What Does a Marine Family Do During the Holidays?

We shoot each other. But of Course!

Yes, it's February and I'm writing about the 2010 holiday season.

As our family grows up and adds in-laws, and soon grandchildren. We thought it would be fun to add some traditions.

It doesn't have to always be the same tradition, but one that involves an activity of some kind to make memories and have family members work together. Or play together. And take pictures of course!

This year we had a Christmas Day Nerf War. The Marine and I were on opposite teams. We set up and played capture the flag. It was the Son-in-laws idea. On his mission he shared how he and other Elders (the title our missionary goes by, like Elder Smith, Elder Jones etc) would play capture the flag. He laid down the rules, some of which I followed. Some of which I guess I didn't hear clearly. There were certain areas of the building we didn't play in. So some areas were off limits.

Either way my team beat the Marine's team several times! I was giddy with victory! Only to get assaulted repeatedly by the Marine's team every chance they got. I was targeted. I know I was.

I grabbed their "flag" one time and ran around the building to the other side screaming "I got it, I got it" only to find out we were in a time out. The Marine was working on a jammed weapon. Everyone just looked at me and said "WE ARE NOT PLAYING RIGHT NOW". Both teams said this. I was sad.

I said, yeah but if we were I WON I WON!

Well no one told me. But it makes sense now why I wasn't challenged. And oh how I ran... it was thrilling!

There were claims several times of cheating. I explained AGAIN that I wasn't cheating... I just didn't quite understand the rules. The Son-in-law obviously had a communication issue with me and the Marine, well he's just mean and always accuses me of manipulating something or bending the rules, or making them up as I go. So. I'm the mother.

Muwahahahahaahahahahah

Let's just say my team kicked booty! And looked good doing it!

Check out my weapon. I know it's mine because as of the time this picture was taken, I was the only Mommy. Next year I will have to be Grandmother, or if MY mom is playing, well, I will have to be Grandmother 2 or something.

This picture was really for The Marine. I had just shot him. I think he enjoyed it. Not sure, but why wouldn't he. Although now looking at this picture I see somewhat of what might be considered a crazed look in my eye.

My girls. They were both on The Marine's team. I had the other boys. I think they were discussing strategy.

Or maybe they were plotting. Or discussing different ways to wear the latest Nerf accessory. You can see baby poking out a little! Let's all take a moment to sigh. Recruit One is so tiny that baby has no room! She is going to be a big round belly with arms and legs sticking out by July!

The Marine got a remote helicopter. It came with us too so he could have a safer place to fly it rather than my house! He now flies it in the house and when I am sitting in my chair working, he hovers over me and tries to land it on me. It's annoying. I pretend like I don't know he's dive bombing me. It is only hard to ignore when the hovering mini copter is blowing my hair.

Here you see it hovering around the Christmas tree in the foyer.

Here you see the Son-In-Law checking his weapon. He was on my team. I KNOW he was tickled to be on his Mother-in-law's team! I mean who wouldn't be?

Here is Recruit 4, he is totally excited. I just don't remember why. The problem with blogging two months later...

It was really a lot of fun and if NERF guns weren't so stinkin' expensive I'd say let's do it next year. I'm thinking we need a paint ball war next year. I bet the cost of buying all the Nerf guns would be the same as paint ball rental. The base has a paint ball field. I wonder what it would cost to rent it just for us. I think it would be a hoot to have The Marine family against another family from church. Good times, Good times... Recruit One will have have our new grand baby so I can sit out and bounce him while they all splatter each other.

OR...

OH I KNOW, I could start buying coveralls now, and get our team name put on the back and get the other family to buy different colored coveralls and put their team name on the back and... Oh I've got planning to do...

I've got to find another family for the shoot out.

This could be good.

My Birthday Review

February 20th a hundred years ago a little baby girl was born to a young Airman and his wife in Madrid, Spain.

I'd like to say she was a beautiful baby, but she found a letter her mother had written to her grandmother that indicated this might not have been the case. However... later it came true after the newborn phase was through. I promise she became much cuter.

Okay, it was me!!!

Present number 1:

Yesterday I drove up and there was a box on my porch. I wondered what did I order now? I hadn't, it was a birthday box from my mother! I love boxes from my mother! I've hidden all the candy but Recruit 6 saw today where it was hidden. It's probably already gone. He is a candy fiend.

Today was my actual birthday, and of course The Marine is not here. It's okay though, I won't be here for his birthday this spring either. So there.

However, I think he cleaned the bathroom (present number 2) before he left as part of his birthday present to me and NOT his attempt to make me feel bad for not enjoying/performing house work. You can read about what ticks him off if you really want to know.

So, my birthday. This morning I woke up a few minutes before the alarm went off but laid there a few minutes, knowing that I would have to get up and iron all the white shirts. This is a job usually done by The Marine every Sunday morning. He's not here. I mentioned that. I know.

Present number 3:

I heard Recruit 2 come down the stairs and get the dogs from my room, shut my door and let them outside.

Hmmm. Very interesting.

That is not normal. He got up on his own, BEFORE my alarm went off, AND came down stairs AND let the dogs out. Nice... I mean you don't understand. That was truly effort on his part and I was really touched. He's a wonderful almost adult.

Present number 4:

So I jumped out of bed only to find Recruit 2 making breakfast! He was so sweet! I said why are you up? He said, "well I wanted to make you breakfast but you got out of bed." I told him I would gladly eat whatever he fixed, but I had to iron. He was so pleasant about it and didn't complain or anything.

Present number 5:

Wonderful sacrament meeting today! As Latter Day Saints, our Sunday main meeting is called a sacrament meeting. Today however we had a malfunction that required we partake of the Sacrament at the end of the meeting instead of at the beginning. So we heard the talks first.

The talks were all wonderful. One of my young women students from the seminary class I teach gave a wonderful talk and she looked beautiful up there. Then a friend of mine gave a talk and I just wanted to hug her. She had had a bad morning before church, had altercations with two teen daughters, and then had to come to church and speak about love! I just wanted to give her a giant hug. How many times have I been in her position? A lot. It's really awful to be screaming at your kids and then go to church and have to teach a lesson on kindness, patience, love, etc... Bless her for her honesty!

Present 6:

Recruit 4 is now old enough to pass Sacrament. It really is a gift to see him passing the bread and water so reverently and respectfully. He is a force to be reckoned with and I am grateful to have him as mine.

During Sacrament the bread and water are passed. Recruit 6 started stressing out when we didn't get to "eat". I need to talk to him! sigh...

Then he wanted a "big" cup. The extra cups they had to get because we were out of our regular little plastic cups were much bigger. He was feeling slighted he had gotten a 'little' cup. I spent a minute trying to explain to him and then finally said "be quiet or I'm taking you out!" (not taking him out like shooting him, but taking him out of the chapel, felt the need to clarify that...)

Present number 7:

Watching Recruit 2 hold a baby during the meeting. She is so calm and patient and loving. Wish she was that way with some of her own brothers. However I truly enjoy watching her with the babies. There is something so calm and peaceful the way she is when she is holding a baby. She will make a wonderful mother one day. (NOT TODAY)

Present number 8:

Sister E. brought me TAMALES!!!! I needed those! I have been wanting tamales since December. I didn't get any for Christmas. They were super yummy. We had them for lunch after church. I miss tamales.

Present number 9:

After church I walked in the house to discover the kitchen and den were clean and the clothes all put away! there was a note with several different Happy Birthday's written by cleaning Elves!!! That was fabulous!

Recruit 5 and 6 walked in behind me and both said OH BOY let's check out our room! Only to find that the elves failed to enter their dungeon. Recruit 2 laughed hysterically as the little boys ran to see if the 'elves' had visited their room. The Elves HAD NOT visited their room. It is still a dungeon.

Present number 11:

My "other" sons from church brought me some cookies! I have such love for the youth in my seminary class. I was really touched they brought me yummy treats.

Present number 12:

There was not nearly as much fighting today as there could be and have been before. They were all really trying. There were a few moments... but no blood or ER visits. Success!

I heard from my mom, my mom-in-law, and my sweet Recruit 1. Multiple birthday wishes via Facebook and friends at church. It was just wonderful!

Living so far away from my family has always been bittersweet. I miss them and I miss "home" but life in the Marine Corps has been good and has brought other "family" into my life I would have missed out on. I am happy and content.

Today was a good day.

Now if the Marine would just come home...

MY MARINE AND WHAT MAKES HIM TICKed off.

Oh I have missed my blog. I just have not been able to find the time, or when I have the time I am beyond exhausted. So many big and small moments I've missed. Many small things I've posted on Facebook, mostly the funny things the kids say. The big moments have been Recruit One's wedding in December of 2009, the birth and death of my first Grandchild in August of 2010, and the wonderful news of a second, healthy baby boy due to arrive in July of 2011. All of which I am writing, but I just am not ready for it to be on a public blog. Maybe when I've finished and Recruit One is good with it I will share that story. It's beautiful and sad, but filled with love and a true testimony that God lives.

As a writer, I find myself writing in my head and in my heart all the time, but never quite capturing those moments on paper (or computer). I feel like I am not being true to a talent I've been given or to the need to capture moments for my children, and now grandchildren.

So, today, I try to begin again to do better.

Now this story isn't as tender or as touching as the one about my granddaughter, it's about him. That MAN/Marine I married. sigh.

My relationship with my husband, who I truly adore, has been described as volatile before. Not by me, but by a friend of ours. I like to call it feisty, fun, entertaining, energetic. He's always taken very good care of me and has been my knight in shining armour. We banter and quip, and on occasion have a humdinger of a disagreement, but always, always we have been tied to one another that is safe and loving and kind.

But I didn't like him very much last night.

Well really up until an hour ago I was highly irked (I think it's my hormones. Isn't it always?) In fact up until an hour ago I was thinking up all kinds of revenge-ish things to do.

Some of which were: never do his laundry again, always have both dogs and three of the kids in bed with me asleep when he came to bed so he would have to move everyone, drive off in his truck at random and odd moments, cook lots of deserts with nuts in them. He hates nuts. Eat peanut butter right before he wants to be romantic and NOT brush my teeth. He hates peanut butter.

Okay, so obviously I'm not talking sabotage. Just How to Annoy My Marine in six easy steps.

The Marine is on his way somewhere and will be back in a day or two. Let me just say first before I go any further how much I LOVE MY MARINE. I really do. Please refer back to this sentence in a little while.

We had a miscommunication last night. One that resulted in my waking from a dead sleep, him commenting on my snoring and how I just lay around and sleep all the time, and then me grabbing a pillow and storming out to climb onto the top bunk in Recruit 3's room where I promptly fell asleep. For one hour.

I then had to go to the bathroom. So without my glasses, in the dark and with a very shifty bed, I had to figure out how to climb back down, avoid all the 'stuff' on the floor to include a lacrosse stick I had injured myself on when I first arrived in her room.

I had to then again climb back up the shifty bed, toss and turn, then fall asleep, for another hour. However there was NO WAY I was going back where HE was.

He also cleaned our bathroom. And started laundry, which is what started his irritation. He has always helped with housework, but not always the bathroom and quite frankly I've been less than diligent. I'm just really really tired all the time and work and the kids and church come before the bathroom. Plus I hate cleaning it. So there, I've said it.

My point is, he might, perhaps, maybe had reason to be irritated, but still didn't need to be mean to me in the middle of the night, with me being startled awake. (I've since learned he had fallen asleep sitting up with the computer on his lap and my snoring startled HIM awake first). whatever.

So this morning I woke up, not well rested, avoided HIM, got the kids ready and took off for Lacrosse practice, Baseball sign ups, cleat shopping etc. The Marine stopped by the Lacrosse field to say goodbye since he was heading out of town and I had scurried everyone out of the house before he got up. on purpose. I KNOW<>.. I'm awful. I will tell my Bishop tomorrow....

He came to my window and kissed me goodbye.

I kissed him back.

There were people present.

He walked around to the passenger window and leaned in and said he knew it killed me to kiss him goodbye.

I said no. I didn't mind kissing him because if he died I would feel really bad if I hadn't kissed him.

He laughed.

I didn't.

He grinned.

I glared.

He drove off. I went cleat shopping.

Arriving several hours later we arrived home and I took my lunch to my room to sit down and watch a recorded show away from the kids. We'd spent the day together and I was needing a few minutes alone.

I couldn't locate the remote to my TV. I figured HE had hidden it as a parting shot.

Seriously, would he have stooped that low? YES, I think he would.

So I found the remote from the den TV and took it into the bedroom, pointed at the TV and clicked. The TV came on alright, but only to have a screen filled with the snow of death.

I knew immediately HE had done something to my cable in the bedroom as an extra parting shot. The poison on the tip of the spear so to speak. If losing the remote wasn't enough, it wouldn't matter when I found it. MARINES!! You really have to know who you are dealing with.

I checked the connections. My COMM Marine always says "did you check all the connections first?" whenever I call for help. (please say this in a mimicky whiney voice. I did) So I checked all the connections. No luck.

Cable worked everywhere else. Proof he was playing dirty. Really dirty.

I grabbed the phone and started to dial. I put it down. I didn't want to call him. He would know he'd gotten me. I could figure this out.

No I couldn't.

I picked up the phone.

I put it down.

I sighed heavily.

I grabbed it and dialed.

One ring, two rings, three rings. Oh this was going to annoy me if he didn't answer.

Marine: "Hello!" (Mr. Happy)

Kelli: "What. Did. You. Do. To. The. Cable. In. Our. Room.?" (Mrs. I will never be friendly to you again)

Marine: "What? Nothing." (Mr. Innocent)

Kelli: "Sure you didn't". and I hung up.

About an hour later the phone rings. Meanwhile, I've gone to HULU.com. so I'm a little calmer. Had my TV fix.

Kelli: after looking at the caller ID, "HELLO!" (said very firmly and with clear disgruntlement)

Marine: "Hey is Wade there? Does he have a minute?"

small talk small talk blah blah of which I was commenting little.

then

Marine: "Well, I've been listening to scripture on tape and I'm listening to Alma (in the Book of Mormon) and it's where all the battles are and it's great!"

Kelli: "harrumph" or some other disgusted sound.

Marine continues: "and I realized, I needed to call you and I didn't want to battle with you. You are my eternal companion and I love you very much."

Kelli: now softening a little because 1. The Marine was being sweet, and 2. I don't want to be the one to be in trouble with Heavenly Father since now the Marine was being humble. darn it.

Marine Continues: "and to fix the cable you just need to switch the two cables around"

I KNEW IT! IT WAS HIM! the rat.

In fact, when I was checking those two were loose.... AND I TIGHTENED THEM BACK... Little did I know they were loose because he had switched them. Oh and the remote was back there too. dirty dirty rat.

Marine Continues:"and I am very sorry.... and so on... more mushy stuff" that I won't repeat because then he will be annoyed because after all he is The Marine...

Kelli: "well. okay. but you really hurt my feelings! And I don't lay around and sleep all day! And yeah, you hurt me deeply"

Marine: "Yes, and I've apologized, and I do love you."

I can't remember anymore than that because at that point the recruits kept breaking in and I had to yell at them a couple of times. They were ruining the moment.

He explained he was asleep when my loud snoring startled him awake and he was just snapping and I thought he was awake already because he was sitting up with the computer on his lap still, which many a time I've removed from his lap, and he was just being mean for no apparent reason.

I love the Marine. He ticks me off but he always makes it better. I tick him off and usually have to clean something to make it up to him. I might be frustrating to live with sometimes - possibly. Don't take that as any sort of admittance to anything.

Recently, I think, but I can't be sure, it might have been more than usual.

I sat on his side of the bed yesterday eating food. That ticks him off.

I hadn't cleaned the bathroom, (in a few... days?) and there was tons of laundry. We had to use monster hooded towels...

We've eaten a lot of pizza and McDonald's lately.

And other little things, for instance; I have a hard time keeping up with my check card. I'm always looking for it and often have had to go out to the Marine's unit and get his check card from him.

Well recently two of our vehicles were broken into in our driveway and some things were stolen to included my whole purse (story for another time) and my check card was in there. So I had his. We got into the van to go get my military ID (which was stolen too) and as The Marine was driving and talking he looked down and said, well now that your new check card has arrived can I take mine back out of this bowl down here?"

I died. I had meant to move it before he got home so I wouldn't get lectured but I forgot. It was in a bowl sitting under the center console thingy and the bowl was there from something we'd taken to church (it was clean).

The who thing struck me as funny and I started laughing. Like giddy stupid laughing that often leads to an asthma attack. He looked at me. He wanted to be irritated but I must have been ridiculous looking and a slight grin started to creep up. He shook his head and said, "you are a mess. An unorganized mess." (if any of my bosses read this he only means personally, not professionally.)

He took his card back, got me a new ID card, and then took me to the exchange and bought me a new wallet. He really is sweet.

Our marriage may have been described as volatile, but I wouldn't have it any other way. He is good for me and I know I am good for him. 22 years, six kids, and a whole lot of Marine Corps and I couldn't ask for a better husband and best friend. And look, he can kiss me in the snow AND hang on to his corn dog bite! He is the most wonderful man in the world!

Warning: Possible inappropriate content

This story involves Recruit 6. Just a warning. Worried yet? This post could go anywhere ya know...

This is his second year to play football. He's kinda of well known around here. Sadly, not for his football skill. He is still one of the younger/smaller players. Maybe I should say he is NOTORIOUS, rather than well known.

Why? Well, too look at him you would think it's because of his angelic face and demeanor. Both of which are true... Most of the time.... It's more because of what he has refused to wear since he left diapers far behind. Underwear. He doesn't wear underwear.

Many a sun beam and primary teacher at church have found out the hard way. I forgot to warn them.

But today, that may have all changed. He came in from football practice tonight and as I took off his football pants, (with him lying on the kitchen floor as I tugged) I noticed BOXER shorts.

Me: Oh my gosh! you have on underwear!

Recruit 6: Yep. I think I'm going to start wearing them.

Me: Oh? why?

Recruit 6: Well, if my pants fall down, someone might see my business. And in the bathroom the other day, my pants came down and someone saw my business and I said HEY DON'T LOOK AT MY BUSINESS!

Me: {hiding my joy} Ah, well that sounds like a great idea.

SO for all you have been marred by the lack of underwear on our little man child, or worried he was going to run off and join a nudist colony, or worse, become promiscuous before 3rd grade, never fear! Life has a way of working out and society has a way of helping us all mainstream in our own time... darn it. I now will have more laundry to do.

New beginings, Loss, Birthdays, all in one post.

Now it's September. So much has happened in our lives since Christmas day. So much there is no way to ever catch up. I will post a few things for sure. Like Recruit 1's wedding on 30 December 2009, then the second reception on the east coast on 9 January.

Then in April we had to say goodbye to our beloved Bradford. He was 15 and a half year old Blond lab and had been my faithful companion through many deployments, moves, and new babies.

later that same month, Luke, an adorable blond lab, was born and we were able to get him on Memorial weekend. Both of these beautiful animals and faithful family members deserve their own posts.

August brought the unexpected and all to early delivery of Recruit one's first baby. She didn't make it and hello's and goodbye's were all done on the same day. The amazing thing was Heavenly Father's hand was over us in a way I had never experienced before.

While it was a sad time, the peace we were granted and the comfort was something not of our ability or of this earth. It could only be the love and blessings from a loving Father in Heaven who knew what His children needed and granted it, almost hourly.

I returned home to my other five children the day before school started and The Marine was gone on a trip. Hasn't been much time to catch our breath.

Today is labor day, 2010. I am tired. I feel old and too young all at the same time. I think about two worlds colliding, one is the past and one is the present, and it makes it seem more plausible to have life fold in on its self, except my fingers are getting stiffer as my joints ache a little more. The Marine snores a little louder and there's more to hold onto when I hug him. That's how I can tell it's the present and I am getting older!

Oh, and how could I forget to mention, I've been called as the seminary teacher. That should prove interesting. We've completed one week so far and Hurricane Earl messed up our first Friday Scripture Mastery Day, so I am already having to figure out catch up! I think I am going to LOVE this calling, however... Wow, it's early and recruits 5 and 6 have to go to the church building with us. So far it's not been too disruptive... so far.

So if I do one post a day, I'll catch up in a week. I've missed blogging, capturing those random moments and not so normal events my family seems to find themselves involved in.

Oh and TODAY is Recruit 3's birthday. I have yet to get her a present and she wants me to MAKE the cake and not buy it. ug. She is my only girl comrade in this male dominate house right now. I guess I'll drag my Labor Day relaxing tail to the store and buy a cake mix.

As I type this my 85 year old Grandmother and my Mother have embarked on a 3500 mile road trip. I'll be watching their progress like we watch hurricane Earl, Fiona, Gaston, etc.... Recruit 1, myself, my Aunt, and The Marine are all on standby if one of us needs to fly somewhere in the U.S. to drive them back home...

I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!!

I am pledging now, to myself because that way only I shall be disappointed, to set aside time for my writing. I'm not sure when, but I am looking for some!!!

Christmas Day 2009

So I am not even going to explain why it's 7 Aug 2010 and this is just being posted. It would take all the time I have to write in the next few minutes! So We'll just get right to it! Christmas morning (if there are stairs) always has the traditional wait until Dad is ready. It also offers me a picture moment of the first glimpse of Christmas morning with all it's sleepy eyes, bad hair, and wrinkled faces...

Then it's time to dive into the living room and see what Santa brought. Every recruit seems to know just where to go.

Stockings are emptied and we all ooh and awwww over everything. look at Recruit 6's puffy little eyes....

Recruit 4 and a rare smile. I think he is holding up toothpaste. I can't remember. After all it's AUGUST!!!

The almost husband at this time.... his first Christmas morning with us.

Recruit 1 got a DIVA apron from Santa. I have no idea why. She cooks less than I do!!!

I think Recruit 3 "borrowed" those sun glasses already and they are now broken.

The Marine has skills. That's all I can say about this! He loves his whip cream with a little hot chocoalate! Ug, it's a million degrees outside as I write this. Does not look as good as it did 7 months ago...

I have no idea.

Grammy and I Christmas morning watching the festivities!

Recruit 3 got a bunch of crazy jewelery and a jewelery box from the jolly old elf.

Love my girls

Passing out gifts!

Recruits 5 and 6 enjoying the Christmas craziness!

not sure the almost husband is faking the crazy look! The went ahead and got married so I'm thinking we didn't freak him out too bad!!!

Bradford, our beloved friend and family member. He was 15 years old. Later, on April 8 we had a very difficult decsion to make. I'll write about it more later, but he is with my Dad in heaven now. Waiting for us patiently like he always did when he was here on earth. We miss him.

We opened presents in "baby order". Recruit 6 was first, but still had to wait for everyone to go before he could get to his next one. With my mom's family we all opened at once and as a child that was fine. But as I grew up i wanted to watch family open what I had sweated over picking out for them. It's far more fun!

Recruit 4 between the two Grandmothers!

And she loves her hat. Silly girl!

Wet suit was the big gift for Recruit 2.

The Marine and Recruit 2 got a combined gift from Recruit 1.

A 3D archery target! They both have compound bows. Time has not permited them to play with it yet. That stinks!

Big J. We love him!

We had to take a break and eat breakfast!

And clean up!!!

I love this face! He got a DS. THANK GOODNESS!!!

He got a DS too. THANK GOODNESS AGAIN!!!

Days later we had a wedding and reception and another reception. He survived the Christmas test. AND he is still married to Recruit 1 AND they are expecting a baby in December!!! Their timing is rotten... however I am thrilled and that is why I am trying to catch up on the year so I can be ready when my first G-BABY pops out!!!

We had wet suits and X-men.

Then it was visit to my Grandmther's house. This is my youngest cousing. She just got married too in April. I have a blog for that too. one day.... I was getting a kitchen massage....

My Grandmother will be 85 this year! I love the clock and geese. Time flys... I need to do that somewhere in my house.

Recruit 2 and Grandmother.

Recruit 3

Recruit 4 and Grandmother

Christmas holds good memories for me. It is the main holiday that grounded me to my extended family all the years I grew up in a military home and all the years I've raised my family. This picture says a lot. My youngest standing in front of a window looking out on a backyard that has been part of my memories forever. Believe. I do believe. I believe all the family who no longer stand in this kitchen will one day stand together again. I believe in celebrating Christmas with joy and reverence and that it is my role now to create those memories and connections for my children and grandchildren. Merry Christmas, even if it's August. Any time of year is a good time to celebrate family and more importantly the birth and love of our Savior.