happy Wednesday, everyone

Next he's going to want a tattoo. I'm not even ready for this.

from Jim, with love

There are two things that make any deployment go faster for a soldier overseas. Facetime with the fam, and goodies in the mail.

Skype has made this deployment different and better than I ever expected. Words can't express my love for the inventors of free little internet electrons that shoot through the air between Iraq and America. I could kiss them. The inventors, not the electrons. Whom are from either Estonia or Sweden. Wikipedia can be so unclear.

But Eli doesn't care about any of that. He will spend his first year thinking his dad lives in a box. But at least that box has a face and smile. Not like that archaic and impersonal thing we used to know called a telephone.

As for the care packages, my husband has been the grateful recipient of many. Thanks to you who have gone out of your way to bake, tape and drive your way to the post office. Some with multiple kids in tow. You can't know what your selflessness does for the moral of a soldier overseas.

Jim would like to thank you in his own words for being the envy of the FOB Warrior post office. And offer advice for anyone wondering what they should jam into those handy Flat Rate boxes.

(Keeping in mind that only my husband can simultaneously thank people for sending him mail while asking for more.)

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Top 10 Care Package Contents
2009-2010 OIF Deployment

First and foremost, all deployed Soldiers LOVE care packages. On behalf of every Soldier that has been too busy or forgetful to ever send a “Thank you” note. . . Thank You. You could send a box of rocks and Soldiers would be happy to get a package in the mail; so if items from your care package did not make the Top 10 List, don’t think they weren’t appreciated. All of your mail have been and will be the brightest part of our day. Some additional notes: *Notice “2009-2010 OIF Deployment” in the title; often folks send the same items they send during Desert Storm. Truly, there are some classics (see #9 baby wipes and # 10 fresh baked anything) but Care Packages trends change from deployment to deployment. And of course this is all subjective. But what follows is my Soldiers' and my Top Ten List. So without further ado. . .

• 10. Fresh Baked Anything – Yummy and it reminds us of home. (Taste vary on this one; but G. Nittle has kept me well supplied in TASTY “friendship bread” during both my deployments)

• 9. Baby wipes and hand sanitizer – Iraq is a dirty country; that’s why we are here to clean it up. We have to get our “hands dirty” from time to time.

• 8. Hygiene and pamper items – I have not yet figured out how to use the “bubble bath” someone sent me, but all the bath and body works shampoos, conditioners, and body washes are GREAT! Bonus if they are travel size.

• 7. BULK (Anything enough to share with the entire unit or half of Iraq) – JEB Little Creek Chapel sent over 50 stockings for my Soldiers for Christmas. (Because of the busy-ness of having just arrived in country, we were unable to get a great “stocking group picture.”) Churches from Clarksville have also sent some MASSIVE care packages our way. The exciting thing is after all the Soldiers go through the boxes, our advise and assist unit gives the rest to our Iraqi Army partners, who are a close second for gratitude when it come to accepting your generous gifts.

• 6. DVDs – Anything new and exciting to watch.

• 5. Mix CDs – What’s new? What’s hot? (We have no idea, so I have always appreciated mixed CDs from any genre)

• 4. Anything organic or healthy (that can be mailed overseas) – There are no Trader Joes in Iraq. (frown)

• 3. Junk food – Yeah, we miss our favorite candy, chips, and jerky. Just don’t send these in BULK.

• 2. Pillows, sheets, and blankets – This one is a unique request, but one that effects almost half of our time in Iraq. Soldiers usually don’t have room to take nice pillows and sheets to Iraq, but when B. Robinson and the gang from Dominion Power sent pillows and a twin sheet set . . . JACKPOT! And the good news story is that I plan on giving the pillows and sheets to an Iraqi family before we leave.

AND THE NUMBER ONE CARE PACKAGE CONTENT . . . (drum roll) . . .

• 1. Pictures or videos from home – We miss you all very much! And if we have an office, we tend to litter the walls with pictures of people we love.

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And for a bonus feature, I will include:
MY personal Top 10 Care Package Requests
2009-2010 OIF Deployment.

• 10. Fresh Baked Anything = currency with local nationals here. (One of the famous artists here is going to paint a portrait of Karen because I shared cookies with him)

• 9. Anything organic or healthy (that can be mailed overseas) – There are no Trader Joes in Iraq. Gonna run out of my flavored organic oatmeal soon. (frown)

• 8. Cigars – I know many of you are surprised that this didn’t rank higher, but I’m pretty much stocked up on “Vitamin C.” I always love getting cigars though; it encourages me to share. (My favorite right now is the Gurkha Platinum & Grand Reserve and the Acid Roams.
  

• 7. U.S. Savings Bonds or Gold Bars – This would truly help send Eli to college. What is the tuition at Grove City these day?

• 6. TV series on DVD – I don’t have time to watch movies, so this is a nice compromise.

• 5. Mix CDs – (I need to stock the iPOD with some awesome workout music . . . any suggestions? PS Thanks to the Whaleys I have some serious Amazon bucks.)

• 4. Frocs – Yes the inexpensive “fake crocs.” Any cheap knock off of a genuine creature comfort is great. I won’t feel bad giving it to an Iraqi before I leave. “I’m a size 9, just like everyone else here.” – I can’t recall the name of the Soldier in Band of Brothers.

• 3. Rubber duckies and nice, big, fluffy towels – “You make bath time so much fun. . .”

• 2. Crazy random stuff from Party City, Dollar Store, or Spencers – Makes for great goofy pictures! (Warning: Spencers stores are not for the faint of heart.)

• 1. Small fishing lures – Yep, I plan on some serious fishing with Brandon when I get back. One small fishing lure a month will keep me motivated and focused on the finish line.

the east has been good to us

Eli and I have been back east for 63 days and it's been a whirlwind. We've seen friends and family galore. And now we've seen snow. Lots of it. And like any good mother, I made sure to take the obligatory kid-who-can-barely-move-inside-his-snow-suit pictures. We couldn't get any smiles out of him, but I assure you the giggles returned once he thawed inside.

If I was still in Texas and had missed all this winter wonderland fun, I would have cried. Because I. Love. Weather. For the 29 hours that it took us to get our 24 inches, I was a constant on weather.com. I love me some satellite trackers. The whole thing brought back high school memories, bugging the neighbor next door who just happen to be the superintendent of the school system to beg him to cancel school for the week.

As the first snowflake fell, my mom and I hit up the two stores that every girl needs when stocking up for a snow-in: Safeway and JoAnns. Along with everyone else. It seems we weren't the only ones looking for milk and some crafty entertainment for the weekend.

Eli didn't seem phased by the excitement too much. Which is too bad, really. Had he been a year or two older, this would have been his winter to remember. He may never see snow like this again.

Of course, we could always get stationed in Alaska...

to you and yours

As I was enjoying some quality son time a moment ago, the funniest and most predictable thing happened.

He was naked and cute and "airing out". I hear that's good for babies. I was looking into his blue eyes and just loving every ounce of him. And loving our family, as spread out as we are.

And then I got wet.

Thankfully I have some quick reflexes. And a handily placed diaper. But we will now be doing a load of wash that consists of
a full-sized blanket
a pair of yoga pants
a sock
a rabbit toy.

I hope your new year is full of happy family moments, as interrupted as they may be.

Army-Navy game

I know I owe you all many updates on the happenings of the Grube home, including a 5-day cross-country trip that landed Eli, Roxy and I in Maryland for a few months. But Saturday was a big day. So I need to share.

I grew up in a Navy family. A family that holds the most important day of the year as the Army-Navy game, the biggest football rivalry in the world. Or at least that's what I was led to believe growing up. This year as no exception.

Maybe....

First I must explain. Being from a Navy family and rooting for Navy all my life means that switching teams would be a hard thing. But I'm now married to the Army, so what do I do?

Well, according to my dad it's easy. Because he and Jim made an agreement back in 2003 when Jim asked for my hand. At least this is how the story goes...

I could marry Jim if I root for Navy until I've been Army longer than I've been Navy.

So if I was married at 26, I can root for Navy until I'm 52. Then I have to switch sides. That'll be in 2030.

Did you follow that? Jim often reminds me that I'm allowed to change allegiance anytime before that. And I think I've already started to cave, actually. But don't tell my dad. Besides, it's not my fault. This little guy might have convinced me.


Because Jim has made me promise to never put Eli in Navy garb.

Ever.

So while we all piled into my parents' living room to watch the game on Saturday, everyone wore Navy shirts except for one. And he was the cutest of all.

a full week and a full heart

These have been on my camera. They're snapshots from the last seven days before Jim left. Thought I'd share, because why not? They make me happy.

Remember at the beginning of the year when Jim took command? Well, last week he handed his unit off to another and took a different job within the battalion. It's a bittersweet day when you watch your husband fall into the formation of soldiers he's worked so hard for, instead of being in front of it. But for Jim this is a step up. I'm very proud he's been selected for this new position. Eli is, too. Can't you tell? Or maybe he's trying to escape...

One of our goals before Jim left was to ride the tramway up the Franklin Mountains and watch the sunset. Thanks to some friends who were willing to watch Eli, we had a delightful night just the two of us. It was crazy windy, but crazy worth it. If not just for that last picture that makes my heart skip a beat every time I see it.

As we waited Sunday morning for Jim's flight to leave, we found a warm corner and played one of our favorite games, Cribbage. Now it should be noted that I've been playing this game all my life, and Jim hasn't. So, I like to think of myself as way better than him. After all, it's about numbers and counting and I'm into that. But this last game I wasn't so lucky. Jim only needed seven points, and he got exactly that. Seven. Before the hand was played he told that if he wins I had to deploy for him. Gratefully he didn't hold me to it. Because among other reasons, I don't look good in camouflage.

These are my favorites. There have been many bonding moments with Eli. He smiles alot now and even coos back when we have conversations with him. He is definitely our favorite kid in the world. Jim soaked him in and is looking forward to running around with him when he returns.

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I want to thank you all for blowing my inbox away with all the warm sentiments you left in my comments and on Facebook. It's hard to feel lonely when you guys have me surrounded. Your prayers mean the world to me, as the power of God in our lives can make mountains move. Let alone comfort a grieving heart. My heart is full. Which is quite an accomplishment. You... and I mean it... you have helped me get through the last few days.

Thank you.

and, he's gone...

Yesterday we said our goodbyes. We've been anticipating this day for a year, and yet that out-of-control feeling still caught me by surprise as I watched the mass of uniforms move towards the buses.

I'm still grateful to those ladies walking about with their boxes of tissues. I don't cry very often. But yesterday as I stared at my steering wheel, I sobbed.

There was no hopeless "woe is me", or "how am I going to get through this". The tears were just sadness and the realization that it's finally happened. Jim has deployed.

I drove to Starbucks and had my customary frappachino. Why I chose to go in and melt into one of their couches, I'm not really sure. I didn't want to go home, I guess. Yet there comes a peace when a little baby falls asleep on your chest, and Eli played his part well. It all started to soak in. Sort of.

It's really hard to wrap your mind around a year.

But I don't think I really have to. It's more like, he'll be gone, then he'll be back. I'll wake up at the beginning of the day, and at night I'll put my head on my pillow. After enough of those, Jim will be home and Deployment #2 will be over.

Until then, I'll be thinking a lot about Romans 8:28, hanging out with Eli and waiting with bated breath for that next phone call from Jim.

That is one good thing about the Army. The honeymoon phase never really disappears.

I love you, hon. Stay safe out there. Your little family is missing you every moment.

Dang it. Where are those tissues.

SYTYCD - Top 16

To those who are following the Sisterhood, Welcome! To those other loyal followers of my sadly neglected blog, I'm sorry if you're not into So You Think You Can Dance. And you're expecting more cute pictures of Eli. Or my still-not-finished nursery. Next time...

So, on with the Sisterhood! This is my first time recapping and I'm a bit nervous. Be kind. It's also a little last minute as I was called in as a sub. In fact, I should be honest and say that I haven't even watched the show since Vegas week. Not on purpose, though. Busy, busy, busy. I did my research and read all your recaps. However, I've decided to go into tonight giving all the dancers a fair chance. No preconcieved notions. (For the most part.) So these are my ramblings and impressions...

My first thought: Hey! New intro!

My second thought: What the heck, Cat??? Elvira? Really, I found her whole get-up very distracting all night.

On a similar note, after reading your recaps I was interested to meet this Karen girl and was disappointed to find out she was hotter than me. (Jim disagreed. He's such a good husband.)

Where was I? Right, Cat's crazy hair.

And a welcome/shout-out to last season's top dancers. It's been like a whole 2 months, right?

Then as Cat muffled a laugh while trying to compliment the joodges (did anyone else catch that?), Adam decided to wake up. Then way too much time cross-promoting various charities and shows. Cat doesn't seem impressed and almost falls asleep herself, I think. The coached applause from the audience only accentuated the boredom.

And then, as Cat said, "Back to tonight!"

First up, Karen & Kevin. Instantly Jim decides she's trying to channel JLo. Whatever. As long as she's not prettier than me. They do a hustle, which I didn't even know was a dance genre. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't too memorable for me. Afterwards Adams seems to just now notice that Kevin's in the competition. And Karen is a "quiet fire". And then he talked alot. Jim predicted a Train from Mary (who he refers to as Crazy Stupid Lady) and was almost right. I thought for sure it was coming and had my hands halfway to my ears. But no. Just more talking. Then Nigel.

Then commercials. To include Sonic commercials. I love me some Sonic commericals.

Jakob & Ashleigh are up next with a jazz piece. I would say they definitely didn't conquer the cane. And if the cane was the third character, than those spandex pants were the fourth. Yikes! I found the whole dance stiff and awkward. Which is too bad because I thought it was a fun concept and with the right dancers could have been great. I don't even think the audience bought it. But Adam apparently did. I couldn't have disagreed with him more. And I think he has a crush on Jakob. Is he still talking? Then Mary and Nigel liked it, too? Were they watching the same routine I was?

[Side note: When I watch this with my DVR friends, they always fast forward through the judges and I always bothered me. But I wish I'd had the button tonight.]

Pauline & Peter break out in a Hawaiian quick step. I thought it was cute. But maybe I'm a sucker for a guy in uniform... They weren't perfect, but I thought they brought it pretty well. The judges seem so-so. They point out the good and point out the bad, but I'm wondering if they're being too easy on the dancers this season... (Later I find out how wrong I am was.)

Kathryn & Legacy learn Broadway this week. Cute! I liked the storyline and thought they did a pretty good job. (And both Jim and I decide that the upper thigh is a random place to have a tatoo.) We also decided that Adam should not be allowed to call Legacy "Legs". Too, too weird. And poor Kathryn. They ripped her apart and I wanted to cry for her. I thought she did great. Then Nigel started to compliment Legacy (I think) but went on long enough with metaphors that the look on Legs' face was exactly what I was thinking: Wha?

Channing & Victor. (I love that she raced lawnmowers.) They pull out a great contemporary number. I really liked this. If they had performed this with a little more passion, it could have been awesome. But it still left me happy. If I remember correctly (my tired brain is getting a little sloppy) the judges seemed to like it, too. Except for the often boo'd Nigel. It's so funny how he interacts with the audience. Like he has to prove himself to a mass of people who have already proven that they'll clap at anything. Remember that five minute plug for Dizzy Feet?

Lil C is back with hip hop for Ryan & Ellinor. I like hip hop so I was hoping they'd be good. I think Mary (was it Mary?) nailed it when she said it got "sluggish half way through". Nigel had on his sour face. Come on, Nigel. I didn't think it was that bad! Sometimes he can be such a crotchety old man. I can't harp on the guy for having an opinion. It's his job. But he kept going on and on and on... I love that Cat always tries to keep things copacetic, trying to find just the right words to keep everyone smiling. She has such a charm about her, don't you think? Except for that hair...

Mollee & Nathan are challenged with the salsa. But before they even start to dance, I've decided that Mollee is, like, twelve. I'm already annoyed. They try their best, bless their hearts. Not even extreme yardage of yellow ace bandages wrapped around Mollee peek-a-boo body can distract us from, well, everything that went wrong. And the judges let them have it. Then I start to feel kinda bad for Mollee because she looks like she's going to cry as soon as Adam opened his mouth. I thought he summed it up pretty well, though. Really, it was just pretty bad.

Lastly we have Noelle & Russell with a newly made-up genre, Afro-jazz. I've been excited for this one all night. I vaguely remember Russell the Crumper from Vegas week so I was curious to see how he'd do. And I wasn't disappointed. I can see why he's a fan favorite. But as they are intro-ing the piece, I could't help but think I'd be bummed if I found out my spirit guide was a frog. Just sayin'. But they made it work. It was quirky and fun. So fun, that they get the Train. Thanks, Mary. And Nigel makes a jab at Russian Folk dancing again. It's obvious Russell is the judge favorite. And Cat's too, I think. Did anyone catch her checking him out when she was signing them off for commerical?

Overall I felt that that show was eternal. I didn't realize it was going to be two hours. Again, I've been out of the loop. And if I had to guess, I think Mollee and Nathan might go. And hopefully Cat's hairdresser. The two strongest dances were Channing & Victor, and Noelle & Russell. What do you think? Am I totally off? Let the discussion begin!

eli the gnome

Isn't he the cutest thing you ever did see?

And his mischievous cousin Asher, too!

nursery teaser

I'm that lame friends that promised to post nursery pics a while back. (Awhile is an understatement, yes.) I'm also the lame mom who had her baby two months ago and still doesn't have the nursery done.

I know. I know.

It's not my fault. It's this pesky quilt. It's refusing to cooperate. My goal is to finish it this weekend. And maybe move around those pictures I've been thinking about.

But since I figured there'd be a blogsphere coup if I didn't post something soon... (yes, I've been getting your not-so-subtle hints) here are some teasers to leave you with for the weekend.





I promise I'll have real pictures up by next Friday. But if I don't blog between now and then, pray for me because it's probably because I'm busy calling my quilt all sorts of bad names.