Home is where my heart is

I blog tonight from my mattress on the floor of my new master bedroom. Why am I on the floor? (you may be asking). Well, the "wonderful"(I use that word as I hold back the urge to vomit) moving company lost our side rails to our brand new bed. We need the side rails to old our bed together so without them, we are left with no bed frame. So our room looks great, except for the mattress on the floor!
We have less than 5 boxes in the garage to sort through, so I think its safe to say we are "moved in". Thanks to our good friends Shawn and Trevor, as well as my dad, John, the move went really well. Cory spent most of the week unpacking and getting things done around the house. I did some too, but my main job was to keep Reese occupied and try not to get stressed out (moving makes me want to lose my mind). We've got a couple of things Cory would like to do before he heads back to A-stan, but we are SO in love with our new home.
On that note, Cory is so glad to be home. We don't even talk about him leaving again. We know its coming, but we just want to make the best of everyday. Please continue to pray for him as well as the other soldiers. They've got a long haul before its all over. It has already taken a toll on them. My heart breaks everytime I think about what our men and women have to endure daily.
I hope to post pics soon. If not, definitely when Cory heads back as I will have more time to wait for them to upload (I'm sure you understand). Just know that I am SO in love with my husband, my kids and my beautiful home and home is where my heart is!!!!

Moving day

The day has finally come! We are moving into our new house, starting today! It was definitely a God thing having Cory come home so early because God knew how stressed I get when I have to move! I HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm sure it will be a several day process as we have three kids to keep up with in the process. We are taking Reese back to the Dr. this morning for his cough, so we probably will not get started until this afternoon. But the house is officially vacant and ready for its new owners - US!!! I'll update with pics as soon as I dig my way out of the sea of boxes! Happy Monday!

Birthday Shout Out (take... oh forget it)

Today is my mom's birthday!! I just wanted to take a moment and give her a shout out! Although I do not have a cute video(with the CUTEST 3 year old ever, I might add) like my sister-in-law, I do hope she has a wonderful day!!
Mom, thank you so much for all you do for us each and every day! You are the greatest and without you, we'd be lost! We love you so much and are so blessed to have you as Mom and Grammie! Have a wonderful day!
Love, US

Friday 5

This summer has been a busy one. I've taken tons of pictures, but instead of loading them all here, I've decided to post some highlights!! These are 5 of my favorite pics from this summer!

Reese in Charleston. He loves to laugh and smile!! Isn't he adorable?
All the grandkids. Not the greatest pic, but surely you understand the difficulty of getting 4 kids to look at smile at the same time!!

Sam and Hailey did cheerleading camp (along with cooking camp). They had such a great time.


Sam and Hailey started 1st grade. This is them on the first day. So grown up!!!

Reese has outgrown his baby bath tub (as well as the sink). He always reclines - no matter where he is. He can sit up, just chooses not to.

Something bit me...

I'm sure my colorful husband added a few more explitives to that statement, but he was bitten by a scorpion a couple days ago. OUCH!! It bit him in his left armpit - DOUBLE OUCH!!!!!!! So far, he's had no adverse side effects, just lots of pain!!!
In other news, the "good news" that I eluded to a few blogs ago is true!!! NO, I'm not pregnant (so stop asking). Cory is coming home for R&R SOON!!! I can't say when because I really don't have a definite date (besides, I couldn't release it even if I did know - OPSEC). I wasn't excited at first. Not because I don't love and miss him, but because I have just now gotten to the point where I'm not a basket case all the time, I just started my job and we're not in our house yet. Its just not the way I planned things. But, I've got work settled and it looks like we'll be moving into our house in a couple weeks, so now I'm SO EXCITED!!! Looks like he'll be home for the girls Birthday - yeah its that soon!!! The only bad thing is that when he goes back, we'll have a LONG time to go until we see each other again. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there!
The girls activities are in full swing now. Hailey has her first soccer game this Saturday, and Samantha has had her first tumbling class. I start nights this week - FINALLY!!! Reese is still fighting his cough. He did say MaMa yesterday - of course I cried... He's getting so big!! Hopefully, like I said earlier, we'll be in our new house in a couple weeks. Definitely by the end of the month! YEAH!
So that's just a little update. Cory's doing well. Besides being bitten by the scorpion, and the Army trying to get every minute out of him before he comes home for R&R, he's just peachy. The kids keep me sane (and sometimes cause me to feel like I'm going INSANE), keep me busy, but I'm loving every minute of it all! My job is great. I really enjoy work and the people I work with. I love my kids, I love my job and of course, I LOVE my soldier. Life is just moving along at warp speed! Now, if only I could figure how to freeze time when Cory's here, I'd be set!
** AFTER MUCH RESEARCH AND DEBATE, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT SCORPIONS DO NOT BITE, THEY STING. SO CORY WAS NOT BITTEN BY THE THING, HE WAS STUNG. EITHER WAY, I'M SURE IT HURT!!! YOU GET THE PICTURE!

Fallen Soldier

Today we mourn the loss of yet another 2 soldiers. Please pray for these families and for the soldiers left behind. They have taken many blows. Please pray for their continued safety, and God will give them the peace that only He can give.

Birthday shout out (take 3, I think)

Tomm, Sept 5, is one of the greatest people I know's birthday. (I know that isn't really grammatically correct, Annie, but you get what I'm saying :)). Natalie (Abrams) Childs is celebrating her 27th birthday (it may be her 28th). I remember when we were in High School a group of us would celebrate our birthdays together. Natalie and I always shared the celebration because our birthdays were so close. Now that we're all grown up and busy with our lives, we almost NEVER get together. I miss those days.
Happy Birthday, Natalie!! (I know I'm a day early - I work tomm and didn't want to forget to give you a shout out!). I hope you have a wonderful day! I will see you soon! But even though we don't see each other much anymore, please know that I love you and you will always be one of the dearest friends I have ever known!!!

Hump Day Happenings

So its Wednesday. I'm off today and tomm and then my first full weekend working since I've been back. Just wanted to take a moment and post an update on how we're all doing.
*I'm into full work mode now. It amazing how I have just fallen back into the routine. I'm still working 11am to 11pm and I hate it. I love my job, just hate the hours. Hopefully this is my last week and then I'll be on strictly nights.
*I had reservations about working (we all know that), but I find myself feeling more accomplished and "happier" (I use that word only because I can't think of a better one at the time). I am tired, don't get me wrong. But I am a firm believer that some women are meant to be stay at home moms, but I am not one of those. I have loved being home with my kids all day everyday, but I feel more fulfilled because I'm working. Call me a horrible mother, but in my honest opinion, I feel like I'm a better mother because I'm happier and when I'm with my kids, they have my undivided attention nevermind the fact that I'm so busy that time FLIES by. Its what works for us, and I'm glad God opened the door for this job!!!
*In the nest few weeks, I'll be praying for time to come to a halt as Cory will be home for R&R. It will only be for 18 days, and its A LOT sooner than we hoped and planned, but we have both vowed to make the most of every minute we have. Work has been gracious enough to give me the full time off so I can be with my family. I am so thankful!
*With any luck, we will begin the move into our new house while Cory's home. Again, I had hoped when he came home, we would already be in our house and settled, but we have to take what we can get!
*Hailey has started soccer and LOVES it. She's so cute when she plays too. Her first game is Saturday. Hopefully I'll remember the camera.
*Sam starts tumbling next week. Mondays will be crazy for us! Hailey has soccer AND Sam has tumbling back to back. I'm glad they have chosen different activities, but its going to be chaos for a while!
*The girls are still loving school. Traffic is getting better. I have to get to the school around 1:15 to be close to the front to pick them up. Now, if we could only get rid of the moron who's the crossing guard (that another post all together).
*Reese has had a nasty cough for the last week and a half. I think we may be on the other side of it now. But he's been pitiful. Still no teeth, I think I may have to get him some dentures (LOL, J/K). He's eating baby food and some table food. He's at that stage where if ANYONE is eating, he feels like he should be too. Of course, that's not the case, but its hard to get a 7 month old to understand that!
*I finally got the pictures downloaded off my camera. I'll post some soon. I had close to 200 that needed to be downloaded. As soon as I pick which ones are "blog worthy" I'll post them.
*I'm on the hunt for another vehicle. I LOVE my Sorento, but I need more room. I would prefer to have an SUV with a third row, but it looks like I may have to break down and become a minivan mom (I'm not knocking you ladies, but if you know me, you understand I'm not a minivan mom). Any suggestions would be great!!
I think that's it. Life is in full swing here at the Trotter's and I LOVE IT!!!!!! I hope you all are doing well out there in Blogville! Have a great week!!