Strawberries and Cream Trifle

This is totally for me, so, sorry!  I need a place to record this recipe so I don't lose it.

Strawberries and Cream Trifle

1 14 oz can Eagle sweet and condensed milk
1 1/2 cup cold water
1 (4 serving size) instant vanilla pudding and pie mix
1 8 oz container Cool Whip
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries (more for garnishing)
1 cup Smucker's special recipe Strawberry Preserves
1 large (9 inch) prepared angel food cake cut into 3/4 inch cubes
2 T sliced almonds

Whisk sweet and condensed milk and water in a large bowl.  Add pudding mix and whisk for 2 minutes, until well blended.  Refrigerate for 5 minutes, fold in whipped topping. 

Stir together strawberry preserves and sliced strawberries.  Spoon 2 cups of pudding mixture into bottom of a 4 qt trifle bowl.  Top with 1/2 the cake cubes, half the strawberries and half the remaining pudding mixture.  Repeat layers ending with the pudding.  Chill in fridge for 3-4 hours.  Garnish with sliced strawberries and almonds before serving.

Lessons Learned

So, I thought I would record some of the things I have learned over Aaron's deployment.  This is more for me, but they might help someone else. 

• Friends are not required to be close to help.  I could feel the prayers and support from thousands of miles.  It lifted me when I was weak and comforted me when I was sad.

• Friends that live close to me became my lifelines.  They physically lifted me when I was down.  They were here to dry my tears.  They took my kids so I could go to the grocery store without 4 kids and smiled and listened when I needed it.  Without them, I would have survived this, but I would be in a padded room right now.

• The Lord knows what we need when we need it!  There were several times I got some pretty emotional news.  A man down the street was shot and killed at the airport 20 miles from where Aaron was and the announcement of the death of Bin Lauden.  Those are just a few.  When all of these happened (or I found out about it), I wasn't alone.  I had someone hear to dry my tears and lift me up.

• There were times that I could literally feel the arms of the Savior around me.  I felt protected, loved and validated.  Knowing that he knew my sufferings, my emotions, my feelings and my pains was so comforting.  He became my lifeline. 

• Not all things are about me.  I came to the conclusion that this deployment was not about me.  I was not supposed to learn some big lesson.  Sometimes in our lives, we are given trials just to endure them and do it well.  (D&C 121:7-9).  When I read this, I felt a huge wave of relief.  I wasn't being punished.  I was blessed the entire time Aaron was gone.  I earned every blessing that I received.  I know that.

• I didn't realize how many people struggled with Aaron's deployment.  (Again, not all about me.)  Just because they didn't live with him or smell his morning breath didn't mean that they didn't miss him or worry about him. 

• I take my husband for granted.  In all aspects.  I missed him so much.  Not just the big things.  The little things.  Taking out the garbage.  Holding my hand while we watched a movie.  I don't ever want to do that again.  I feel so much closer to him and our relationship is stronger. 

That is just a few.  I will add more as the days go by, but I want to remember how I feel now.

Cars Carmel Corn!

For our treat tonight, we celebrated the release of Cars 2.  The kids all want to see it.  I thought I would share the recipe!

Cars Carmel Corn

Ingredients:

2 bags of (light or no butter) popcorn (or air popped)
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
100-120 cars marshmallows (or 20-24 large plain), divided

Step 1: Make popcorn.  Set aside.  Put butter, brown sugar, 50-60 cars marshmallows (or 10-12 large plain) in a microwavable bowl.  Microwave on high for 1 minute.  Stir until marshmallows are melted and combined.

Step 2: Add remaining 50-60 marshmallows (or 10-12 large plain) and microwave on high 1 minute.  Stir until mostly combined.  (The kids thought it was super fun to have different color streaks in the popcorn, so we didn't stir until all marshmallows were mixed in.)

Step 3:

Step 4:  Pour over popcorn and stir.  Enjoy!  Make sure you have paper towels or napkins.  Fingers get sticky.  Depending on how gooey you want your popcorn you can make more of the carmel topping.  We like it gooey so we make another 1/2-whole batch.  We use air popped popcorn.  We don't like the butter on the popcorn for carmel corn.  The moves...totally different story.  ENJOY!!

In the 2nd picture of the finished product, you can see blue streaks.  The kids had SO much fun!  We can't wait to see the movie.

Linking here, here, here, here and here.

Thunderbird Falls

We went on Friday and did the Thunderbird Falls hike with Sassy's parents and Luke.  The kids did pretty good although they were getting tired when we were headed back.  Here are a few of the picture.

It was absolutely stunning.  It's hard to be in a place as beautiful as this and believe that there are people that don't believe in God.  We are so thankful for the opportunity we had to be here!

Aaron's home!! It's over! -- Kind - of

Aaron made it back from Afghanistan late last night.  To say that it was a whirlwind is an understatement.  I'll post more details (or have him do it) in a few days.  While we are getting settled, here's his coming home video.

Military wives are dependants?

I was directed to this article from a friend...

After reading a Navy Wives Facebook Support Page, I thought a few girls needed this one.

This Column is Dedicated to The Spouses, “Those who Silently Serve.”

Anything But Dependent is the title I chose for this weekly spouse column. I came up with this title because of the stereotype we are given. Our civilian counterparts have labeled us as dependent, needy, and whiney. I am normally pretty reserved when someone has views different from my own. I respect them, keep an open mind, and try to gain perspective from listening to others. But this is something that I can’t keep quiet about. I even caught myself snapping at a very rude woman in line behind me at the store once. She was talking about living in “this town” and how she was tired of “these lazy military wives” to a friend on the phone.

She was referring to an exhausted looking woman in pajama pants who was in front of us holding her credit card and a Military ID. While I waited for her to end her conversation, thoughts flew through my mind. Who was the woman in the pajama pants? I wonder what would bring her to the store at 7:45AM. Was she sick with no one to help her? Was she getting something for her child that couldn’t wait until later?

I then started thinking of all the times that I have gone to the store in sweat pants and my hair tied in a knotty mess just to get the much-needed medicine for my children or myself. So many thoughts were rushing through my brain that it made my face heat up. The women hung up her phone and I turned to her and said, “I couldn’t help but over hear your comment about military wives, I just wanted to let you know that you are putting a very negative stereotype on a large and amazing group of women.” She replied, “There’s nothing amazing about women that sit around waiting on their husbands and having babies!”

“Oh, no she did not just say that,” I thought to myself. It took all I had not to scream at this woman. I paid for my items and then I calmly turned and faced her eye to eye and said,” I am the wife of an active duty Navy man who protects your right to say whatever you want, but I will have you know that I don’t sit around and wait for him. I have my own life, a job, two amazing children, and I get more done by 9 am than most women do in an entire day. Maybe you should think twice before labeling someone you know nothing about”. I then walked away without giving her the chance to reply.

I felt a rush of adrenaline and emotion. Is that what people really think of the military wife? I quickly came to the conclusion that this girl was just ignorant. She doesn’t know any better. How would she? No one lies across their bed as a teenage girl dreaming of marrying the man of her dreams who will seldom be home. I’m sure she doesn’t know the strength it takes to give birth while your husband is deployed or take care of a child all by herself night after night, not knowing when her next full night of rest may be. This girl has never moved into a town she didn’t know and had to purchase a home or find a job by herself not knowing how long she will live there. Only the women that have walked in the shoes know the challenges, obstacles, and extreme strength it takes to do all of this.

Military spouses are anything but dependent. The military labels us as a “dependent” of our husbands. And I understand what the military means by it. But, by the definition of the word itself, we are far from it. My husband likes to say he couldn’t function in the Navy without me. I’m his rock. We are best friends and a team. Sure my husband could have done this by himself, but he isn’t. The Navy did not issue me; therefore I’m not a necessity, right? My husband would argue that one. We believe that without each other, we wouldn’t be who we are today. We give credit to each other for all of our successes. Nothing has been accomplished alone. I’m sure that there might be a few salty men that disagree with the statement saying that their wife had nothing to do with their success and vice versa. Maybe it’s true, but that is something I would happily and respectfully challenge.

With that said, there is a fine line between dependency and support. I look to my husband for support, but I am not dependent. I support my husband, but he is not dependent upon me. We encourage, love, and respect each other. And together, though sometimes very far apart, we take on the world one day at a time.

Military wives are strong, smart, resourceful, and can do anything that they put their minds to. We could give MacGyver a run for his money. As women, we need to find the strength within ourselves and not be discouraged by the word “dependent”. This is where that cute childhood saying comes in. Anything boys can do, girls can do better. Well, maybe not always better, but we can do it. And while our husbands are away, we do it all and then some. Although I admit, there are some things I wish my husband were here to do during the deployments. An example would be that it is a well-known fact that my air conditioner and I are not friends. My lawn mower and I go through angry spells and there are days that my trimmer won’t even talk with me. Well, if talking was considered turning on. And of course the biggest issue is that my best friend is deployed.

The bottom line is that we can run a household, have a career, find time to volunteer, raise a family, go to school, start a business, have time with our biological families and our Navy families, taxi our children around and so much more, but with one huge difference. Our husbands are serving in the military. The worry, stress, and schedule add weight to everything above. Be proud of your accomplishments. You really are anything but dependent.

Check out her post here.

I will say my piece on this article.  I have had this happen to me.  I pulled out my military ID to show proof of signiture for my credit card when a woman in her mid 50's made this loud breathing sound and said, "Oh, she's one of those."  To which I turned to look at her.  (She was surprised I turned).  "Excuse me?" I said.  "You know, you flash your military ID and expect discounts, special treatments and people to do whatever you want.  This town isn't just about you."  I tried to keep my head, but I did respond.  "I'm sorry ma'am.  Did I cut in front of you in line?  (She answered no).  Did I ask for a discount? (the clerk verified that I did not).  I didn't ask for special treatment.  I just want to pay for my stuff and get home.  At this point - she goes postal.

"You military people come into OUR town and change everything.  You take over voting and make polocies, you change our laws and how our city functions then you get to move on and leave us to deal with all the changes.  You file for and take PFD even though you aren't a permanent resident of Alaska.  Why can't you just leave us alone."

As I sat there and listened to hear, I felt sorry for her.  My response is very calm for me.  I'm normally a fighter.  I simply said, "I'm sorry you have had a terrible experience with someone to give you such negative impression of the military.  I am so glad that my husband is out there putting his life on the line to give you the ability to say mean and cruel things about him and the upstanding work he is doing.  Saving peoples lives.  Creating a better environment for our children to live in.  You say you want us to go?  (She answered yes),  So, what would happen if we left.  You would lose thousands of people to support your economy,  You would have some of the fishing tourism, but honestly, I don't think you can fathom what would happen to your quaint little down if we pulled out.  Do you want to see?"

She walked away shaking her head at me.  I was shaking hard and had a difficult time calming down.  I finally did.  I am so proud of my husband and what he stands for.  I am proud of me and my kids and us standing behind him as a unified family saying this is our life and it is good.  Aaron is happy with what he does.  He helps people.  He is good at what he does.  His patients love him.  We wish we could see him more, but right now, that's not possible. 

Life is falling apart around me right now when Aaron's gone.  I have taken 2 kids the the ER (the day before their birthdays), done mothers day (yuck!), I had no water for 4 days.  I am getting sick.  I need to get stuff in the mail for people expecting it this week.  My husband is in Afghanistan.  I don't have him to help me pick up the pieces.  I do this all alone.  Homeschool, piano lessons, training for my 10 k, church callings (which I kinda fill in for him too).

Friends - my friends here have been amazing.  I am come close to losing it several times only to be told by a friend that they are watching my kids while I take one to the ER or I can go running or just to the store with no extra hands.  Peace and quiet.  I miss that. 

Tomorrow, I will get up, shower, welcome Luke (a boy I watch), run some errands for Justin's birthday shindig tomorrow night.  head home, pick up friends and head to the Alaska Zoo.  Let's hope for something grand.Follow the zoo with cupcakes and ice cream  He needs to celebrate.  This is all my by self.  Somewhere in there I need to fit in History, Science, Language Arts, Math, Japanese and Typing.  Trying to get the year wrapped up.

My desire: I don't want to be pitied.  Those looks send me over the moon.  I don't even want help most of the time.  I am only asking for understanding.  You may not have ever stood in my exact shoes, but there has to be a time somewhere sometime that you can somewhat relate to an and least support us as we support our men and women and pray for a peaceful solution soon.

Aaron Update

Aaron is still plugging through.  He still hasn't had a day off.  We are past the 5 month mark.  The end is supposed to be in sight, but for some reason, there has been a blindfold over my eyes and I no longer understand or at this point care what is changing each day.Until I get the call that he is in the states and on his way to Alaska, I won't believe it.  At that point, I will probably faint, but I will at last be able to believe something.

My Faith in the military was low starting out but with this deployment, I have lost all faith and trust that I had in the Air Force.   They wonder why people get out as soon as their time is up.  Maybe you should change some things and people might stay around.

He still works 14-16 hour shifts.  He words the nights which is nice because their nights are our days.  We occasionally get to talk to him, but usually for not more than 5 or 10 minutes.  He is busy and focused on what he is doing.

DUDE - We miss you like CRAZY and can't wait to hold you!!

Love, Babe, Rick, J, Elijah and Maggers

(Kennie wants to be called Rick, Nate wants to change his name to Elijah and Maggie now likes Maggers.  Thanks Grandpa B.!)

Life isn't fair...

I just watched another reunion of a military member coming home from Afghanistan.  Bawled my eyes out.  The events the last two weeks have brought my emotions on my sleeve.  I swear I have a permanent track from my bottom eyelid to my chin on each side of my face.

I keep playing a song from Glee in my mind.  "So I throw up my fists, throw a punch in the air and accept the truth that sometime life isn't fair. I'll send out a wish, ya I'll send up a flare that finally someone will see how much I care."

A family down the street is one that will forever be affected by the shooting at Kabul Airport almost 2 weeks ago.  The kids father and a sweet lady's husband was shot and killed.  In one split second, their lives changed forever.  My head knows that Aaron is safe but that doesn't stop my heart from playing the what if's.  What if it were Aaron.  What would I do without my soulmate?  Then, I cry my tears into my pillow until I fall asleep.  I am sick of this.  I want my husband home.  I am also reminded daily that people have it worse the me.  I know that.  However, that doesn't turn off my feelings.  I am still allowed to feel what I feel. 

Moving off my soapbox, we have an approximate date for Aaron's departure.  Just under 2 months left.  I CAN'T wait.  Oh how I miss him!!

DIY Magnetic Board - How To

A few years ago I started making these for the boys preschool teachers.  Last year, a bunch of girls got together and made them for teacher appreciation week.  Last Friday night, a bunch of girls got together to make some more.  I love watching people get so excited to create!!

Lisa, Natalie, Lyn, Treyanna and Charlotte

Here is a picture of the finished product!

What you will need:

1 8x12 shingle from Home Depot (I couldn't find them at Lowes.  They are in the shingle department.  Make sure you get the silver metal one.)

 2 pieces of printed cute matching paper

Ribbon

Mod podge and brush

Cropodile

Buttons

Magnets (I just picked mine up at Home Depot while we were there.  They give a military discount!)

Superglue (not pictured)



Directions:

1.  Cut your paper.  You will need once piece measureing 2.75 (or 2 3/4) by 12 and one piece measuring 5.25 (or 5 1/4) by 12.  Mod Podge the top of the shingle and apply the smaller of the 2 pieces of paper.

2.  Mod podge the bottom paper to the shingle.  Make sure you let it completly dry.  Now would be a good time to superglue your button to the magnet. 

3.  Mod Podge over the whole board to seal the paper.  It's okay if you see white, it will clear.  Just don't put too thick of a coat on it. 

4.  Use adhesive to attach ribbon to cover the overlap of paper.  (In the above picture, I used mod podge on the ribbon strip because it is mesh and there is no place to put adhesive.  I just let it dry fully before I did it.)  I wrap my ribbon around the back so you can't see the ends and it won't frey.

5.  Using the Cropodile (or other tool), punch the holes in the top of the shingle.  String ribbon through the holes and tie a bow or a know.

**Note:  Make sure you let the top coat of Mod Podge dry before sticking your magnet on the board.  It will leave a permenant mark on the board if it isn't fully dried.

Here's another example:

These instructions make it sound tons harder than it really is to make.  Enjoy and happy creating!

I'm linking: here, here, here, here and here.