I swear, i'm getting better...

Well, I know I keep saying that i'm going to get better at posting more often, but I think that will be a true statement once Chad deploys. I've been super stressed latley, and have had my mind on other things.

First off, I have been dealing with MYCAA about paying for my Dental Assisting program, and it's no issue, they cover the school I'm going too, but they don't like to help much more than that.

I called the school I'm trying to enroll in, and they don't know their school code, or what how to find out what it is...thanks for the help!

So, I call MYCAA, hoping that they will know...but no such luck...So after calling the school about 4 million times, as well as MYCAA, I finally recieved my answers.

And after all that stress, guess what? I CAN'T EVEN USE IT UNTIL 30 DAYS FROM THE START DATE OF THE PROGRAM. Thanks for the head's up Military One Source, you're the best.

So I inform the school of my delima, and they aren't sure what to do because you can only have like 12 people in this program. AWESOME.

Enough about that-

My Grandpa passed away late last night, totally took my whole family by surprise. We thought he was getting better, but last night things just took a turn for the worse. I can't believe that he is actually gone. I've sat here all day in disbelief, and worried about my Grandma. I talked with her briefly today, but not much was said.

 I'm not 100% on if we are able to make the funeral services because Chad is deploying next week, and they keep changing his date. Thanks right?

Well, tonight we went bowling, hoping to get my mind off some things but it didn't seem to work. All I could think about was all the memories I've had with my Grandparents. When I was like 12, we took a roadtrip ALL the way to Canada, and at the time, all I could think was, why am I in the car with all these old people? Now, that's something i'll remember forever.

 My Grandparents always wore matching sweater's during Christmas. One would say "naughty" and one would say "nice"...they would switch every year...who's going to be the other matching sweater?...

Grandpa would always yell at me for having my elbow's on the table, or for talking and texting on my cell phone at the table...

I remember last 4th of July, we had a cookout at my Grandparents house and Grandpa completley fried all the food, and we all still ate it =)

I could go on for hours about all the things I remeber about him, but not right now..maybe another time.

For now- R.I.P Grandpa Kinji. We love you and miss you so much. We will keep Grandma sane down here, I promise. Look over Chad during this upcoming deployment, keep him safe Gramps....Tell my daddy I love him...=)

Does it ever stop raining here?

Well, today marks like the 4th day in a row that it has rained at night. Imagine that. But tonight, it wasn't a normal storm that we are used too, it was like a hurricane. The trees were bent all the way over, it was pretty cool. =)

We went to our friends, Ashley and Aarons little brothers BBQ this afternoon. Had some delicious ribs and FRESH organic corn! First for everything right?

We played family feud on DVD as well as scene it.

All in all, it was a great day.

I do have 1 big project for during the deployment that my friend Ashley did for her husband their last deployment.

Basically, it's a book full of pages from every day that he was gone, written from their son. (He was only a few months old, so Ashley obviously wrote it!) Anyways, she would write what they did that day, and include a few pictures on the back of the page. Then, every few packages or so, she would send them to him and sent a binder for him to put them in order. So he would never go a day without seeing his son. I thought this was a super cool idea, and i'm jumping on the bandwagon! I'll be sure to update and let you know how it's going =)

Tomorrow's agenda: More packing, need to get baby food and formula, and of course the never ending cleaning and laundry!

Been just a tad busy these days.

I promise that when Chad deploys, i'll have more free time to post on here. But lately my focus has been altered just a tad bit.

In great news- My Mommy will be here on July 8th! Just in time to be with me when Chad deploys. I've always been nervous about having family or friends for a homecoming or going away, because it's such an emotional time that you just are all over the place with emotions. But, since we are moving back to TX when he leaves, my mom will help with the drive also!

Well, we had to go to a pre-deployment fair a few days ago, got some great information for during the deployment and after the deployment! This unit has been 10 times better then our last unit about relaying information to families, and giving us great resources if needed! I approve! While we were there, we talked with the leaders of the "Crazy Horse" FRG, and I let them know that I wanted to get involved as much as possible, even though I am going back to TX. They were very nice, and took down all my information and said that I should be getting an email from them!

Other than that, we have been busy packing and cleaning packing and cleaning latley. I went and gave our housing our move out notice, and we have a pre-inspection on the 7th, move out on the 9th. Crazy! So that means, we have a lot of stuff to do before then!

Yesterday, we went swimming and had a lot of fun! We didn't stay long- 1 because it always rains at night in GA, and 2- Aubree was getting sleepy, and no one likes a cranky baby! Turns out we left just in time before the storm hit us, but we still had fun...

We also went out to dinner with some friends, to Buffalos. It was decent, but not a resturant i would go to a lot. We even went bowling afterwards! What an eventful day it was. Chad even let me sleep in this morning! I slept until 11 30. WOW! Who does that any more? Apparently I do because I was SO tired!

Can i get a break?

Well, I haven't posted in a few days, been sidetracked with the upcoming Deployment.

To start this morning off, I already need a break. I was woke up this morning to Chad telling me the exact day he was deploying, which didn't help to start my morning. I'm happy that he knows for sure, so i can really prepare, but at the same time I wish that he never had to go.

Well, Aubree woke up about 30 minutes after he left for work, ate a bottle and decided to destroy everything I was cleaning.So i put her in her highchair, let her eat some snacks and hang out. It didn't last long, she was ready for a nap already. I think she's going through a growth spurt.

I have been super busy with my bowmaking, if you were wondering.

In other news, my Mom is trying to find a plane ticket to come out a few days before Chad deploys to help me with the baby, and getting back to TX. It'll be a big help, physically and emotionally. 

I just pray this next year flys bye.

Happy Fathers Day!

Well, today was Chad's first Fathers Day! We didn't do anything to special, just hung out and enjoyed our time together.

We started out this morning with a few cards and ran to Walmart to get a few things. It was surprisingly the emptiest I have ever seen that place on a Sunday! But, we did get some cupcakes for Chad, and a few other things, mainly to clean up for our move out soon!

I did however have a little bit of time to make some bows! 

I am slowly getting the hang of it, and am enjoying it very much!

In other news- I need to start packing this week. Chad leaves in just a few short weeks, and we are moving back to TX, meaning we have to pack up and clean AGAIN! The Army has it's way of complicating things for sure.

Bowmaker and a Surprise Baby Shower...

Well, it seems like it has been a century since yesterday afternoon...

Good news- My bowmaker has arrived, and I LOVE it! It's really not as complicated as I thought it may be, just is going to take a little practice. I'll post some pictures of the bows I have been working on tomorrow...

Other news- Friday night we headed down to Savannah after I got the bowmaker to get some ribbon so I could start right away! We had to head out that way anyways because of a Platoon party to celebrate LT Pepple's promotion to CPT! We had a good time, played some washers and had a few drinks, talked and hung out! It was super hot though...and it's not like TX heat, it's horrible.

In other news- we went to a surprise baby shower for our next door neighbor today. It turned out great, and she was super surprised! She originally didn't even want a baby shower, but all of her friends insisted that she did! She is due on July 22 (Chad's birthday) with a little girl, Hailey and I'm excited! I love babies!

 Kelsea's Mother in Law made her cake!

She was super excited about the bed time bath stuff we got her =)

And look how adorable Miss Aubree was 

Even the guys got to chug beer from a baby bottle!

All in all, we had a great time! But, it's so late and I shouldn't stay up and play on here, I need some rest! Congrats to Kelsea and Cody! We can't wait to meet baby Hailey!

A trip to Savannah, and the Lakers game 7!

Yesterday was a pretty good day, nothing spectacular, but just a good day. =)

I did however recieve something in the mail i've been waiting for, for a little bit! 

The Blanket for Deployed Daddies!

Ours is white and more girly, but i can't find my camera charger to take a picture! 

Basically, the daddy sleeps with it for 7 days and it hold's his scent for several months so baby doesn't forget his scent and will still know him when he gets home! After the scent wears off, then you send it back to Iraq and daddy sleeps with it again for 7 days, and so on...

I think they are pretty cool, Chad says other wise, but guess who's sleeping with the blankie? 

We also went to Savannah last night, (a 30-45 minute drive) to go to the mall and get a few things from Target. Can you believe we have to drive that far to the closet mall, let alone a Target? That's crazy! I will sure be happy when we get back to TX, there is a 2 Targets within 15 minutes of where we are staying! I like live at Target!! While we had dinner at Texas Roadhouse, Aubree ate some peach cobbler and peas, and decided that she wanted a side of table to go along with her dinner...

yummy.

Well after that, we headed home and had our friends Ashley and Aaron over to watch Game 7 of the NBA Finals! Well, and since my Mavericks obviously weren't playing, I was going for the Lakers! And they won! Congrats Lakers!

Another day down.

Well, another day down, meaning 1 day closer to deployment =(

I've had some really mixed feelings about the whole situation...on one hand I'm ready to get this show on the road because that means it's closer to the end.

But on the other hand, I just want to keep him here forever. I don't want him to miss out on Aubree's life, and watching her grow up, and miss so many of her milestones. 

We have decided that Aubree and myself are moving back to Dallas while Chad deploys, mainly to be around family during such a tough time. I plan on going back to school as well, which I need help with someone to watch the baby while i'm gone....who know's though. 

Enough of the sad stuff...

I made a really yummy Spaghetti Casserole with Garlic, Herb and Cheese bread for dinner, YUMMY!

I can for sure say that will be made again in the Manis household! 

Other good news- My bowmaker has been shipped and should be here on Friday! YAY! I'll be sure to post a lot of pictures as soon as I start to make them, it looks super easy!  

New Hobby...

Well, I have been looking into buying a bow maker kit for a little side hobby, and well to create all the hair bows I want for my little princess, friends and family!

You can get them here

I'll be sure to update when it get's here and I start the hair bow making madness!

=)

New to this whole thing...

So, i am pretty new to this whole Blogging thing, but i thought i would give it a shot. I am mainly doing this because my husband is set to deploy in a few weeks, and i want him to be able to keep up with us when he is overseas. 

So i guess to get started, i'll introduce My Family.

Jennifer, Chad and Aubree

This is us, in June 2010.

Chad re-enlisted in December of 2009 and we decided to pack up and head to Fort Stewart, GA

Chad and CPT Wanja

We are currently stationed at Fort Stewart in Hinesville GA, and I am loving every minute of it here, well except the heat. But, living only 1 hour from the beach helps out with all the super hot day's quite a bit. 

Jekyll Island

Even Aubree enjoyed the beach!

Chad's new Unit (3ID) has been nothing but amazing with everything. He is home every day by 4:00 PM, and for all my fellow wives from Fort Hood, thats a huge change right there. 

He is scheduled to finally get his CPL sometime very soon, and I am super proud of him.

There are a lot of little things here and there that has been going on, but I just wanted to get a basis for this whole thing. =)