Playing Catch Up

Once again it appears I slacked off on this blog, but honestly this time I have a viable excuse.  My daughter was hospitalized at BAMC last Monday for RSV and then on top of it she was diagnosed with asthma.  (I am getting to know entirely too much of this hospital).  My daughter, well she never ceases to amaze me.  She is an incredibly tough little girl.  It actually took four grown soldiers, a nurse, and myself to hold her down for her iv.  Of course it didn't help that the first time the nurse stuck her she blew her vein.  After a few sleepless nights and lots of meds we are back home.  She had a follow up appointment yesterday at Randolph Clinic and found out she has an ear infection on top of it all.  She is back to being herself.  The doctors informed me it maybe months of her slightly labored  breathing and wheezing until her lungs heal.

On another note my hubby is doing really well.  He has officially started his Med board process.  I have mixed emotions on his getting out.  Anyone who has been through this process knows this roller coaster of emotions.  We have been a part of the military life our entire marriage.  One thing I will never miss is the deployments and, the fear of not knowing where and how he is.  I am enjoying the time my kids are spending with their daddy.  Tom and I are still learning new things about each other, one of the stressful joys of a military family.  We are exciting about finally purchasing a place of our own, but honestly have no idea where we want to go (well he knows where he wants to go).  I miss my friends, and the life style I had become so accustomed to.  Yes, I know he's not out yet, but part of me as already decided we will be moving again soon, so why waste the time making new friends that I will just be saying goodbye to.  Okay I admit it that's a bit of a pity party statement, but it is true.  We won't settle here in San Antonio, this I do know.  Tommy desperately wants to be close to his family and quite frankly I do too.  

We both have started back to college.  I can't remember if I have mentioned this or not.  I am going through Brighton College for my Medical Coding and Billing Certification and then I plan to do my Associates in Business Management for Health Care providers.  While I work and wait for a good RN program to open up.

And for those wondering TJ is doing really well!  He is making friends left and right, and loves to go outside and play with them.  His reading has increased by leaps and bounds, and he is at that curious stage where he is driving me cuckoo with the Five W's. My baby boy is growing up so fast.  It's hard to believe he will be graduating Kindergarten really soon.  His teacher Mrs. Hodges is great with him, which is why I entered her for the Teacher of the Year award on San Antonio's 105.3 Magic.  I am trying to show my appreciation more for those around my family and I.

Okay so now I want to try something new.  It is my goal to find one military member or relative each week to do a guest post for my blog with stories, advice, or whatever.  I just want to get as much helpful information on this blog as possible.  If you are interested in this please contact me.

Monday's featured blog Hop

Songs I am listening to today:

Pay it Forward - take 2

I must say I love all the comments I have been getting recently on my blog.  Let's not forget all of the new followers...WELCOME!  Last Saturday I posted about doing a Pay It Forward Project.  I am hoping that by reposting this I may inspire some more people to join this great project.  I need to get back to schoolwork, but I promise to get caught up with all the posts and new followers on Monday.

One more quick note when we hit 100 followers I will be doing a giveaway.

Aloha Friday

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday. In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too.

Therefore, Kailani has a simple question for us to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response. If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link below. Then return to An Island Life  and post your answer to her question in her comments.  Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

About the author:
Kailani is the owner and founder of An Island Life. You'll find her sharing her daily life as a mother to 3 wonderful daughters, working as a flight attendant, and living a blessed life in Hawaii. She is also the founder of the group review site - Family Review Network. Follow along on her adventure of a lifetime this Winter as a member of the Vaseline Dry Skin Patrol! 

I started back to school yesterday for my Medical Coding and Billing certification.  This is a short term goal compared  to various other goals I have created for myself in the medical field.  Let's just say I want to be able to handle all of the office work, as well as being a Registered Nurse (maybe one day a doctor).  It is my belief that as long as I am able to afford it I will further my education in the field of Health-care.  After my medical coding and billing I am going to get my Associates in Business Administration for Health Services while working towards my BSN for my RN at the same time.    My motivation has always been my love of helping others, but I now have a new motivation too.  When I saw friends being killed and then my husband being injured it made me realize that my lifestyle may appear stable, but anything can change that.  If anything, God forbid, ever happens I want to be able to take care of my family.

My question for you is (be sure to leave your answer in my comments):

What are you currently working towards?

Thursday Blog Hops!

It's time to get hoppin'!  Have fun and be sure you leave me a comment if you are a new follower!

Here is another!

More Blog Hops!!!

Not So Wordless Wednesday

 

Since in the past week we have celebrate Tom's and Elaine's Birthdays I figured I should share a picture of them with their cakes.  Elaine's was my first attempt at a marshmallow fondant and Tom's had to be sugar-free (Yep, I failed).

Elaine wanted Tinkerbell and as you can see I tried my best, but due to the humidity the fondant cracked all over.  My solution was to try piping for the first time.  LOL Can you say the next cake on Cake Wrecks.  Well... the top layer was a Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake that I found at Vanilla Bean Baker's Blog (I only did half the recipe), and the bottom layer was a Homemade Strawberry Cake from A Dash of Sass.  I cheated on the buttercream icing I used to crumb coat and just used store bought.  Oh yeah did you know McCormick makes Neon Food Coloring?  Yep you guessed it that's what I used in my Marshmallow Fondant, and I loved it!  The recipe for the marshmallow fondant came from Cake Journal.

Tommy bless his soul was told by his doctors to cut all sugar from his diet.  So I was trying to follow the rules, but I know how much he loves chocolate and I figured a little wouldn't hurt.  (He gave all the candy from his slice to the kids).  I used a Sugar-free Devil's Food cake mix from Pillsbury.  For the icing I used Kraft Sugar-free Cool Whip.  It is edged with Kit Kats and topped with M&M's.  Looking at the photos I will definitely have to do this cake again and clean up the edges.

Happy Wordless I mean Not-So Wordless Wednesday!

Link up your "Wordless Wednesday" at

Coupon Binder Sale and Giveaway from MySLCmommy

I am on a roll!  If you coupon or you are thinking about it you need to check out this giveaway! Head over to www.myslcmommy.com to find out more but here is some of her post from her site.

Coupon Binder on Sale + Giveaway!

Giveaway Ends January 30th at 11:59 p.m.

I have been in the market for a new coupon binder for awhile now because mine is just falling apart.  The zipper gets snagged all the time.  I recently figured out it zips backwards.  I have had my eye on the Save at Home Mommy Coupon Binder for a few weeks now.  Guess what!  It went on sale.  I was so excited.  I purchased mine last night.  Here is short video of everything it has.  (I love all of the thought she has put into this.  I can't wait for mine to get here.  I ordered purple.)

Now that you have seen how amazing this is.  Let me tell you how you can purchase one.  Right now you can get the binder and the items inside for only $23 + $7 shipping.  Kerri is only selling 23 at that price.  (I bought mine already so she has 22 more left at the price)  Then she will sell the next 25 for $25.  After that they go back to full price.  If you don't need the binder and just want the stuff inside it is $12.99.  Head over to her site to get yours. 

For more details and to enter her giveaway you have to go to her site.  Hurry! 

VALENTINE'S DAY Giveaway @ Musings-By-Michele

VALENTINE'S DAY Giveaway  @ Musings-By-Michele

$50 Gift Cert. to Just Paper Roses 

I entered and now it is your turn to head over to Musings-By-Michele and enter.  Here is what she has to say!

 Wow, is it really almost the middle of January?  Before you know it February will be here and with February brings the daunting task of shopping for the perfect Valentine's Day gift. We all want to give and receive the perfect gift, straight from the heart. Are you considering candy or flowers for that special someone? If you are you may want to read a few of my friendly tips before you head out to start your shopping.

Do you know what the number one New Year's Resolution was? If you said, lose weight or eat healthier, you were right. So here is the first big hint - NO CANDY, it goes straight to the thighs, definitely not the way to a woman's heart. What about fresh flowers, those would probably be a good choice, right? WRONG - fresh flowers won't last long, they eventually die and are gone forever.

Are you ready to throw out the traditional gift ideas and show up with the best gift of all, a gift that will last for years to come?  I know just the place to start Just Paper Roses ® . Jeff Block, owner extraordinaire has a large selection of unique and special Valentine's Day gifts to meet all of your shopping needs.

An extremely popular item that sells out quickly is their "I Love You from Top to Bottom" Toilet Paper . The perfect expression of I LOVE YOU imprinted for all to see. Your special someone needs to know their thought about always, no matter where you go. I received a roll of this special toilet paper as the product for my review. It is definitely a one of a kind item. Lots of giggles and musings were shared over the "unwrapping" of the roll. The roll came professionally wrapped with a gift tag attached. This extra touch really makes the gift receiver feel special. "Let the good times roll"

Don't forget Valentine's Day isn't just for women. The men in your life need a special gift too, one they will be proud to display and share with the rest of the world. He will be the talk of the office when you pick something from the "Gifts for Him"  section of the website. JustDeskRoses™ are the perfect way to say, "I Love You"

We have a great giveaway to go along with this review. A $50 gift certificate to shop at Just Paper Roses ® . Along with Valentine's Day Gifts you will find a large selection of roses dedicated to Anniversary, Birthday, Golfers, Weddings and more. Are you ready to get shopping? Giveaway open to US/Canada. Shipping to APO/FPO Military Addresses is FREE.

Giveaway!!!

This is an absolutely wonderful giveaway and it is my opinion you should stop reading my blog and head over there now to enter...you can come back when your done.  :)  Bouffe e Bambini is hosting this wonderful giveaway!  She has a sweet little handcrafted shop to show you today!!!  And here is what she has to say: Meet PETUNIAS'At PETUNIAS' you will find all kind of adorable handmade things like reusable snack bags, bibs, adorable pillows, blankets, key fobs and paci clips. You can even get things personalized with monograming.Here's a little *PEEK* at some of the things you'll find at PETUNIAS'

Shop owner Kelly was so generous and sent me one of her adorable owlet pillows for my Ginger's nursery AND she has offered to give you one too!!! ****G*I*V*E*A*W*A*Y******* She is giving one of you lucky readers the chance to win this adorable little owlet pillow!!! Look how cute your prize is!!!

Thoughts of Tuesday

So things are starting to settle down around here, but now I have to play catch up.  The house is a mess I am behind on laundry and my to do list is growing quickly.  So here we go again a 20 random things for Tuesday post!

Songs I like today








I couldn't get this one to embed.  :(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmTaLvVtvtE&ob=av2el

Favorite Pictures

  

Favorite Blogs

The Meanest Mom

K. Tree, CNA

Army Wife Blogger

Raising Ruby


To Do

Grocery Shop at HEB

Go to the Library (This is one of my favorite places,m and I have yet to check ours out).

Finish Paying Bills- Such joy I tell you!

Try My CAA again. - Yep that's right I am still having problems with it.

Okay so it is time to get back to work.  Leave me a note you know how I love them.  Later people!

Tuesday Blog Hops

Blog Hop - also known as blog hopping, is to move from one blog after another to read the entries or to leave comments.

Who wants some more blog hops?  Well, here you go.  Be sure you read the rules on each host blog.

If your my newest Follower, Thank You, please leave me a comment with your blog URL and I will follow you back!

If you know of any more please let me know.