Husband - Wife challenge.

So, patrick and I have this challenge of who can become more fit during the course of the deployment. Well, so far I can bet money he's winning.. 

A.Because he was in great shape before he left
B.I think I went backward when I went home, oops.

SO, I have a new found determination to completely kick his tail .. and it's called Insanity.

Well, thats the title of the 60 day work out, and well, I think i'm insane for doing it.

Before you can begin they require you to do a "Fit test" where you do as many of the specific "moves" as you can in 1 minute, and they help you mark your progress by repeating it every 15 days...

Well, i'm sore from the Fit test, so I can say with confidence that it's going to be a LONG 6o days.

I'll be posting my results as I go along!

Good Luck babe, you may not win after all ;)

-Kelsey.

Back to blogging!

ahh. I'm glad I'm blogging again! For some reason the email that I use with my blog got hacked. So thats been a big reason for my absence. That, and I've been in Virginia since June 12th! So this blog is brought to you by the East coast :)

I can't quite sum up my trip in a blog so I'll just share a few things about Virgnia that I've missed!

1. Our families

If you know me, you know they are a huge part of my life. It's been extremely difficult moving across the world and not seenig them on a daily basis. Seeing how I haven't been home in a year, I jumped at the opportunity to come home and visit for the last 2 months! (thanks hubby!)

2. My niece & nephew.

Ok. Yes, this is family. However I feel that they deserve their own number. The rest of my family is grown and obviously set in their lives while I have this nagging feeling that I'm missing them grow up. They are now 6 and 2 and they have so much love to give. This is my main struggle about going back, I hate that Kendall may forget me because I'm not incoporated into her daily life. I was lucky enough to live with Noah for many years and he became that pesky little brother that drives you crazy, but you can't imagine your life without. I thank God for these little ones.

3. My Frans.

This is a big one as well, obviously I miss my friends. They are a huge part of my life and I hope that never changes. I just pray the the Lord can continue to strengthen our relationships even though we are all going in different directions. We are so spread out now..between Northern VA,chicago, texas, kentucky, florida, etc.. but I love when we can still make time to skype despite the time difference. I like those days.

4. The food.

SWEET TEA. The Homeplace, tokyo express, SWEET TEA. apple bees... I know I know I sound like a fat kid, but I'm turning into one since I've been able to devor all my favorite things :)

5.The Mountains.

Hawaii is volcanic and they resemble each other. But there is something about driving through Salem surrounded by the mountains that says Home.

6.The events

When a girlfriend gets engaged and you can't see her wed, or a friend has a baby and you can only send your love through the mail, at time like these being so far away just stinks! but I did get to attend a friend's bridal shower while I was home, and I finally got to meet my best friends boyfriend (I approve) so that was pretty awesome!

That's all I have for now! Im sure when I get back to hawaii next week I will have PLENTY more.

-Kelsey





Aiden is 18 months!

waaaaaah. where did time go?

Anyway. I thought I'd do a quick update of Aiden and his milestones/stats :)

18 month stats :

Weight - 27 lbs

Heigh - 33.5 inches

Big boy he is!

Favorite foods :

grilled cheese
bananas
oranges
any fruit really

mashed potatoes

chocolate milk

tomatoes

Likes to:                                                   

Climb everything

Eat

Play with his friends at "school"

take baths

Skype

jump & dance

Words & Signs :

Mommy, Mom, Mama

Daddy, Dada, Dah

Puppy

Pawpaw

Eee ya (see ya)

byebye

Puppy

baby

tickle tickle

Ewo (hello)

poop (Thanks to his father)

Apple

Nana

Niye niye (Night night)

Waves,high fives,"pound it", signs more, eat & milk

He is such a sweet boy. I can't imagine my life without this little face everyday! Thought I would include a video of his 18 month words for this blog. Ignore him smacking me in the face with my own phone. :)

Aiden's first day of "school"

Aiden has his first day of daycare this past week, he goes on tuesdays and thursdays for 4 hours to help with his speech & basically to let him interact with more kiddos and he seems to like it so far!

I felt like I was going to have a panic attack on Monday evening thinking about dropping my baby off the next morning, and I just KNEW that he was going to have a massive meltdown the next morning...

Fast forward.

Tuesday morning we went into his classroom, put his backpack up in a cubby & washed his hands....then I lingered because I was unsure, and then I asked him for a hug and kiss (which I didn't get) and he just let me leave. No tears, no screaming, no fuss.

Well, not from him. I on the other hand,  cried all the way home (I live close, so my "sad time" was short) I just feel like he is growing way too fast, and it's hitting me that he really isn't a baby anymore. I mean, I know he will always be "my baby" but his infancy is gone and I feel a tiny piece of my heart break, and then the rest of it says, Ok - have another!  ;)

I now realize I am just as attached to him as he is to me, he's my shadow, Especially when Patrick is gone..but as much as I missed it, it was nice to try and clean my house without stopping for popsicles or the end of nap time or because Captian America needed immediate attention. But for now, 4 hours for 2 days a week is just enough for the both of us to handle haha.

When I went to pick him up on Tuesday he was a hott mess. He usually naps around 10:30 and they don't get out until 12, and if you know Aiden you know he doesn't do well without sleep and he is a bear when he's tired. When I got there she was holding him and walking him around, I could hear him crying through the door and It broke my heart...but as soon as he saw me he perked right up and snuggled into my shoulder and wrapped his fingers into my hair.

Love him, that little stinker.

He totally had the whole "sleep head bob" that you do when trying to stay awake, during lunch... he slept for 3 hours that afternoon :) Go daycare.

Thursday went well too - and he was crying when I picked him up again...but this time it was because he didn't want to come in from the playground. Oh bug.

All in all his first week went well!

Alright mom, I'm done sweeping...can we go now?

Ok.. my captions are lame.

But this kid, is seriously cute.

Family flip book :)

I've been trying to think of a way to help Aiden learn his family members seeing as how we're all stuck out on an island in the middle of the ocean & my family is in Virginia.

                              Found one!

Ok, I made it up. Or saw in somewhere with animals in ECE II my senior year in high school...
something like that. Aiden loves seeing everyone on skype, so I figured this would be perfect!

But anyway, I decided to make a "Flip picture book" of all our our family!
I love the fact that the lamination sheets protect the index cards from sticky fingers and slobbery kisses.

If you're curious, (it's SUPER easy) here are my materials list

-5x7 index cards
-whole punch
-glue stick
-Self laminating sheets (I had about 6, it just depends on how many cards you use)
-Pictures of family members (I printed them out on regular computer paper)
-Clasping rings


(excuse the low quality crappy pics, I went to get my camera & the battery was dead)

It's really simple!

Step 1 : search through the computer & jack all my relatives pictures off facebook ;) (Sarah helped expedite this process with her skills)

Step 2 : Use word to print above mentioned pictures off (I cropped some of their faces)

Step 3 : Glue picture onto index card

(yes, my workstation was my carpet & my son's hallmark book..dont hate)

Step 4 : I used Zaner-bloser handwriting to write the names, I just remember writing everything Zaner-bloser in Mrs.Stratton's class.

Step 5: I dont have a picture, but this part is a bit frustrating - Use the self laminating sheets to cover and protect your card

Most of the cards, there are a couple that aren't here because they weren't finished yet.

Step 6: Punch the whole in the top corner and feed the ring through, and you are done!



Ta-da!

Aiden has been walking around with this saying "Naaaaana.. Naaaaaaaaaaaaaana" I giggle everytime he says it :)

enjoy!

Bug can't catch a break.

He's for sure his momma's baby. If you know me, you know I can barley walk and chew gum at the same time. I've broken more bones than you can count on two hands & I can fall up the stairs just as easy as down. Looks like Aiden got something from me after all!


Last night (Tuesday) we were just finishing up bathtime and he stood up and I grabbed his towel to get him out, I hadn't even touched him and he slipped and went face first into the Faucet.

....Insert mom panic here.

I immediatley freaked out because well, there was blood pouring from his mouth and I just assumed he broke his teeth and busted his gums (I've done this before, so I know the amount of blood and pain)
But it turns out he gashed the inside of his lip to the outside, Big thanks to Sarah for letting me wake her up and let her confirm that I was doing everything right.. It doesn't matter how long I work in health care, he's my baby and everything goes out the window haha. I decided it wasn't worth stitching and he was acting like himself within the hour (popsicle induced) so I watched him for a bit longer than put him to bed...

FYI - we have this faucet cover, and it didn't do much to protect his face from the metal underneath.

Anyway, Aiden was asleep for about an hour before he woke up coughing..barking was more like it, and I instantly knew it was a croup cough. I remember sitting in steamed up bathroom with my dad for hours to try and get some relief, and going outside at 2 in the morning just so I could breathe, Go dad!

It was scaring me because you could here the stridor when he wasn't coughing, and his color was getting yucky - so after some albuterol, and outside air - I decided it was time for the ED.

                                                                        Poor fat lips.

We were seen right away (I love castle hospital!) & given a breathing treatment and some super steroids which def. did the trick! His o2 was teetering between 89-91 when we first got there and he was able to keep it above 94 so they let us go home about 7 hours & another breathing treatment later.

Oh, and they glued his lip while we were there, so that was a plus I guess? haha.

Let's pull all the tissues out, and shove them back in!

Ah, I love this little snot. He did much better today minus some coughing. So I'm happy about that!

Dear Dad, Can't wait for you to come home. We're falling apart with out you! and momma doesn't do so well with my blood.

Love you xoxo

Aiden.

Happy (almost) Anniversary John Patrick!

ah, I can't believe it's already been 2 years since I said "I do" to the love of my life!!
 (boo for him being in California, last year he was deployed... fingers crossed for next year!)

We have been together for 5 years this summer & married for 2 on Thursday,
 and somewhere in there we snuck in :

• Stalking the mailbox for letters from Parris Island
•  countless trips to Norfolk
• more goodbye kisses than I ever care to have.
• Late night phone calls
• A deployment to cuba, spain and country hopping through europe
• the most amazing 24 hour engagement
• Saying I do
• a pregnancy
• a squishy 6.8 lb baby boy,
• Afghanistan
•  a cross country PCS
•  homecoming from Afghanistan, which helped us kick off our last year together.

 Time flys when your having fun I suppose ;)

Lets look back :)

The day I waited for, for 3 months. Family day at Parris island Oct 18, 2007.

The weekend before he left for Cuba, August 2008

The day my love came back from Spain! October 2009

The day I became Mrs.Webber, April 12, 2010

The day we became parents, October 23, 2010

The day we welcomed Daddy home & our hearts become whole again, May 2011.

If I were to say our relationship has been a fairy tale, I woud be lying. We are your average couple..we fight, we bicker (ok, I fight...Patrick rarley fights back haha) and we've had our fair share of tears & heartache. But we have always been able to pull through because at the end of the day...he is the man that I fell in love with, and I could never imagine (and don't want to) starting and ending my days with anyone else.

The past year has been one of the best of my life, watching my son grow and being able to physically spend time with Pat and not worrying and wondering when the next time we will see each other again will be. The Lord really has given me so much more than I could have ever imagined in a husband or a father to my child(ren). He is brave, kind, determined... and many other things... (and he's kind of good looking, so that doesn't hurt ;) ) And I will forever wonder how I got so lucky.

So, happy 2 years my love! I love you with all my heart. Cheers to many more!

here & there

I've been keeping up my morning runs and this morning I ran 1.7 miles and walked .59 (according to Mapmyrun I think it's called) AH! Well, I was stupid and ran on an empty/vitamin stomach..and yeah, lets just say that anyone who was driving on Mokapu street around 8:30 ish this morning watched me throw my guts up.
Nice kels, real nice.

Getting back in shape is hard! BUT when I put my mind to something I can do it.
     (Philippians 4:13)

This past weekend Aiden and I went to the beach :) Which he loves I might add. It usually takes him a little while to warm up to the sand and the sound of the ocean but after about 15 mintues he always gets used to the sand and loves sticking his feet in the water

Another thing we have going on is with my tiniest love. This is the 2nd time it's been mentioned in an appt., but they want him to be evaulated for speech therapy. He is almost 18 months and isn't saying too much..and doesn't seem too interested in saying more, so they think it's in his best interest. Of course no mother wants to hear that her baby is "delayed" but I've been praying about it and we're going to go ahead with the evaluation... They think that his chronic ear infections may have something to do with his delay in speech so I guess we shall see..It also makes me nervous that his seizure issues could have affected something...but thats just me being a worried Mom. I need to stop and turn it over to God, but I am a Momma bear & Aiden is my (not so) tiny bear cub....but ultimately I know God is in control!

Eating with a spoon :) Take that delayed responses ;)

My love,

We miss you bunches! You haven't been gone a week and I feel like I haven't seen you in months! As you can see Aiden misses you too. He got right up in the screen today and started touching it and looking at me and smiling. He has been "Dada"ing around the house, I think he is looking for you.. He really understands his "daddy books" now and will sit very quietly and content listening to them, it melts my heart haha. I haven't talked to ya today so I hope the range went well, hopefully you're getting so much needed rest. I Love you to the moon & back! <3

Getting back in shape, finally.

Alright, I've been saying it FOREVER now. but I'm ready to get back in shape. I lost about 60 lbs and I've kept it off since last June, but that doesn't mean im "in shape" I get winded going up and down the stairs, it's so sad. I have NO clue how I used to play soccer right now, I feel like if I tried I would end up puking my guts out and have severe asthmatic issues.

Im a whimp.

Anywaaaay. Today I started and ran a mile, go me. It was awful haha, but It felt good AFTER I did it! So tomorrow my goal is 1.25 without stopping, If you are someone who runs marathons or you're just insane like my best friend, Rachel and you run 10 miles a day - do not make fun of me. Baby steps people, baby steps. I hope to work my way up in the mileage each day, and I have that new Mapmyrun app or something and it tracks my pace and mileage, so that rocks.

Hey Handsome!
 Bug and I went to dixie grill with the Henroids, it only took us an hour to get there. They should make  a special GPS for oahu because of all the overlapping roads. It took us the route that we went when we took my cousin when she was here in January haha .

We went to target and I got Aiden some crayons :) They are the plastic twistables and he LOVED them. He sat in his high chair for about 30 minutes non stop coloring! :)

We went to the park for about half hour again tonight, and once again he didn't want to leave. p.s He can climb up the slide like it's no big deal haha

Thats our day :)

<3you with all my heart.

Sending our love to California!

Patrick left for Cax/Emv yesterday for 6 weeks or so, so for now it's just Aiden and I!


Hey honey!
 Today wasn't crazy, just an regular ole' Aiden & mommy day. I pretty much straightned the downstairs up minus the kitchen table, It gives me anxiety looking at it haha. But aiden DID sleep until 8:30 so that was super awesome!

We went to the doctor this after noon, he was super grumpy for the entire appt. (But then again, I did have to wake him up from his nap to leave) I think the last time they looked in his ears it scarred him for life because as soon as she pulled out the scope he got mad and starting whimpering, poor bug.

We ran to the commisary later on because I realized we we're running low on Diapers and milk, you know - an essential in the Webber household. But we came home and ate dinner, then we walked down to the playground near our mailboxes, he had SO much fun. He was constantly screeching,laughing and happy feeting. He even liked the slides this time! (I went down the slide with at first, impressive..I know) once we were there for about 30 minutes I realized it was bathtime so we headed home, of course Aiden sat down and refused to move. So that was fun.

Bathtime,storytime, bedtime. You know the routine.

I missed you today, I miss you every minute. Already started my countdown.

I love you so much, Bug does too!

All over the place.

My.mind.is.everywhere.

blah.

I don't even know where to start this blog, beside the fact that I've been blah the past couple of months, let me preface this with - I know the Lord has a plan for my life, & my families - but I am human and of course I get down sometimes.

I think my whole funk started when I miscarried, It's been exactly 2 months and 1 day and I think about it daily. I don't know if thats normal, but its true. I got so excited and used to the thought of having 2 kiddos and Aiden having a younger sibling close in age & all that changed. (somedays, I'm not good with change) I know we can try and have another, but thats not what this is about.

Im rambling.

Anyhoo, I think I need to make a serious list of goals & a timeline in which I would like to get those goals accomplished, I have always functioned best when theres 50 things on my plate & I'm pushing myself (yes, I know this might seem strange) Don't get me wrong, I love the days where Aid & I can stay in our jammies and have an mickey mouse clubhouse marathon while coloring and jamming to Elmo's greatest hits. and most days, I love being home with him. (please don't take that as I dont like being with my son, pat & I are very fortunate to be financially comfortable at our ages, which doesn't make working a nessicity) but I would love to get back in school & finish my degree.

 Goals.

1.Get back into Nursing school

2.Get Aiden into Daycare (eeeeek)

3.Get a job

4.Get into a excersize routine



5.Have another baby

^some of those are a tad contradicting, but hey, we'll cross that bridge when we get there haha.

I basically needed to get some stuff off my chest. whew.

White chicken enchilada Pinterest review!

I am by NO MEANS a chef, or proffesional, I'm actually sort of lucky that I started cooking for my husband after he came off MRE's and care package snakcs for 7 months
(Ok that sounds a little weird, but basically I don't really know how to cook)

Anyhoo, I've been trying really hard to learn and try new things - and so far... It's about tied.

                  Cooking 25 - Kelsey - 15 , Ok, cooking may be winning.. but no one has gone hungry yet!

Last night I made White chicken enchiladas from this link
http://joyful-mommas-kitchen.blogspot.com/2011/09/white-chicken-enchiladas.html

and they were AMAZZZZZZING.

Here is her recipe :

Chicken enchiladas with green chili sour cream sauce

*These are seriously so so good*

10 soft taco shells

2 cups cooked, shredded chicken

2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

3 Tbsp. butter

3 Tbsp. flour

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup sour cream

1 (4 oz) can diced green chillies

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 9x13 pan

2. Mix chicken and 1 cup cheese.  Roll up in tortillas and place in pan.

3. In a sauce pan, melt butter, stir in flour and cook 1 minute.  Add broth and whisk until smooth.  Heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly.  

4. Stir in sour cream and chilies.  Do not bring to boil, you don't want curdled sour cream.

5. Pour over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese.

6. Bake 22 min and then under high broil for 3 min to brown the cheese.

My Changes:

The only thing I would alter is if your going to feeding more than 2 of you, I would make more chicken.. 2 cups definatley wasn't enough for 10 taco shells, I ended up only filling 5. (which was plenty for us)

I also used half of th chilis bc Pat and I aren't a huge fan of pepper pieces, BUT they do add flavor to the sauce, next time Ill use the entire thing!

Basically, this recipe is delicious and you should make it. It's TOO GOOD.

God's plan.

"Everything happens for a reason"

"There is a reason for everything"

"Embrace change rather than complain about the inevitable"

 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

This is the piece of scripture I've been holding onto for the past couple of weeks.

I don't know who reads this, and those of who do, actually know me..but I am your average ordinary 23 year old girl.... minus the fact that I've been married for almost 2 years and I have a 15 month old son, lived apart from my husband more than together, and have watched the Marine Corps turn my "fairy tale" romance into a long distance, heart wrenching,anxiety filled relationship. (Ok, so Im not "too average")

 (Hey, it was worth it..my husband is awesome)

What I'm trying to get at is that my life is not what I planned. At all. & I CAN'T be more thankful.

I planned on marrying Patrick, just not when I did.. I planned on having a baby...just not when I did... I planned on finishing nursing school..ohh wait... (one day,one day) And Goodness greif I never thought in a million years I would follow my other half 4000 miles across the US to Hawaii, I'm SUCH a homebody.

Anyway, what I'm getting at is that OUR timing isn't ours at all. Not even close.

About 2 weeks before Christmas I started feeling off, really crappy actually.. and one day I woke up, almost passed out and realized I maaay need to seak medical attention, so I went in to our clinic here on Kbay and had a battery of tests done, which they had decided it seems my IUD (my birth control) may have embedded itself into my body. Cool IUD, cool.

Long story short, I was pregnant with our 2nd child.

(If you didn't know this, and are upset...please don't be...We were keeping it quiet until I was further along)

Patrick's reaction was priceless. (Just for the record, mine was worse than his)

About 2 weeks ago I was diagnosed with a subchorionic hemmorage and they pretty much told me that it looked like I was going to miscarry (My IUD posed huge complications as well) & it's inevitably what happend, I had surgery on Jan. 25th with my wonderful hubs by my side (thank you marine corps!) and have been recovering ever since.  

 I've really struggled with trying to pray for understanding...but the Lord gave me peace instead... I've also realized I dont need to understand, I just need to FULLY TRUST his plan for my life and our family & tha's what I'm doing, and no it hasn't been easy...but I know that He has such great things lined up for us that it doesn't need to be.

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace." Ecc. 3:1-8

love, kels.



Back to updating Daddy!

Quick Recap:
The Sparks & MIL came to visit for Thanksgiving
My cousin Jessica just left after a 2 week visit to Oahu.

Yay for family! (These were important, didn't want to leave them out)

Im not sure how many people read this from "back home" but this blog started out updating Daddy on Aiden's life...welp, looks like were back to keeping him in the loop! So if your just reading to keep up us here in Hawaii, Apologies if I bore you! :)

1/14/12

Heather, Amy & I took the kiddos to the zoo today!

all of our kiddos

Aiden & Audri petting the goats!

Keegan & Levi :)

                                                             Can ya tell who missed nap time?

We had alot of fun :) It wasn't nearly as hott as the last time we went-which was great because aiden refused to keep his hat on.. He also lost his bink somewhere in the zoo (I know I know, well get rid of them soon) Just wanted to keep ya updated love. :)

Miss you & I love you!

Kels.



The dreaded work up.

Happy New year!

First, I admit..I totally failed with my blog these last couple of months, but I think i've been soaking up all the husband time I could - because before I knew it he left...(sigh)

He left for PTA today, which basically means he is training on the big island (Hawaii) for a couple of weeks. For those of you who forget (usually just the grandparents ;) ) we are stationed on Oahu on Marine Corp Base Hawaii 

Just wanted to throw that in there for reference, hey..I'm a visual learner..dont hate.

Anyhoo - once PTA is over then there comes CAX, which is in California (I dont think Ill post a map for this one) and that one is 6 weeks.. and then theres the big D. Gross




Wife speaking, I'm not ready for this deployment. Marine wife speaking - I've got this.

Despite what some Marine wifes say.. It's always hard to watch my husband leave, you think it would get easier with time, but Patrick and I have been together 5 years this summer and I love him more & more everyday... (well, 6 out 7, haha) so it makes sense to me that its still hard...and besides the past year it's been long distance, so I guess it makes sense - I'm no longer "used" to being apart.


I'll suck it up in a day or 2, right now I still have my cousin here to keep me company! (and my doll faced Aiden bug) but right now, I just needed to ramble!

Oh, and ill throw this picture on here to make this less sad.

all for now,
 Kels

The Blob.

Just a quick video :)

We're pretty cool parents.