Alabama 101

I've been living in Alabama just shy of a month now. It has been a culture shock to me for sure. I was born and raised in Maryland. It was quite a rural area, but it was Maryland. I have also lived in Virginia, North Carolina and spent some time in Georgia. Alabama is so different. Here are a few things that I have learned about Alabama since I've been here. I haven't ventured too far from the Fort Rucker area, so there may be some much nicer areas.

1. The hot cars are Camaros and Jeep Wranglers. I'm not sure if that's more of a military thing, but I see them everywhere.
2. People who are actually from around here either talk so slow, you have a hard time focusing because you've thought of a million things you could be doing while they are taking their sweet time talking. Or, their accent is so thick, you're lucky to catch every other word.
3. There is a church on every corner and in between the corners!
4. Family Dollar and Dollar General are almost as numerous as churches.
5. There's a few Fred's Dollar Stores around here. I don't know why, but the name just cracks me up.
6. This is a typical house in this area.

*Not really typical, but I promise I took this picture! Well, my dad did using my phone. My mom and I were driving back from the biggest town around and both saw it. We both got quiet and later discovered we were both deciding if this was real, or we were just seeing things! Please, if this is your house or a family member's house, don't be offended. I've never seen anything like it!
7. Everyone that I've talked to so far who is stationed here for the military is bored out of their minds. I even overheard two woman talking at the library last week about it. One said this was her second time coming here. The other lady asked if she was happy to be back. Her reply was a simple no! It was quite funny!
8. The only grocery stores in the town where I live are called Pic-N-Save and Grocery Outlet. Can I get a Kroger, please? There is a Publix in the next town, but they do not double coupons. If you know me at all, it's killing me!
9. When asking where the closest "insert any type of store here" is even after saying you're new to the area, everyone gives me directions as if I've lived here my whole life. I am directionally challenged, I know, but a newcomer will not know where that is, people!
10. I'm thankful to be so close to my husband and see him on the weekends! I can deal with all this knowing I get to see him Saturday morning!

Holy Bible

When JJ was a tiny baby, I used to read straight from the Bible to him. He would listen intently, and it made me feel like such a spiritual mom leading my child in the right way.
Fast forward 2, 2 & 1/2 years later, LIFE IS BUSY! I'm constantly trying to find something to do to entertain JJ. I'm getting him educational things to do preschool with him. We're doing great at potty training. We're getting involved in things on post that have childcare/class for JJ. Side note, he loves going to class. This is what he calls church.
As I've been trying to be a great mom and provide the needs for my growing boy, I forgot to read the Bible to him or even tell him Bible stories. I honestly thought he would think the Bible was boring. I know that sounds awful, but I need to be honest with myself. Sometimes I look through children's Bibles, and I wish the artist has made the pictures more interesting.
Just a couple weeks ago, I was looking through his little Bible to prepare for preschool. I am planning a verse for each week and a Bible lesson to go with the theme. He came up to me and wanted to read his Bible. Guilt flooded me as I realized I have been depriving my son of God's Word. I seriously cried and cried. I read him one story thinking that was all he would want. No, he wanted to read and read and read. He took his Bible with him everywhere he went for days. I'm glad he's still young, and I can make sure to give him extra Bible time from now on!
We've also been listening to a Little People Sunday School songs cd in the car nonstop. It is his music. Whenever I turn on the radio to something else, he says, "my please". "Deep and Wide" is  his favorite song for right now. He has learned so many of the songs in a short amount of time. I even hear him singing some of them while he's playing!

It is never too late to read God's Word!

Thank You

I love hearing JJ say thank you! We have tried very hard to teach him good manners, and when he uses them, it thrills me!
A couple months back, I stopped and got him an ice cream cone on the way home. He tore that thing up! As we were walking toward the front door, he turned around, looked at me and said, "Mommy, thank you (with hands to his lips as if licking an ice cream cone) slurp, slurp." I don't know exactly how to write how he says ice cream, but it's really cute. That was one of those moments that made being his mom even more special.
We recently moved to be close to James and did not pack a pillow for him. I didn't think a pillow was a big deal to him, so I didn't really think about it. When I got his bed set up, he was very upset that he didn't have a "pippo". I let him use Daddy's, but it was too "bish". So, yesterday, we went to the store and got him a cheap pillow! He even helped me carry it in the store. When we got home, I showed it to him again. He ran to me, gave me a hug and told me, "Thank you for my pippo, Mommy!" He was squealing with delight over a $3 pillow!

It amazes me  how the small things are the things he really appreciates! As a mom, I want the best for JJ. I want him to have the toys that will give him hours of fun, the shows that will provide educational helps, nice clothes, and the list goes on... I'm pretty sure JJ will be thankful to be loved and taken care of!

Pride

  As I was driving around today, I started thinking of how proud I am of James right now. Then, I began to think of all the things I have felt proud about. It was really one of those thoughts that continued throughout the day...
  Like when I taught 4th grade, and the students would catch on to something new or use a saying I use out of the blue. When I found out I was pregnant with JJ. When we found out he was going to be a boy. The moment the dr. placed him in my arms, and he looked right up in my face as if to tell me he loved me. When James asked me to marry him, and I looked at my ring non stop! When James graduated from LU! When my sister stood up for herself. When my brother moved up in his job. Every little baby step J has made, first roll, crawl, steps... When JJ calls me Mommy. When I hear my dad preach. When my mom reached her goal! When I swipe out my military id to get a discount! When my sister pulls up in her new car! Helping James pick out clothes for his first day at a new job! Watching my man march across a field to graduate basic training for the Army! Seeing my friends and knowing they love me!
  These are the things in my life that make me swell with pride inside! I know too much pride can be a bad thing, but I think these are the things we should be proud of! I am so proud of my family! Our lives are not perfect by any means, but we are the family that God has put together! And I wouldn't trade it for the world!

 Marching across the field.

 Our little family

 JJ checking out Daddy's pin!

 JJ is so proud of his Daddy!

 Mimi (James' mom)

 Sister Sarah (what I call her) and my mom

Brother Scott (Sarah's hubs)

Little Sponge

  JJ does not miss a beat! He remembers EVERYTHING! He likes to copy what I say and do! He keeps me on my toes and laughing! Here's a few of the funny things he's done lately!

  At dinner the other night, he grabbed his bum bum and very seriously said, "My poo there. Why my poo there?" This had my mother in law and me balling! When he noticed we were laughing, he continued to talk about his poo in his bum bum!  Yes, he calls it his bum bum! I love using that word, so I taught him to say that! Don't judge, you know you think it's adorable!

  As I was walking him to his class at church this morning, we saw a woman pushing a crying baby in a stroller down the hallway. He said, "Aw baby." I asked him why the baby was crying. His response was, "Her mommy spanked her on the bum bum," while he patted his own bum bum! Ha! I doubt she got spanked as she was under a year, but the face that he thought that's why she was crying was priceless!

  As he was concentrating oh so very hard while coloring today he told me to watch him, grabbed my face and brought it right up to his paper! Then, he wanted me to help him color. As soon as my marker would near the paper, he would push it away and say, "No, help me, Mommy!" He also told me, "Me Daddy be happy me coloring!" So sweet!

  His newest thing is asking "why" to every little thing. When he was a tiny baby, it was my personal goal to never say no to him, so he would not use it against me. Now, why didn't I think to never mention why? Ha!

  At Arby's, he says to me, "Mommy, me poo poo, go with me." I asked him where we were going. He said, "Wash my poop."

  As I was sitting at the kitchen table, he rolled in the room with this! That's a hand grenade I got for him! His shades are from Arby's today!





  Frequently used phrases: no way, you coo coo crazy, you poop, I love you too, me no nap, my Daddy in the Army, why my Daddy go bye bye in the Army, I want to go my house, me play, papa juice (orange juice)

Army Friends

Before James left for basic training, he met another man who would be in his company on a facebook page. They were texting before they left and made quite a connection! Because of their connection, I was able to meet a new, sweet friend! (We haven't met in real life just yet!)

It's funny how you can feel so close to a person without ever meeting them face to face, let alone hear their voice! Jen has honestly been my rock through this whole thing! Who else would understand what it's like to have a little boy missing his Daddy, freaking out about what to wear on Family Day and graduation, miss your husband so much it brings you to tears? The list could really go on.

Next Tuesday, I get to meet my new friend, and I cannot wait! I think it will start out as a crying fest as our emotions are way out of whack right now! I hope she doesn't mind a big hug because I love giving hugs!

She has three boys, so I think they will enjoy meeting and playing with JJ!

She read my post about Batman, and her son, Charlie, said JJ needed a Batman shirt! Charlie calls his daddy, Superman and has a Superman shirt! So, they mailed JJ a Batman shirt complete with cape! He loves to wear it! He didn't know who Batman was since he has never seen it, but now he loves it! The cape makes him fly high! When he saw a Batman sign at the mall for the new movie coming out next week he said, "That my big guy!"

This is a shirt I got for me and Jen to wear! We will be twins with matching white pants!

I just happened to find this on clearance! I will be wearing it! It's just perfect! Jen will be wearing a Superman shirt. I also made us necklaces to spruce up our shirts!

Here's the first sign we made for James!

BATMAN

I had the sweetest words spoken to me by a complete stranger today! Words I didn't realize I needed 'til they were spoken. I was eating lunch at Arby's today and gave into one of their orange shakes. I had some workout clothes on and my pretty, pink "Proud Army Wife" hat. Needless to say, I wasn't looking pretty!

(This was not taken today, but this is me in the hat.)

After I put my order in the lady behind the counter told me she liked my hat. I could have just said thank you, but blabber mouth me told her that my husband is in boot camp right now. She seemed a little shocked that he went in so late. So I just told her that yes, he is an oldie going on! She asked me to tell him thank you for her. I seriously could feel the tears flowing. Then, she continued to tell me how she wishes she were a military wife. I had to ask why because right now I am just not seeing the beauty of it after being away from James for 6 weeks. Yes, you read that correct, 6 WHOLE WEEKS! She said she would love to be married to a hero! She said, "The time you have together you will cherish. Just think, you're married to a hero! That's like being married to Batman!" I told her thank you, then she had another customer ruin my sweet angels words. I know she wasn't an angel, but I know that God had her say those words to me today to encourage me! I walked away feeling so encouraged and proud!
I seriously have never been more proud of my husband! I haven't thought about him being a hero or Batman, yet anyway. Right now, I'm pretty much feeling sorry for myself for having to be away from him so long. I know in the long run, this time apart will seem like such a short time, and it will be totally worth it! I'm just thankful I was able to hear such encouraging words from someone I have never seen before!

Here's to you, my BATMAN!