are some pictures from the actual ceremony....it is so bittersweet, watching the kids experience milestones like this. For me, this one is especially bittersweet.....for this was my last "fun" 1st Communion. No more frilly dresses to find, the veil goes back in my hope chest for my someday granddaughters. I admit that I cried through a lot of the ceremony....I think that Maddie and her friend Kenna were the most beautiful little girls there.

My four beautiful babies....where did the time go?

Madeline's dress was BEAUTIFUL!!

Another cute one of the four kiddos.

A big smile!!

The Procession

It was a good day.
Our Family....together again.

Maddie's First Communion.....the back story!

2007-06-14T20:56:00.001-10:00

Yeah, I know. I'm hopelessly behind on blogging. It's been a rough spring...

By request, I am putting up some new pictures. It seems that people are getting tired of the 70's Porn Star Al pics that are the top post. Can't imagine why!!!

Madeline's 1st Communion was on May 6th. For the whole deployment, Al has been requesting his R&R to be for the last week of April and first week of May so he could be home for this most important day. After his emergency leave in January for Ian's hospitalization, he wasn't sure what the Squadron's policy on R&R would be. It turned out that the policy was in his favor, so he turned in the request. Denied. Appealed. Approved. Cancelled. Reapproved, but the date was for May 4th. MAY 4th?!?!?! Two days before 1st Communion?!?!?! An event that they had been promising him he'd be home for? You've GOT to be kidding me, right?

Apparently not. He got to Kuwait, got his itinerary and it had him arriving here a few hours after the ceremony. I spent a few hours on hold with Delta, and was able to secure him one of the last seats on the flight that would get him here in time, but that would only leave him an hour and a half layover in Atlanta.

Now, what I didn't know was that they were late leaving Kuwait. They made up time on the way, and arrived on time in Atlanta. He made the flight with time to spare.

I hadn't told the kids ANYTHING about him coming home. In fact, Madeline had been sad because "all she wanted was her Daddy to be here for her 1st Communion." It was SO hard to keep the secret, but I didn't want to disappoint them if something happened to cancel his trip home. Again, you know....because it had been such a push-pull thing with the Army already to get the freaking R&R.

The kids and I were getting all ready for the ceremony, and we were ready with time to spare. The original plan was for Al to take a cab from the airport to the church, but his flight was running early and so were we. So I got a little sneaky....called my cell phone from the home phone, pretended I was having a conversation, and told the kids we were picking up my friend Lia from her trip. I told them we would have to tell the airport people that we were picking up Al so we could get to the gate. They fell for it hook, line and sinker.

We hurried to the gate, and the plane was already debarking. I saw Al - he was waiting for another soldier who was traveling with him. I told the kids, "Look, there's Miss Lia - look, there's Lia - LOOK!! There's LIA!!" as we walked closer and closer. They were withing two feet of Alan and still hadn't seen him. I finally said, "Look you guys, it's Daddy!!"

He was very surprised to see us too....as he still thought he was taking a cab. I didn't get many pictures of the airport, but here are the two I did get.

My friend Sherri says this next one is the "money shot." I'm sure that there will be some sort of "send in your sappiest reunion photo" contest that I can enter this in someday....

Time for a little blackmail.....*

2007-04-30T14:24:00.002-10:00

What do you do when your husband sends you pictures of himself with a mustache?

Post them on your blog, of course!!

Apparently, SOMEONE over there thought that it would be a good idea to have a mustache growing contest during the month of April, so these pictures are a month's worth of unshaven-ness. YIKES.

I have asked him to please refrain from growing facial hair ever again. He has agreed.

*sorry, Al....it had to be done!! Couldn't resist, didn't really try.

Lots to Update, So Little Time

2007-04-12T18:54:00.001-10:00

But it is official........of course, if you freaking watch the news, you knew it before me OR my husband did. I was on a plane flying back from the mainland, and he is still in that sandy place, under a command that can't even manage to tell the m-f'ing truth to their soldiers. I found out via a voice mail - the first thing I heard when I turned on my cell phone, and he heard it from me. Thanks a lot, whoever leaked it to the media, and REALLY, thanks a lot to the command group. You really dropped the proverbial ball this time, assholes.

Yeah, I'm telling you how I REALLY feel.

He MIGHT be home in time for Thanksgiving. I'm not holding my breath.

So done with the Army right now. SO DONE.

Commentary on Dancing With the Stars

2007-03-20T09:02:00.001-10:00

So, I tuned in to watch the season premiere last night. It would have been much funnier if Heather Mills had been forced to do her dance number as a hip hop to Kanye West's Gold Digger.

She may have even seen that leg go flying.......

She needs to go - so does Leeza Gibbons. Word to the wise, Leeza. Too much plastic surgery, and your smiles look fake!

It will be interesting to see next week who sticks around and who doesn't! (Ian Zierling....drooooool)

Ode to Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

2007-03-16T11:12:00.001-10:00

Oh, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers
How I love thee!
You removeth even the nastiest filth
From any surface
With minimal scrubbing.
Even the yucky red Hawaii mud
From white bathroom marble-y tops.
It must have been a man who choseth those
For no mother would have ever deigned to have
Pure white sinks in any bathroom.
But you, O Magic Eraser
With the slightest touch
Get those stupid sinks sparkly
Even when I neglect them
And only swipe at them with a mere anti-bacterial wipe.

Donut, dunked

2007-03-12T21:06:00.001-10:00

Like in the toilet. Not in yummy coffee or chocolate milk. In the yucky nastiness of hopes dashed.

I went to an FRG meeting tonight, allegedly to talk about re-deployment. Instead, we talked about the now very likely possibility of extensions. And looked at pictures of Iraq. And a stupid yearbook ~ is this high school?

I don't even know what to say about this.

Ever the optimist (yeah, right!), I have found the silver lining. Once the unit hits 366 days deployed, there's an extra $1000 a month in pay.

It will help with the therapy bills.

Donut Update

2007-03-04T16:21:00.001-10:00

I have this program on the computer....it's called the Donut of Misery. Basically, it's an Excel program that counts down the deployment. Now, we have no idea if it's completely accurate or not, but it's a rough estimate.

Here's what the donut of misery looks like today.

As it says, are we excited yet? Well, not exactly....but we're getting closer! It's a heck of a lot better than when it said 2% done!!

Bandit Boy!!

2007-03-04T09:37:00.001-10:00

Ian came to me this morning wearing this and said, "Mom, I'm a thief!" He is making his "mean face" in this picture to show how tough of a thief he is, apparently.

He just makes me laugh!!!

Maddie's First Reconciliation

2007-03-02T15:19:00.001-10:00

Maddie had her First Reconciliation last night. She did a great job. Unlike her sister Meredith, she did not cry. Unlike her sister Elisabeth, she did not feel the need to confess every sin she's ever committed since toddlerhood and take 30 minutes. Unlike BOTH of her older sisters, she knew her Act of Contrition without using a Holy card as a cheat sheet.

Wonder if that whole no-CCD, only homeschooling for religion thing has anything to do with it? I'd like to think it does.

A few pictures, of course!
Maddie waiting her turn at the front of the church...

Talking with Father.....she looks SO little!

After Reconciliation, in front of the Shrine to the Blessed Virgin...

A close up! If you look closely, you can see that she lost another tooth on the bottom just the night before....

Now for a funny story....Maddie came to me on Tuesday and said, "Mom, last year, Libby got a WHOLE NEW OUTFIT from Gymboree just for First Reconciliation. It's tradition." (Except that she said "tradithon" because she still has her lisp.." So on Wednesday, Maddie, Ian and I went to the mall shopping for the PERFECT outfit.

I think I'm raising a diva.

I am NOT exaggerating when I say that we went to the following stores in this order: Gymboree, The Children's Place, Gap Kids, Cinnamon Girl, Gymboree (again), Macy's, Gymboree (again!), The Cookie Corner (so we could get a cookie to *think it over*) and finally, back to Gymboree, where Maddie tried on the outfit I had suggested the first time we were there and agreed that yes, in fact it was a good outfit for First Reconciliation.

Good thing Ian is all about riding the escalators up and down. And that Gymboree has a TV in the back of the store. He was fine with the whole shopping experience. I needed a nap when I got home!

I shudder to think about what she'll be like when she's 14. Maybe Duggar-izing the children isn't such a bad idea afterall......(putting them in dresses only ala that family in Arkansas with 16...soon to be 17 kids.)

*sigh*

The Obligatory Wall

2007-02-27T18:34:00.001-10:00

I think almost every military wife has one.......the obligatory wall of Americana. We happen to have one that is Army Helicopter themed. I don't even have everything up on it that I own - the wall is far too narrow for it, but I got something new in the mail for it today (thanks, Pam!!!) and I did a little rearranging, took a picture, and decided that the blog needed some color.

And here is the new addition to my wall. I've been wanting one of these for ages, but haven't been able to find them since we left Ft. Campbell. A member of one of the aviation spouse boards I am a member of, Pam, posted that there was a lady at Ft. Rucker selling these signs, so I sent her a message, asking her if she would be willing to pick one up for me and send it. She was, and I am so thankful to her. It arrived today, and I just love it. It is missing a helicopter - the lady was out of the OH-58D that Al flies now, but she is coming back to Ft. Rucker in April and will bring one for me then, and Pam is picking it up. We just had to have the Chinook on there too....our aviation history wouldn't be complete without it!

Pam and her family will be moving to Hawaii this fall and I just can't wait to meet her. It's wonderful how the simple bond of being a military wife can make you friends all over the world. Thank you, Pam!!

Note to self...

2007-02-24T10:25:00.001-10:00

Although it was great fun to track Al's flights TO Hawaii from Kuwait on his way here for Emergency leave, it is not fun to track them from Hawaii to Kuwait. Every refresh of the page takes him farther away.

I apologize for not updating in so long. There's been plenty of things going on here with the Malloy Clan. As you can see, Al was home for Emergency leave for 4 weeks. Ian was hospitalized with what appeared to be seizures, although the *good doctors* at Tripler can't seem to make up their mind, nor do they seem to want to delve further. We now have a doctor in Iowa looking over his records, seeing if there is something that the Army docs might have *gasp* missed.

That wouldn't be possible, would it?

Forgive my sarcasm, as this whole experience has been.....indescribable from the very beginning. There will be letters written, and complaints made. Yet in all of this I must keep in mind that even though I feel my son received sub-standard care, at least he wasn't housed with rats and mold, as some of the wounded are forced to live in at Walter Reed.

Don't even get me started there.

Through all of this, Ian has returned to his normal turd of a self. For awhile, we saw problems with his short term memory, but then I decided that a) he's a 5 year old boy and b) his father is in serious need of a supplement called Senior Moment. Al has THE WORST short term memory ever. And I also have to wonder if all this focusing on his brain and neurological status was getting to be a bit too much.

So, we remain, ever vigilant with our trusty video camera, poised to catch the next whatever it is.

(For those of you who don't know the whole story, this neurologist at Tripler wants me to catch the next "episode" on video. Yeah, I'll get right on that, doc. I'll sit back and video tape while my son has a seizure and I hyperventilate.)

I'll try to be better about updating. Really. I promise.

Happy Anniversary!

2007-01-07T06:31:00.001-10:00

Just hearing her voice makes my
heart skip a beat, her
wonderful smile I see.
In wishes and dreams,
in life, in each
and every thought, she's in
my memory.
In a glance she
knows my thoughts.
Without words she can read
what's on my mind.
Her hand calms
even my deepest fears.
More beautiful is she than the
rose in the garden.
Love overwhelms me when she
glides into the room.
This tenth anniversary I
long for her continually.
Although we might be miles apart
thoughts of her bring a song to my heart.
In love I cherish her always.

Jenifer in order for you to know that this was written just for you, I hid something very special to me in the lines. To see it, read the first letter of the first line, the second letter of the second line, the third letter of the third line, etc....all the way through to the twenty-second letter of the twenty-second line. (Those letters should be slightly darker as well.) I Love You! Happy Anniversary!

What ARE the odds?

2007-01-06T23:01:00.000-10:00

So, I'm a doula.....a professional labor support - type. Basically, this means that I go with women who are giving birth and help them achieve the kind of birth they want, provide support, comfort measures - and then I have the extreme honor and privilege of being present when a new life comes into the world. It's a great thing to do.

For January, I had two ladies - one due on the 1st, one due on the 28th. No conflict there, right?

So, what are the odds that they would BOTH deliver within 3 hours?

Obviously for me, 100% - it was a fun night at Tripler last night, and seeing two beautiful baby girls take their first breaths just puts all of life into perspective.

Welcome to the world, babies!

The Last Post of the Year

2006-12-31T18:50:00.000-10:00

It's almost 2007....can't believe that 2006 is almost over and done.

In my spare time, (Ha! What spare time, you ask!) I have a few other blogs that I read. I'd like to talk about one of them now, if I may. A Storm in Afghanistan was a link I followed a few months back from my friend Lia's blog,(I think!) and I became hooked, frequently checking in on my new "cyber friend" Reid and his family, who were struggling first with his deployment to Afghanistan, and then with his young wife, Ellicia's battle with breast cancer.

Blogging opens an interesting door - you "meet" people you've never actually met before, and may never meet, but you form connections of sort. Not like you're going to make arrangements to hook up or anything (although I'm sure some people may) but when people are having hard times, you care. When Reid and his family needed to come back to the States from Germany because Ellicia needed better care, but were going to take a huge cut in pay due to COLA, there was a fundraising drive. I happily donated to them. That's what you do - military families take care of their own. I never would have known about this family and their need, other than through the "blog-o-sphere."

Ellicia lost her battle with cancer today, leaving behind 3 young children and a devastated husband. I feel honored to have gotten to "know" her and to have helped her family in some small way.

Not what I expected in a desert!

2006-12-28T10:53:00.001-10:00

This scene is from 10:30 in the morning on the 28th of December.
My roomate Vince (pictured below) woke me up to tell me to come outside.
It snowed for about five hours, but did not really stick.
It is now 12:30 at night and the temperature is 29 degrees, the rain from yesterday and the melted snow from today are now freezing and things are probably going to be pretty slick by morning. Thank goodness the heat in our CHU works well!

This is another one of our pilots Bill Kearns. What you can not see in the pictures is that we were all wearing flip-flop shower shoes! Needless to say, we did not stay out for very long!

The snow only accumulated in a few places, but there was enough for my roomate and I to each throw a snowball at eachother!

I've lost count...

2006-12-23T10:44:00.001-10:00

...of the number of days I've been sick. If my ear doesn't 'pop' soon, I might be forced to do some DIY ear surgery. This is still the part I hate the most about the kids being in school, followed closely by writing the tuition check every month.

And I still have to go to the commissary. Blech.

Sinus infections SUCK.

Another Year Gone

2006-12-13T19:57:00.001-10:00

Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to me,
Happy Birthday to ME
Happy Birthday to me!

I suppose it's better than the alternative, eh?

Al, I'm keeping track of all the birthdays you've skipped the gift on, and one of these days, I'm calling them ALL in for a REALLY NICE PRESENT in a REALLY SMALL PACKAGE!!!

Thank you to all of my wonderful friends and family who made my day very special, especially to Lia for the beautiful flowers. You made my day!!

The Malloy Clan

Back to school

St. Patrick's Day - Savannah Style

Sewing fun

I told you so!

Yeah, I know....

New Blog is up!

We. Miss. Hawaii.

Sam *hearts* lasagna

Today's tears brought to you by.....Gymboree

Happy Easter from my Peeps!

Learning to dance on a shifted carpet

Sam pulls up and other random Sam cuteness

A spaghetti face and a jailbird

Someone might be jealous....

"Because he loves his duck!"

Libby's first concert

The one with all the beach pictures

First time for everything, I guess...

Wednesday afternoon at the beach

Sideline antics

Sam on the move!

You call this a desert?

Of braids and bellybuttons....otherwise entitled, what we did on our Furlough Friday!

Eight Months

Saturday night fun

Potluck?

Ian's 1st Baseball Game ~ Spring Season '10

Beach Day at Bellows

Random cuteness

Baby's got a brand new.....chair

Merry Christmas!

You say goodbye, and I say hello....

Sam Goes to the Beach!

Happy Due Date!

Sam is here!

Why yes, we do make pretty babies!

Sacraments: Two down, one to go

Dear Sam

Easter 2009

Under 100 days...

20 Week Ultrasound

Team Blue

Sometimes, there just aren't enough tears

Friday Funny

This post is for you, Lia.

Drama Queen already....

Your WTF? Moment of the Day, brought to you by Tripler Army Medical Center

8w3d

Reason # 4,723...

Happy Thanksgiving!

One......singular sensation!

Tomorrow....

Thought for the day

Insomnia: Not my friend

Self-explanatory

And now you know.....

Election Day!

Halloween, More Sick Kids and a PSA!

Hit with the yuck

Happy Birthday, Libby! And another beach day!

Christmas Wishes (Mom, this is for YOU!)

Guitar Hero Boy

Beach Day

Baby's Got a Brand New Smile!

Iowa Trip, Part I

Iowa Trip, Prologue

Oops......forgot this one!

Another year gone

Ian's First Soccer Game (THIS Season, anyway)

Playing Catch Up

October, October.......

Bittersweet

Birthday Fun with Ian and Maddie

Happy Birthday, Maddie Boo!!

Happy Birthday, Dear Ian Boy

First Day of School, First Day of School!!!

Friday Funny

Random Pictures

Kids. Are. Expensive.

Sam hearts lasagna