Irene Video

Nice Surprise

This afternoon I missed a phone call from my friend, Sandra, while I was busy cleaning the inside of our car. She left a message saying she was at a family fun center just down the street from me. I phoned her back, but there was no answer. I decided that since Tyler and I had nothing planned for the remainder of the afternoon that we would meet her and the kids there. We had never even heard of the place before, so I thought we would check it out. Tyler had no clue where we were going and it was fun surprising him. When we arrived, Sandra and the kids were already gone, but we decided to stay and check the place out. The place was brand new, clean, and it wasn't overly crowded. Tyler had a blast on the inflatables, driving on their mini 4 wheelers, and playing the bean bag toss. Now that the pool will be closing soon and the weather will gradually get cooler, I think we found our new hang out.
Steve Update: Steve's ship arrived in El Salvador. They will be there for 4 days. However, Steve isn't too excited about the port visit because it's not in a very safe area and they have strict limits where they are allowed to go. There may be a community relations project that involves painting a park across from the mayor's home.

Irene has left the Area

We are extremely happy to report that we are now back home in Chesapeake, Va and we even have power. This morning we left our hotel that still was without power. There were many large trees uprooted and several telephone poles laying on the ground along the Interstate. When we got home we were expecting to have some damage to our other car or apartment, but thankfully there was none. We spent starting from yesterday afternoon until the time we left the hotel without power. Our friends/neighbors, Jane and Freddy, along with their kids were great company. Tyler and Alexandria played together the whole time. The hotel treated us well with bringing out a popcorn machine in the lobby and providing a room for the kids to run around in. We lived on peanut butter sandwiches, fruit, and bottled water. It was a long weekend and we are quite exhausted. It's good to be back home and sleep in our own beds tonight. So long, Irene! Can't say it was good to meet you. LOL Here are some photos from the storm:

Watching a movie together.

We watched this Hardees get blown down from the wind. It was across the street from our hotel.

Damaged roof from the hotel next door. The photo is because because it was taken from inside our rainy window.

We watched these two trees get blown from the wind all day from our hotel room and this morning they had a permanent lean to them.

Fallen tree in the hotel parking lot. The hurricane damage truck was parked behind it. LOL

Power trucks ready to roll.

Saw this damaged garage on the drive home.

Hello Irene

We're now experiencing the effects of Irene. It is raining and the wind has picked up. We're hoping we don't lose the power. Meanwhile, Tyler and I are all cozy in our hotel room playing games on the computer, watching the storm from our window, and keeping an eye on the hurricane news. Back home in Chesapeake, Virginia, a tornado warning has been issued.

Safe & Sound

Just a note to let you all know that Tyler and I have evacuated the area. We originally were going to stay with my friend Tina and her family, but when we heard conditions were going to worsen, we decided to seek a safer area. Our friends/neighbors asked if we would like to follow them to a hotel in North Carolina. We arrived late last night in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina. I will update you as I am able. Please keep all us East Coasters in your prayers. The hurricane is suppose to go right over our area in Norfolk.

Exchange of Sailors

Yesterday Steve's ship participated in a personnel exchange. 4 Canadian sailors swap with 4 US sailors. They will spend a couple days on each other’s ship. The Navy does it all the time. The purpose is to build teamwork and foster friendships. They get to experience how other sailors live and better understand their partners. The Canadian sailors came from HMCS Algonquin. Royal Canadian Navy destroyer.

Earthquake?!

If you haven't read or seen the news yet, you might not be aware that Virginia experienced a 5.8 magnitude earthquake this afternoon.The quake was big enough that it was felt all the way up to Fredericton, New Brunswick in Canada! The crazy thing is that even though it originated here in Va, Tyler and I didn't feel a thing. We were in the movie theater (the same theater that we were in when my mom was here and we had that big storm that knocked out our power for 12 hours), and I checked Face Book before the movie started. I was shocked to read all the of status updates from my friends who live in the area, Maryland, West Virginia and New Jersey who were talking about the quake they just felt. When Tyler and I returned back home to our apartment, everything was untouched except for our wind Venice mask that was slightly titled, however that may have already been like that from before. Upon texting my neighbor, turns out our building had a little shake, enough to scare her. I'm thankful Tyler and I were not home at the time. Well, that was our excitement for the day. You just never know what the day will bring, do you? LOL

Artwork for Diane

We have a friend who just joined the Navy and is doing boot camp. We figured she could use some mail to let her know we are thinking of her and how excited we are of her new career, so Tyler drew some pictures especially for her. I gave him 3 sheets of paper and this is what he produced:

Tyler said this one is of a girl in the city. She is going to the ATM with $4 in her hand.

This one is a farm. There is a duck in a pond to the left. A horse is to the right.

And this one is of the beach. A palm tree is to the right.

Veggie Lover

Salads are still his #1 favorite meal.

Strike

Like last summer, I signed Tyler up for free summer bowling. Today we had a great time bowling with Tina and her boys, Cameron and Casey. The boys bowling skills were very impressive with even a quite a few strikes scored by each of them. Tyler showed us his muscle strength by using the 13 pound ball. LOL It had been awhile since we hung out and it was so nice spending the afternoon together. We are already planning to get together next week for some more bowling fun. Tyler and I are quite excited!!! Oh, and also fun today was Tyler and Casey wearing their "twin shirts". They looked like they belonged in a bowling league. LOL

Happy Birthday, Yasuko

How lucky am I to have one of my best friends have their birthday exactly one week away from mine. Today, however, we decided to do a little pre-celebrating to get things started. Yasuko and Yuki came over this morning. We ate lunch together, Yasuko opened her presents, and then we headed off to to the mall to check out the new tea store to buy some tea for my new Bodum tea pot she gave me for my birthday. Afterwards, we took the kids to the play place. Dinnertime was soon approaching so we came back for Yasuko's birthday dinner, which was margherita pizza and my Canadian spinach salad with maple dressing. For dessert, I surprised her with a cake I made especially for her. It was a fantastic day and I am so blessed to share it with such a great friend. Happy Birthday, Yasuko!!! :)

9th Wedding Anniversary

9 years ago today I married my "bestest friend" and even though we can't be together today, we only have a month away before Steve comes back home from his deployment. There isn't a day that goes by that both Steve and I thank God for bringing us together and for blessing us with such a wonderful family. We love our life together and as time goes by it is only going to get better. Here's to 9 of the best years of our lives and to our continued happiness.

Tyler Says the Darndest Things

Tyler: "Mom, when you say 'Never say never', you actually say 'never'."

Jumping for Joy

Tyler had been asking to go to Kangaroo Jacs ever since the summer started, and yesterday I finally surprised him with a trip to his favorite house of inflatables. We met Yasuko and Yuki there and the two boys had a blast jumping for over 3 and a half hours!!! See below for a Steve update.

Steve Update: Here is Steve's ship, USS Thach, at the Bridge of Americas (North America on the left, and South America on the right) going through the Panama Canal. They are participating in an exercise called Panamax. Almost a month until they are finally home. Go to Navy.mil for Steve's story. They published his story on the front page. Click HERE to read it. :)

My Birthday

It was hard to believe another year had passed and it was time to celebrate another birthday. Tyler wanted to make me a birthday cake. So with a little assistance, he did an awesome job. It was the best birthday cake I had ever had because it was made with lots of care and love.

In the afternoon, we headed over to the pool because they were having a strolling magician come to visit. It was really cool! He came to everyone individually with his table and performed some really amazing tricks. At first, Tyler was really shy, but afterwards he couldn't get enough. LOL We even learned a trick to show Daddy when he returns. Soon Yasuko and Yuki joined us at the pool and as soon as the magician left, (Tyler wanted to stay and watch the whole thing), we went back to the apartment where we got changed to go out for dinner. While I was in my bedroom getting changed, I could hear Tyler performing magic tricks for Yuki. LOL

Yasuko and Yuki surprised me with a birthday present. They gave me the most awesome gift ever, a Bodum tea pot. Steve and I had one and it broke. Yasuko loves tea as much as I do and we are excited to hit the new tea store that just opened up. Anyway, we then went to dinner at La Bella Italia. So many people have told me about this fabulous Italian restaurant and it exceeded my expectations. The food was incredible!!! I decided on gnocchi for my birthday dinner. We finished dinner and came back to the apartment where Yuki and Tyler played until way passed their bedtimes while Yasuko and I talked. It was a fabulous birthday spent with great friends and what made it even better was that I got to chat with Steve a few times during my special day because his ship just arrived in Panama City, Panama.

 

Recharging My Batteries

The other day I received an e-mail from my friend, Wendy, asking if I would like to bring Tyler over to play with her boys while I took some time for myself. I asked if she was sure she wanted to look after Tyler and she said she was 100% sure. Ever since Steve's deployment started, and especially now that school is over, Mommy Time only happens for a couple of hours at night after Tyler goes to bed. And at that time I'm too tired to do much of anything except veg on the sofa. So, this afternoon after I dropped Tyler off, I headed to the nearest Dunkin Donuts for a drink and spent my time reading a magazine for a couple of hours. I am truly thankful for Wendy's help and kindness as I really enjoyed my Mommy Time. Afterwards, she invited me to stay for pizza. It was an awesome day overall. Thank you so very much, Wendy!!! :) It was very much appreciated.

Tyler Does and Says the Sweetest Things

Tyler kisses me on the cheek once, gives me a "zerbert" (a blow on the cheek with a loud sound), and then gives me another kiss on the cheek. Then he said, "That's a kiss sandwich, Mom." :)

Two Thumbs Up

This morning we went to the new Winnie the Pooh movie. Together with Brady, Kyle and Wendy, we watched as Winnie the Pooh and the rest of the gang try and find Eeyore a new tail to replace the one that had gone missing. The movie was a lot of fun and we enjoyed it a lot. After the movie was over, we headed back to our place where the boys played for a bit before hitting the pool. Also, to my surprise Wendy gave me an early birthday gift. It was super sweet of her to do that. :) I was totally surprised when she handed me the gift bag. Inside was yummilious Godiva truffle chocolates and a beautiful pen and paper set. Thank you so kindly for the beautiful gifts, Wendy!!! I am so very thankful for your friendship and that our boys are best buddies. :)

Freeze!!!

We certainly didn't "freeze" today in our above 90 degree weather, however we did take part in a mom's club tour of the Chesapeake Police Headquarters. Yasuko was invited by one of the members to go on the tour and Yasuko asked me if I would like to join them as well. I thought it might be fun for Tyler to go see the operations of a police department, however I think it was more exciting for the moms than the kids. LOL Us moms had all kinds of questions, meanwhile the kids seemed bored. Oh well, you can't win them all. It was something different to do for a change.

Hit Play and Move Away from the Screen...

Hope he didn't get you too wet. LOL

This t-shirt cracks me up. LOL

Just Ducky

Garden Fun

The three musketeers were on the scene today at the Botanical Gardens. Wendy asked if we would like to join them for a fun day at the kids area of the gardens. We had only been to the gardens one other time with my mom last year, but at that time I wasn't even aware they even had a children's play place.

It was going to be another hot day, so taking the boys to the splash pad was our main objective. We took the tram to get to the World of Wonders section of the park where the splash pad was located. Once there, the boys ran around and had an awesome time getting soaking wet.

It wasn't long, however, before the boys wanted to explore the surrounding areas. So, we left the splash pad and checked out some really cool places including the dirt factory where the boys spent a good amount of time pumping water to wash their pretend veggies. We also saw lots of interesting plants growing in the garden that are native to different parts of the world.

During our tram ride to the World of Wonders, we passed by some really cool mazes that are part of the summer outdoor exhibits. We were quite excited to go back and check these out. So, we got back on the tram and then walked back to some of the mazes. The boys had a blast running through them and trying to find their way out.

By this time, it was past lunchtime and our bellies were telling us that they needed some food. So, we got back on the road and went to a pizza place for lunch. Overall, it was a fantastic day with with our good friends. Thanks again for inviting us Wendy and the boys. We look forward to our next adventure with you all.

Taco Night

The other day we were discussing Mexican food and so Yasuko suggested we should have a taco night. Of course, I'm all for eating good food and especially having company over for dinner. I provided the cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes, while Yasuko provided the shells, meat, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, and avocado. This was the first time I had tacos with the works and I couldn't believe how tasty it was. The kids had a blast making their own and Yasuko and I enjoyed each other's company. We are definitely planning on having another taco night. Mmmm...I sooo can't wait!!!

Poolaxin'