A picture says a thousands words!

Softball

Growing up my favorite thing to do was play softball! I love the sport, and I have so many amazing memories surrounding the softball season. I am coaching this year now!!! I would love to play, but honestly, I think coaching will be more fun. I have no experience coaching, so this will be something new for me! Back when I played softball, I was ok, I wasn't the best. I could hit and catch, and I was pretty good, but still not great. I am hoping the old saying "those who can't do, teach". It's not that I can't do, I just was never good enough to keep up with the competition. I excepted that a long time ago, and figured, that I would coach one day, and I hope to coach my kids one day! Anyway, I am the coach for the 10-12 year old girls and I couldn't be happier! They all have little to no experience, and for most that would suck, but for me, this is an opportunity to make sure they learn how to play the right way, the way that won't cause injuries, and the way to have fun for years to come! We'll be starting from the basics, and building on that. I just couldn't be any happier, and I am glad to be getting out there, and doing something I love.

Spring Cleaning!

It's the end of March, and the weather here in Germany, has been surprisingly nice. It has been in the 60's and sunny, which is a real treat, since Germany is a lot like Washington state. We, as a family, have definitely been taking advantage of the warm weather. We have gone on bike rides, to the beach (not for swimming), and just been taking walks. Another thing that I like to do in the spring, is go through my entire house, and get rid of anything we don't need, I don't want, or the crap we have accumulated in the last year. I cleaned out the garage, and almost have it to wear I want it. I have piles of stuff that we are keeping, like holiday decorations and what not, then a pile of Army crap that needs to be sorted, and then put in tuft boxes, yard sale stuff, and stuff I am giving to my BFF, who's pregnant. I am going to drive all my stuff to post and have a yard sale in the housing area. I haven't decided when, but probably in a couple weeks. Then I will have another sale for when we PCS! I can't wait! Then we tackled our spare bedroom/computer room/mancave/everyday storage room. It's kind of the catch all room. Brandon has a TV, his XBOX 360, and a chair in there for him, then the computer desk is in there, along with stuff that we don't want in the garage because of the spiders, ie: Christmas Tree, and then we keep the vacuum cleaner, carpet shampooer, and mops in there too. The only thing left to do really is take the recycling from the spare bedroom and the garage, and drop it off at the recycling center tomorrow, when it opens. I am going to be going through Makenna's room soon too. I want to box up the babier toys that she don't really play with anymore. Then on to my bedroom. There isn't much to go through in there, but I want to get rid of clothes that Brandon and I don't wear anymore. The living room and bathrooms do not need to be gone through bc there isn't much in there, besides what goes in there. Spring cleaning is the best! I love being able to open the windows, and door to the balcony, and let the spring breeze in the house, after a long winter!

Reflecting

 
     11 months ago, almost to the exact day, I said good-bye to my husband and our friends so they could go to Afghanistan. I remember the anxiety building for months. My daughter had just turned 6 months old, and she had to be strong for a year, without her Daddy! I too, was faced with the reality of wondering not if I could do it on my own, but why do I have to do it on my own? My daughter and son deserve their Daddy! But, then I had to remember, that I am not married to just an ordinary man, I am married to a hero, one of the few, our nation counts on to protect our rights and freedoms we enjoy so much. After taking that into consideration, I didn't feel any better. All I could think about was our 6 month old baby girl, who couldn't walk, talk, or even crawl yet, was going to be completely different when Daddy comes home. She was going to be 18 months old! He missed her 1st real Christmas, where she could actually open gifts, he missed her first 4th of July, her 1st birthday, a Thanksgiving where she could actually eat turkey, and so much more! He missed the first time she crawled, the first time she walked, and the first time she said "Daddy". Even though he is home, this still makes me cry.

     In November, after a year of seeing specialist after specialist, I was diagnosed with muscle deterioration in my back, lets, and arms. I also was diagnosed with a neurological disorder, that pretty much prevents my brain from communicating with the nerves in my spine, causing obscene amount of pain, and random paralysis of the spine. After dealing with all of that, and getting my many medical questions answered, I had to figure out what I was going to do with my daughter, who couldn't walk at the time, when I can't move. After a very scary emergency trip to the hospital, and having to have the MP's break into my house, to get me in an ambulance, I realized that at 21 years old, my body was quitting on me, and I didn't know what I was going to do if I couldn't be 100% for my daughter. I was alone in a foreign country without relatives back in the states to help me, so ERODing wasn't an option. After more tests and confirmation, we found that the only medicine that is going to help me be "normal" made me sleep, so taking that wasn't an option.

     Three days before Christmas I was told that my husband was being released from theatre, so that he can come home and help me with my many appointments, and to help me, if I get to the point where I can't move again, I won't have to worry about our daughter. Being a mother, it was the hardest thing in the world, excepting that, for the time being, I am broken and I need help, which is something I never ask for! After the Army got all the paperwork done, I was reunited with my husband and our daughter with her father, on January 19, 2012.

     I am doing better, and trying new things to control the issue. My Dr. even cleared me to start doing some light physical training.

     Today, 22 MAR 12, the rest of my husband's company came back! Unfortunately 4 Soldiers were watching from heaven, but I know they were protecting them for their journey home. It was the most emotional thing ever! These Soldiers were my friends, they use to be my co-workers, and they are a part of my family. They were there from the beginning of Brandon and I, and were there when Makenna was born. Anyways, they are home safe, and I was honored to be able to photograph the Ansbach Soldier's and be apart of their homecoming, though my true love was already home.

Picture Day

     Today, we finally got to get pictures done. Makenna got her Easter pictures done this morning. She wore her Easter dress and had her Easter basket, and then she wore her raincoat and rain boots with a little skirt, it was adorable. She wore her hair down, and man, it is getting super long and it's thicker than crazy!! I love her hair though, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Then after lunch we took her to daycare, and Brandon and I got to do couples shots. I have a preview of those. We used a new photographer for Makenna's pictures, and then a photographer that I have gone to 3 times, in the past, for our couples shots. I am super excited for both! I defiantly suggests getting couples pictures done with your husband/wife because it made your relationship #1 for a little bit, when the kids, and family life, usually are the center of attention. It really got us to stop, and really look into one another's eyes without worrying about what Makenna's getting into, or if the cat is scratching something, for example. It was so nice to be just husband and wife for a couple of hours. 

Really!!!????

I write in my blog, because I like to write, I always have. If you do not like what I write, even though I do not use anyone's real names, then don't read it! I am using my 1st amendment rights! I stick by what I write, and that will never change. I have not broken any law or military regulation.

Have a nice day.

Bars and CHEATING!

After the zoo on Friday we planned to go out with a couple of friends of ours. A friend of mine watched Makenna so that we could go to dinner and then the bar. We went to Pepe's, which is a Mexican Restaurant downtown, for dinner. It was really good as usual. After eating we headed to the Irish Pub, which is a local bar. We get there, and found out that it was stripper night. About once a month, they have a couple strippers come and dance and well strip. I wasn't impressed, but whatever. We sat at the other end of the bar, and seen the "show" on a TV screen that was close to our table. Then we seen an Army Wife, who's husband is in Afghanistan, came in with man, that was not her husband. We'll call her Jenny (not her actual name). Jenny then proceeded to go by where the stripper pole is, when the strippers were taking a break, and sit down and get a lap dance by 2 other men, and make out with them. We seen the whole action on the TV, by our table. Then I decided that I needed to go to the bathroom, which is located by the stripper area. One of Jenny's friends came up to me, out of know where, and said, "I understand why your jealous, you'll lose that extra weight eventually." I did not say or do anything to them. So I went up to Jenny and said "Your husband is going to enjoy that video." We got pictures of the action. Then she wanted to walk outside, for whatever reason, and she waited to get past me to say that I was a "cunt ass bitch". I said "what are you going to do" just to get her riled up. It was so funny. I don't give to shits if she is cheating. She was busted for a DUI and had another man, that was not her husband, in the car with her. I also walked in on her husband having sex with someone in the barracks back in December 2009, so maybe they don't believe in monogamy. It's not my relationship. But this is the same woman who puts her kids in daycare for 10 hours a day, and then has them with a babysitter all weekend, so that she can party and drink. She doesn't hide it though. Her Facebook is blown up with pictures of her partying, and not too many of her kids (she has 2). She has also been warned by the Military Police, and her husband's unit, for neglecting her kids. She's that amazing! LOL! I just thought the whole thing was hilarious. Glad I am not friends with someone like that.

Zoo time!

Polar bear picture

watching the polar bears!

    Living in Germany, we find it a rare occasion that it is warm, and even rarer to have the sun shining bright! Yesterday, March 16th, my husband and I decided to go to the zoo. We had so much fun! There wasn't many people there since the German's work, so it was nice and peaceful. Makenna had so much fun with many of the animals. Her favorites consisted of the polar bears, gorilla's, penguins, and shetland pony's. She even enjoyed the  polar bears so much, that we walked by a coke vending machine and it had a polar bear on it, so she went up to it and was talking to it! It was so funny! She just had a great time! She got to run around for the most part since it was pretty dead, so I didn't have to worry about her getting lost in a crowd or anything! That was also another reason why we wanted to go when it was dead! It was so tiring on all of us. Pretty much the whole zoo is uphill, so it was quite the workout too. We picnicked in a nice area too. They have picniking spots, and then they have random picnik tables in places, so we sat at one and enjoyed sandwiches and snacks. Then we finished up our zoo fun, and headed back home. Makenna surprising did not fall asleep on the ride home, even though she was fighting it sitting in the stroller, towards the end. All in all! Makenna was great, the hubby was in an amazing mood, and I was feeling pretty good myself, even though mother nature was trying to kick my ass!!!

What's coming up in the Hetherton household

So, it seems that I am always busy, and most days run into each other, but it's about to get worse! My family and I have so much going on this spring, that I don't know what to do with myself.

1. Brandon's re-enlistment:
              We don't have know the specific date for that, but it'll be any day now
2. Finding out where we are going and when we are going there:
              We don't have a specific date for that either because that will depend on item #1
3. March 15th:
              I get all my info regarding the 10-12 year old softball team I am coaching
4. March 16th:
              Trip to the zoo and dinner with friends, and bar night
5. March 19th:
               My husband starts his first college classes and I start my last college classes!
6. March  19th:
               Makenna's 18 months/Spring/Easter pictures
7. March 21st:
               My last face-to-face class starts
8.  March 28th:
               Pay day
9. March 28th:
                I have class

April and May are starting to become busy also. Makenna has her 18 month check-up and shots on the 9th of April and we also will be getting a referral so that Makenna can go back to the eye Dr. She went to the eye Dr. back in November, and they said that she is near sited and has astigmatism in both eyes, but they wanted to wait for her eyes to develop more before putting glasses on her. If it stays the same or got worse, we will be fitting her for glasses. She is going to be so cute in glasses. I am not a fan of the idea because I don't want to cover up her big blue eyes, but it may help her so that she won't have to wear glasses her whole life. I have glasses for reading and Brandon is blind as a bat, so it may just be in her DNA. Either way, she is still going to be beautiful.

May is when I graduate. I am getting my associates degree. It definitely is exciting for me because it's another stepping stone for the rest of my life. It makes me feel like I am doing something great, and something for our future. I've been in a slump since leaving the military because I feel like I wasn't going anywhere, so school makes me feel like I am accomplishing so much. Anyways, I have a gala at the Heidelberg castle the night before. It is a black tie event. I ordered a dress online, and if I lose about 5 pounds, it'll fit perfect! The next size would of been too big, so I am just going to lose the weight and it'll be perfect. I bought black pointy toe shoes to wear with it. The gown is floor length, so the shoes won't show to much. They are simple and they match my dress, and I can wear them with other things too. Like, this Friday evening when Brandon and I leave Makenna with a friend, and we go out to dinner with another couple, and then the bar afterwards. I am going to wear the shoes with some skinny jeans, and a nice shirt. I'm getting side tracked again. The graduation ceremony is on the 5th of May. Brandon and Makenna will be in the audience watching and I am so excited to have Makenna see that I am doing something great even though I left my first career. I know there is more coming up, but I can't think of it off the top of my head.
           

How My Family Saves Money

Living off the military paycheck isn't the easiest. Contrary to popular believe the Army pay kind of sucks for the amount of work my husband actually does. It truly wouldn't be that bad if my husband worked 40 hours a week, but he averages anywhere from 80-100 hours a week. If he got paid hourly, he would only make  $1.74 an hour! Yes, they pay for our housing, which is nice, but we still don't make a lot. I make a little bit of money for our family too. I go to school full-time, and by doing that, my GI Bill pays me to go. I make about $38 a day for going to school. I only get paid for the days I am enrolled, so when we end a term and have a break, I don't get paid for that time. I'm looking for a job, but it's hard overseas because I can only work on base, and they won't hire you if you are over qualified for the position, or under qualified. I find myself stuck in between those two. I can't wait to get back to the states so that I can get hired somewhere, and not be so limited. I am hard working, and I have always worked, so the last 19 months that I have been unemployed, is killing me.

I have tried clipping coupons to use at the commissary (grocery store) but since the commissary is so small, they don't really carry the brands that I have coupons for. So occasionally I will find a coupon and save a dollar or two here and there, but nothing that is truly dramatic. Living overseas has forced me to shop online a lot, and I save the most money there, since I can't really save much grocery shopping. Have a 9 year old and a 17 month old that I am constantly having to replace clothes because my son either ruins them when he is playing (he has separate play clothes) or my 17 month old daughter, grows out of them! I like to shop at Kohls.com because they have nice things that a decent brand, and because they have stuff for the whole family, and another bonus is that they ship to overseas really quickly. So, I went online the other day and they were having a 55% off spring clothes sale for kids. Makenna needs summer clothes soon, so I started building my basket. I got shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, and capris that are normally anywhere from 15.99-42.00 each for the 55% off. Then, because I shop there often I get emails for coupons and deals, I had a free shipping coupon. That saved me 18.99 for shipping and handling. Then, I like to go to www.retailmenot.com  and they generally have coupon codes that people post on there and 9/10 times they work. Sometimes the deal has expired. But I found one that was a 30% off if you spend over $50, so I used it. Here's the break down of what I got, and how much I actually paid!

Item:                                                                 Original $:                                                   What I paid:
cupcake shirt                                                     15.99                                                          4.19
Giraffe skirt                                                       15.99                                                          4.19
Jumping shirt                                                     15.99                                                          4.19
tiered Tank                                                       15.99                                                          4.19
snit shorts                                                         15.99                                                          4.19
solid polo                                                         15.99                                                          4.19
capris                                                               15.99                                                          4.19
solid polo                                                         15.99                                                          4.19
usa tank                                                           15.99                                                          4.19
terry shorts                                                       18.99                                                          8.00
hat                                                                   9.99                                                            7.99
hat                                                                   9.99                                                            7.99
nike hat                                                           12.99                                                           9.99
demin skirt                                                      26.99                                                          13.00
sundress                                                         29.99                                                           13.00
sundress                                                         29.99                                                           13.00
snit skirt and shirt set                                      39.99                                                          15.20
carter's sandels                                              21.99                                                            16.00
swimsuit with cover                                       38.99                                                             16.00    
nautical dress                                                59.99                                                             15.00

So with adding everything up, I could of spent the entire $443.80, but instead I only spent $172! I got most of her summer clothes (she has a few already here) and they'll fit her for a while, since I got them a little big. SHOP AHEAD OF TIME, AND SHOP THE SAME PLACE OFTEN TO GET THE BEST DEALS!!

We don't just save money when it comes to clothes. We also save money by doing the little things like turning off lights, reusing. We don't use paper plates either. We also make a grocery list according to the meals I plan on cooking, and once we get to the grocery store if we see something else on sale, we will replace one of the meals on the list, and get that one. We also try to be creative about what we buy for the house. We have found in the past that we bought way to much decoration and furniture for the house, and now we have a spare bedroom full of extra furniture. So, come spring time, we will get everything together and host a yard sale of everything we do not need in the house. I try to be cheap and we wait for things to go on sale about 75% of the time, but I have to admit, that we could save more money if we cut back on eating out. My husband works a lot, so we find ourselves eating out for lunch a few days a week, and that isn't necessary, and we are starting to stop that. We need to come home and eat what is in the fridge. We bought bikes to save money on gas too. Now when it gets warmer out, we'll ride our bikes a mile to post, to do small errands, and for Brandon to go back and forth to work. We own a Jeep Commander, and it only gets 13 m/g city, and 19 m/g highway. We are not complaining, we are just finding ways for us to keep the car we love, without paying out the butt for gas to enjoy it!

Changing It Up A Bit

     Change is good. I started this blog while my husband was deployed in hopes to continue afterwards. He is home, and well, I am still "Red, White, and Left Behind" like the title, because no matter what, as long as we are a Military family, things will never be normal for us. The Army will always have to come first before family, and it's taking me a while to truly understand that, but I have too. So, with keeping with the title, I will continue to write about my Military lifestyle, but to also include things about employment, kids, and activities, because they are a major part of my life too. It will no longer focus on physically missing my husband because he is so far away, but turn into what it means to still miss him even though, he is right up the street working long hours. I am a proud Sergeants Wife and will always have the Army in my heart.

New Car

 We have been considering it for awhile now, about buying a new car. We go back and forth, and since Brandon decided to stay in the Army, where our income will stay consistent, we broke down and bought a new car. It isn't really new, but it's new to us. We decided to get a fully loaded 2008 Jeep Commander Overland. It is beautiful! It has a DVD player, 7 seats, huge cargo hold, GPS, Satellite Radio, V-8 Hemi, 4 wheel drive. It has a ton more, that's all I can think of off the top of my head. Oh yeah, it has 3 sunroofs too!!! I love it!!! And what I think I love about it the most is the fact that this is the first car Brandon and I have bought as a couple. We had a 2004 Jeep Liberty that Brandon bought a few months before we started dating. We will be buying Brandon a small truck in the states, but we can only ship one vehicle for fee, so for now, we are sharing the Jeep even though it will primarily be mine in the states.

Edelweiss in February

     Well, it's March 11th, and I just realized that I skipped the end of January and all of February! I really need to get better about keeping up with this blog. I love blogging because it relaxes me, but finding the time between life, kids, and school, is really hard.
     Well, the end of January was the same. Brandon started working in the arms room, so he worked retarded hours that made him sleep during the day. He has to go to work to hand out weapons to the patrol shifts, and then turn the weapons in at the end of each shift. Yes, it is an easy job, but man the hours are crazy! He is up at 3 am to be to work by 4, and stays until 630-7am. Then he goes back to work at noon and stays until 2-230, then he goes back to work 8pm, and stays until 1030-11. Then repeats. No days off, and no breaks really! It may not seem like a lot, but since he can only get a few hours of sleep at a time, it makes him even more tired than necessary. He is doing that until March 19th.

     We were able to get him 3 days off in February, from the 15th until the 17th, so that we could go on a mini-vacation to Edelweiss, one of our favorite places to go in Germany. It may sound familiar to you, because we have been there a few times before, and I took Makenna there for her birthday weekend celebration back in October. We had a blast. We went during the week, so our favorite restaurant wasn't opened, and they were so booked, that we couldn't get massages done like we wanted too, but it was still really nice. We got caught into a white-out snow storm on the way there, which caused a HUGE argument in the car. Brandon wanted to turn around and go home, and I didn't. We were suppose to have our new Jeep that has 4-wheel drive, which would of made it easier, but we didn't. After a normal 2.5 hour drive, and it taking us almost 5 hours to get there, we got there, and Brandon ended up saying I was right, and he was glad I didn't listen to him about turning around. We had a blast. Makenna went to daycare on the 16th, so Brandon and I could walk around the town, and enjoy the hot tub, and get some much needed husband and wife time! It was nice to not really do a lot, and we didn't really spend a lot of money, but it was relaxing, and it got us out of the house. The trip home was nice, and we didn't get bogged down with tons of snow, so it only took us the normal 2.5 hours to get home.