Mamma's hot cocoa

So, the weather's been cooling down, and as we prepare for christmas one big tradition in my family is the homemade hot chocolate! It's so delicious, especially on a chilly day or christmas morning. I love it so much, I thought I'd share the recipe with all of you :)

Homemade hot chocolate

1 Cup of Sugar

3 heaping Tablespoons of unsweetened coacoa (this just means you don't level it off, just scoop it all up! :D )

1 Can of Evaporated milk (8 oz)

3 cans full of water (just fill up the empty milk can 3 times)

Then just mix and heat it up! It's sooooo yummy!!! I hope you try it, and let me know if you do! I want to know what you think!

So many changes, so little time...

Looking forward to the next few months makes me feel apprehensive to say the least.

Next week Aaron leaves for OTS. This will be a little more than 3 months in Training so that he can be commissioned as an officer in the USAF. He will get to come home for a couple weeks during Christmas, but other than that it'll be so long, see ya... During this time I'll be spending a lot of time at my parents house and while I am definitely excited to see them again, I'm definitely not looking forward to more months spent without Aaron.

Along with Aaron's training comes a new move. He's going to be stationed at Buckley AFB up near Denver when he's done. This means moving out of our current house, finding a new house to rent up in Aurora and moving in, and doing all this without Aaron. I'm excited for new experiences and new opportunities, but I am a little nervous about finding a house for us on my own.

And perhaps the biggest change that we just found out about includes a much smaller addition to our family. As in a new little bundle of joy! We weren't really expecting this new addition quite so soon, so it's creating a few concerns because of needing to switch OB's halfway through my pregnancy, as well as the question of whether Aaron will be home or at more training around the due date :S

So, lots of changes. All of them good. But all of them happening at the same time! Ahh! We'll just have to hope and pray that everything falls in order the way that it should, and at the end of this time hopefully we'll look back at this time and understand it all :P

just on my mind lately...

So, I just have something to get off my chest, but first a little background. I love music, always have, always will. And I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be too conceited to say that I'm good at it too. I've always considered myself to be very talented when it came to anything musical, not in a "I'm way better than you" kind of way, but in a way that I know that if I worked at something I could do very well.

Every time we move I always make sure people know that I'm am very musical and that I like doing musical numbers or helping with anything music related. I am much more comfortable doing a musical number than giving a talk in sacrament meeting. (For any of you non-mormon people that's just what our sunday congregational meeting is called) This probably comes from the fact that I don't believe myself to be very good at expressing my thoughts or beliefs...like, at all...I feel like I stumble my way through to a point and then I worry that I didn't even make sense to anyone but myself. But with music, I can find a song that expresses my feelings perfectly. Music is my language. I understand it, and I feel it in a way that words just can't match.

Now, as I said earlier, I always make sure people know that I am very musical, and yet it seems to me that I always get overlooked. In the last four wards (again for you non-mormons, this is what we call the congregation we are assigned to) I've lived in, I've only been asked to sing once in one ward, and that was only because we were friends with the ward music chairperson and I asked her if I could. I've been asked to do a piano piece in my current ward once, but only because the previous person had to back out at the last minute and I had just told the music chairperson that she could ask me anytime(and this was over a year ago and I haven't been asked to do anything since). And in the first ward from this list I've been asked a few times to play my flute, but only because it's my parent's ward and they kind of arrange it...and it's a really small ward.

I guess all of this wouldn't bother me so much except that I feel like it's always the same people doing the musical numbers. We're always told to share our talents with others, but I feel like I'm shouting from behind a brick wall...I WANT TO DO MUSICAL NUMBERS!!!! I've even tried making all the arrangements myself, choosing a song, finding an accompanist, all the chairperson would have to do is pick a date, and it still doesn't happen!

I think the reason that this has been on my mind lately is because of something that happened with our church choir. In one of the songs we were singing there was a solo part at the beginning. I was excited for the possibility of maybe having this chance to finally let my little music light shine a little bit. But, we went on vacation...and when we got back, they had already chosen the soloist...needless to say I was a little disappointed. Not that I didn't get it, but that I didn't have the opportunity to say that I wanted to do it. Anyway, then a couple weeks went by, and the people who had been chosen for the solos hadn't been there for 3 weeks and the director asked me and another person to fill in so that we could practice that part of the song. It was great! I loved doing it! And one person even made the comment that since myself and the other person sounded so good, and since the regular soloists hadn't been there in 3 weeks, that we should do the parts. The director ultimately rejected this idea, and I completely understand the reasons why, but it was kind of like I had something handed to me and then taken away. I just wish that someone would give me a chance. I feel like there's this bright light inside of me but everyone else keeps covering it up and won't let it out. It's not me, I want to let it out! But no one wants to see it...

So, sorry for such a downer of a post, but I just needed to get that out...

*insert something clever here*

Well, this summer seems to have flown by quickly for us. Our time with the kids is already almost done, just about a week and a half left. During the time we have with them we try to keep life as normal as possible, going to the gym, doing chores, etc. But by the end of our time with them I can't help but feel that we didn't do as many fun things as I had planned. I guess that would be true even if we were the "traditional" family. There never seems to be enough time (or money for that matter) for all the fun things that we would love to do with the kids.

In other news, we have finally found out what Aaron's assignment will be after OTS...Buckley AFB! So we'll be moving just about an hour north to the east side of Denver. We're really excited about this prospect as it would bring us a little closer to the kids, and it was Aaron's first choice of jobs. We've already started a little bit of looking around at the housing prospects, but we plan on staying in Colorado Springs until the new year since Aaron won't be graduating until the middle of February.

Aaron has also just started the first class of his Master's degree, and I will soon be starting what will be the (hopefully) last year of my Associates so we're also keeping busy with all of that.

Well, that's most of it. Keeping busy, but having fun!

so much good food, so little self-control :)

So, most people complain about the pounds they put on over the winter holidays with so much rich and tasty food everywhere. I tend to differ with this opinion. For me it seems like, because I'm expecting it, I actually tend to do a little better on not over-indulging. The problem for me tends to come more in the summer season. I have to admit...I am a total summer food junkie! I love everything that has to do with summer and the food is just part of that. I love the hamburgers and hotdogs, the steak and the BBQ chicken cooked on the grill, the potato salads and chips and baked beans, and of course all the yummy lemonade! And don't even get me started on the desserts(like s'mores and Jello salads!). Maybe it's because I get so caught up in it all, but I just have such a hard time saying no! I want to try everything! This is where my problem lies...curse you yummy summertime foods...

changes, changes, changes...

We have some big and exciting changes coming in our family. Aaron was recently accepted into OTS (Officer Training School) which means he's going to switch from being enlisted in the Air Force to being an Officer in the Air Force. We're happy with this opportunity and so proud of Aaron for being one of the few that were chosen. Part of this new opportunity means that Aaron will be going away to school starting on Nov. 1 and will be there until he graduates on Feb. 17, with a short break off for the holidays. Although we are sad to see him leave after just getting him back, we are excited for the opportunities it will bring, and happy that this time it won't be nearly as long. After Aaron is done with OTS he will have some more job specific training he will need to do, but most likely Abby and I will get to go with him for this, and then it will be off to a new base for us! I'm excited to learn where we will be traveling to next. Although ideally we would love to stay close to the kids (or perhaps get even closer) we know that wherever we go, it will be for the best. And so, right now we're in the waiting phase of his OTS acceptance. We know we'll be going somewhere, but we don't know where...but we're looking forward to it.

Recent Antics of the Summers family

So, I know I haven't posted in a while, but that's only because our lives have been so crazy lately! I'm in my last week of classes, so I think my brain is about ready to melt from over use. Aaron just started back at work last week and then got sick this week :(. And on top of everything else, Abby has been an absolute beast the past week. I'm talking screaming constantly and throwing herself on the floor for no reason kind of beast.

Aside from all of that, our lives have been wonderful! It's been so nice having Aaron back at home for this past month, and it feels like he never even left! :) The 2 weeks that he had off from work were especially nice for me(although I think by the end Aaron was itching to be back to work). We even took a long weekend vacation for ourselves and spent some time at the Cheyenne Mtn Resort and went up to Denver to the temple and to the Cheesecake factory for dinner. :) yummm

And now that Aaron's back at work we're just trying to get back into a regular routine. So that's been the last few weeks with the Summers!

blog post....

So...Aaron says that it's been too long since I posted...so here it is...yes, we are alive. :)

Craziness!!!

AHHH!!! I can't believe how fast the time is flying by! These last few weeks before Aaron gets home seem to pass me by so quickly! And I still have so much to do to get ready! So we're now at 10 days now!

On a separate, but somewhat related note, I love that Abby knows exactly who her daddy is. Today we were talking with him on skype and Abby and I were playing, and as we were playing each time she caught sight of her daddy she would say "hi dad!" I can't wait to see her see him again in person. :) I always wonder if she'll just run up to him, or if she'll hang back because she's confused over him not being in the computer. :) But I do know that she'll be ready with some giant kisses for him! We've been practicing that :).

I am so ready to have him home again. Granted, it will probably take a while to get re-adjusted and used to being around each other again, but it will be a good kind of re-adjusting. I'm excited to be able to share all the things I enjoy every day, especially in regards to Abby and all the craziness she gets in to every day :). I'm ready to get a good nights sleep (Although that's going to be one of the hardest things to get used to...only sleeping on my side of the bed :)). I'm excited to be able to cook dinners again. It seems as though I've only cooked about 3 dinners a week because I always have so much left over! And I'm ready to have a social life again! I always hate going out by myself. I've gone out on some girls nights, and a few people have had me over for dinner, but it's not the same as really socializing with another family because I always feel awkward about it being just me. But I think that the thing I am most excited for is just knowing that he's home and safe. I know that there are millions of ways for people to die, but there's just something about your spouse being deployed that makes you think about it a lot more.

So, in summary, time's flying, I still have a lot to do, but I am so excited for the next 10 days to be over!

long time no see...

Well, I suppose the title of this blog has somewhat of a double meaning. Firstly, because I haven't written in quite some time. Secondly, the actual topic of the blog: Aaron's deployment. It's kind of funny because everyone always asks me if the time has flown by. Honestly the answer would be yes and no. While discussing this with a friend who's husband is also deployed we came to the conclusion that the days seem to drag on, while it seems as though the weeks pass by quickly. And now with only 3 more weeks left of his deployment this seems especially true. On the one hand it seems as though we're walking through sand to get to the end of this, but at the same time, when I think of all the things I had planned to accomplish before he got back, I confess I'm starting to feel slightly anxious. But of course it's anxious in a good way! :) And of course I'll be happy to relinquish all of the mundane, everyday items that I have been taking care of in his absence and return to my blissful life of nothing but relaxation...ha! yeah, right! But I'm am definitely starting to count the days until his return! Speaking of which...22 days!!! I can't even believe it!!!

Stupid self control...

UUUGGGGHHH!!!! I hate that I have absolutely no self control! This past month I've been trying to do better at being healthy-eating better, going to the gym, etc. For a while I was doing really well and I even lost 5 pounds. This past week though...it's been tough...I don't know what's so different about this past week...it seems the same as every other week...but I find myself falling back into my old habits of over eating and staying up way too late. Then, of course I have no energy the next day and I feel like crap! Not to mention the 2 pounds I gained back... Obviously it's not a matter of not knowing what's best for me, because I do. I just choose not to do it. Why do I do that?! It makes absolutely no sense! It goes against everything I'm working for right now! I hear myself in my head as I reach for those pringles..."why am I eating this? I'm not hungry...I really shouldn't eat this..." and yet, I do! Why?! Why can't I just do what I know is best? Honestly, I think the worst part is that I don't feel better when I do this to myself. I feel great when I'm healthy and I have a good workout, and I feel good about myself! But when I loose my self-control, it makes it worse, not better! I feel worse! And not just mentally, I feel physically....uh...well, blah. ugh...I guess I just need to suck it up and do my best. Maybe since I have now admitted my weakness I'll be less apt to do it again :) one can hope right?

New Year's Resolutions...just a little late...

The past few weeks I've been trying to do better in certain areas: Exercising, Eating better, and keeping the house clean. I got a member ship at the YMCA and have been going to some workout classes to try to finally get this baby weight off! I love working out and this past week when I didn't go for a few days (due to -20 degree weather) I could definitely tell a difference in the way I felt!

The whole eating better thing hasn't been going as well. One of the biggest excuses I use is that it's just too hard to cook for just Abby and myself. (total bunch on crap!!!) The real reason is probably closer to plain old laziness...but it's a work in progress. I also found an online calorie tracker so that I would have a visual number of what I was eating. See...I have this tendency to just snack all day long. Which I suppose would be okay if they were healthy snacks, but they usually aren't. Having a record has helped me to stop the snacking because I don't want the extra numbers! I'll be sitting at the computer and think about getting something to munch on, but then I'll think "no! I don't want to put that in! If I eat that now, then I won't be able to eat as much of ...(whatever)".

As for keeping the house clean...anyone who has been to my house knows that I'm a lazy cleaner. Meaning, I only clean the things that need to be cleaned (ie the dishes...). I don't really put Abby's toys away, or put the clean clothes or dishes away. I just grab what I need out of the pile or dishwasher. So my current goal is to keep things clean. Doing the little things all the time instead of waiting until it's a major all day event to clean the house. So far...it's been 1 day...but I made my bed this morning! And Aaron would be happy to tell you that that is definitely an achievement for me!

Christmas and Abby's Birthday!

This past holiday season was definitely eventful! Abby and I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa in South Dakota! It was great being able to spend that time with the family. The holidays were fun and full of new things. Of course the most exciting was that it was Abby's first Christmas. It was so much fun watching her tear open her presents and watching the confused look on her face when she realized that the toy was in a box and she couldn't play with it. :) It was also great that we were able to talk with Aaron throughout the day. Although it was hard to spend christmas apart for the first time, being able to use skype has definitely made things easier.

Abby was cute as ever!

I don't know who liked Abby's toys more :)

And more exciting news...Abby started walking!!! Yay!!!

Of course we also celebrated Abby's first birthday! Abby and I met with Grandma for a special birthday lunch. She got to wear her new birthday outfit from her great grandma. Her Aunt and Uncle and her cousin came over for her birthday. And the most special was that her daddy was able to see her birthday through the miracle of skype!

Abby with her cousin Kayson

The mini cake that I made especially for Abby

the mini cake along with the full size cake for the rest of us

needless to say...she loved the cake :)

digging in!