I'll be quick.

My husband is deployed. We remarried before he left.

We are expecting our third child in March. Wyatt is 10. Emma is 7

Absent. But not really

So. I'm sick. Sick is sort of a short non complicated word I'm using, but none the less. I feel like - because of this I'm falling spectacularly short of how I should be functioning as a wife and mother. But, I press on and hope no one notices. Something has to give somewhere, so I cut out some things, like this blog, so I could focus what little energy I have on the things that matter most.
That said...

The family is good. We just went home for my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary.  I was trusted with making the cake. It was a fabulous 3 tier diamond edged lemon wonder.  We saw family we hadn't seen in forever. I saw my grandparents take vows again. It was truly beautiful.

The kids are doing ok in school. Wyatt is about to take those silly SOL tests. I think there is too much pressure put on those kids regarding those. He came home with a grade card that ranged from a C to an A.  I'll take it.
Emma is progressing and finally starting to read.  Seems her strong point is math. But she's just in kindergarten and I know that can change. She's a feisty little ball of fire.

What else? Hmmm....  Oh! I'm  singing for the Lord these days. I actually really love it.

A good day.

Since our cub scout pack folded and we moved to a different pack, Wyatt hasn't wanted to do scouts.  He liked his old leader, and liked the adults and kids that were around him. The new pack is really big, and it is overwhelming to a kid like Wyatt. Not to mention, all the new adults. 
So. We hadn't been going.  I went to try a different one this week, one that I heard wasn't too big,  but noticed a familiar car parked, realized we wouldn't (rather, I wouldn't)  be really welcome there (long story) so back to the other pack we went tonight.
I'm thankful.
Wyatt was happy and engaged for the entire time.  Thank you Jesus.  He raised his hand, asked to go first, he excelled.  Will this trend continue?  I don't know.  But today, He's happy, proud and I am thankful.

Happy 9th Birthday Wyatt

My dearest Wyatt,

Happy 9th birthday. As I told you, its cool, because this is your last year in the "single digits."  We had a kids birthday party at home this year.  You invited your friends from school and the neighborhood kids.  We had a balloon creator/magician here (made the coolest things- a Mario, an octopus etc) We did a pinata and shot off soda and mentos geysers.  (What a mess that was!)  You really had a great day, and I'll never be able to describe the feeling I get when I see you freely happy.  It was a really great day.

You're getting quite tall (I'm going to measure tonight and put it in here) about a foot or better more and you'll be as tall as me!  As each day passes I'm faced with the fact that you are growing up. You are growing into a little man.  Your personality is changing, you are thinking more critically, and your humor is expanding.  I LOVE that you can appreciate a good pun. (Mommy LOVES puns)

You started off 3rd grade LOVING it. Its starting to get a bit harder, but your grades are really great. A's, B's  and this weird stray D this quarter from Science. I have no idea why, because you love science, though, when I asked you, you said its because you aren't doing experiments right now, and those are your favorite.

Your dad and you are best buds.  You two are building buddies and video game partners.  I'm not part of that world. (I attempt to help build with you and you kindly suggest that we should wait for dad...its hilarious)  You and your dad have a special connection that way. You are a really lucky kid to have a dad that gets down on the ground and settles in for the long haul building projects with you. Kid, we are blessed.

You attempted golf this year and gave cub scouts a go again.  But you are falling out of interest in them.  I'm pushing for you to join a sport of any kind, but its not going well. Its not you. It may never be you to be a sports kid- and that's ok. I just want you to be happy and a lot of times that can be found in group sports.  We'll see.  You are showing interest in golf again as of this week...so maybe we'll give that another go this year.   I'm forcing you into swim lessons even though you are terrified. I keep telling you that we are always going to live around water and being able to swim is a necessary life skill.  Baby, as with a lot of things I push you on and you don't like me for, you'll thank us one day.

You and your sister get along pretty well. Grudgingly at times. Shes a little wild, and you are more reserved- the two don't line up sometimes. You two have private jokes and games- its really cool. While you aren't wildly protective over her yet, you are genuinely concerned whenever shes hurt or sick.  You will stop everything you are doing to get her a boo boo buddy or try to make her laugh. 

You are affectionate, caring and super smart. You are never without a great idea or plan.  You care about others feelings and don't like to offend anyone if you can possibly help it. Example- "Mom, I don't want to make you feel bad, but I really don't like this dinner, I mean, there are parts that are good, but others not so good."  You're adorable.

I love you to the moon and back.  I love you even when you cant see me. 
Happy Birthday little man.
Mom

moments

I had a cool moment with Emma this morning. We were sitting on the floor together, she on my lap and my arms around her while she ate her cereal.
As usual she was full of questions.
I kissed her head and tell her (as I've been telling both of the kids lately) "I love you, even when you cant see me."
So, this sparked a question from her- "When you arent here anymore, if you die, whos going to help me get on the computer?  Who knows your passwords?"  haha. I just told her that "if I wasnt here anymore, she doesnt need to worry about anything like that because daddy and probably grandmas or maybe a nice nanny would be here looking after you both and would know all the answers.  You will always be taken care of. Your only job is to know mommy still loves you even if you cant see me and you need to think of me in a smile."
We cuddled until we were late for school.

There really are no words to describe the way I feel about Wyatt, Emma and Randy.

Meet Frankie!

Meet Frankie Grace!  We adopted her January 7th.  She is a 2 year old Yorkie.  She is super sweet, affectionate and seriously adorable.

New Years 2012

I love New Years in the Rogowski house. Silly String and Confetti Party :)

 yeah....thats not snow on the ground. :)

Christmas 2012

There have been some established holiday traditions for us since moving to Virginia. As always, it starts with picking out our tree. This years tree was awesome. The strongest, non shedding tree we've had in a while.

Then we have the schools Breakfast with Santa.  Gingerbread house making, christmas cookie making, the trip to the Yankee Candle Store in Williamsburg, opening new jammies on Christmas Eve, "Christmas Cheetos", and now we have "visiting Dad on the ship"  (the last 2 years hes had duty on Christmas) 

It was nice spending time together.  A little sad we didnt get back to Wisconsin, but we are planning to go back in March.



Snoopy Dance

Emma and I were in the car.  Christmas station (dont judge) sigh...
anyway...
That song from Charlie Brown comes on...you know the one....
Emma yells "Mom! Turn it up! This is my jam! Yeah baby!"

I died of cute.

health

After a series of craptacular health scares (and awaiting the latest and greatest to be over with) my present has been put into clear focus for me.  I've been given the gift of amazing clarity.  A deep understand of what is important to me, and what I need to do with the time I have. Procrastination is no longer an option.

Today. I feel fine.

Thankful

Wyatts list of things he's thankful for. 

Food.

Kids. You liked this one

Pesto Meatball Stew
package of Italian meatballs (16 oz)
2 canned diced Italian seasoned tomatoes (undrained)
1 can cannellini beans ( so should use 2 cans though)
1/4 cup pesto (so should use 1/2 a cup though)
1/2 cup water.

mix it all in the slower cooker 5-7 hours on high.  3-4 on low.

so. stinkin. good.

Teefers

 

No Cavity Club

They like going to the dentist.  Clean bill of dental health today.

Forgotten fun

LAST Christmas we had bought Wyatt n Emma a cardboard club house. Seen those things?  You get to color it. Anyway...  Right after Christmas our first floor flooded and a lot of things got frantically tossed in weird places. We found 3 toys from Christmas that are still in packages that we had forgotten about in the hustle n bustle.  One being this clubhouse.
Randy and I put it together when they went to bed (downstairs) and then decided to put it in Emma's room upstairs (duh)
After much swearing, laughing and squishing, we got it upstairs and flooded her room with it. (Those things are actually really big!)
She woke up to it, called in Wyatt and they have been busy at work. There is a lot to color. But it really is nice to see them collaborating together to color it just so.
Last night even Randy and I were in the room coloring. So often Randy isn't here...  It was really nice to have all 4 of us doing something constructive together. Id forgotten how much fun that could be.
Here are some beginning pictures.

How dare I

I had the audacity to remove paper scraps from the table.  Emma gave me this truly appalled look and tells me, "They aren't scraps! They're feet!"
I tell her sorry, my mistake....but I still get this look whenever I've tried to approach her for the last hour.