My "Tagged" List...

So, my friend Sara has this great blog that I check almost daily and the other day she was playing a 'game' with some others where they listed "10 things not many people know about me"...Now, within a specific group of them, they write out their list and then "tag" the next person. I wanted to think about a list like that for myself, so I told Sara to "spontaneously tag me", so I could play along! I'm so clever. These aren't all deep revelations, but things that not too many people know about me...here it goes:

1. I've always wished my hair could be like Julia Roberts in her "Pretty Woman" days...it's never worked and I've had some BAD haircuts along the way

2. I'm so cheap ("Frugal" sounds better, right?!) that I wash and re-use MANY of my Zip-Loc bags and aluminum foil squares to use later...

3. I love doing laundry and my favorite part is when I get to vacuum clean the 'Lint Tray' every few days...I love seeing that come clean with all the lint that used to be on our clothing...

4. I wish I could play tennis well. It's always seemed like a cool sport. I had a "Prince Jr" racket when I was in middle school. The head on it had about 4 square feet of area . I could do pretty well with that one. But, I haven't played well since.

5. I've watched "General Hospital" off and on since middle school...It's embarrassing, but I love to catch it just 2x/week or so...

6. I hate the ocean...it's cool to look at, but I don't like being in it at all...I DESPISE salt water on my face, in my eyes, etc...and I know I'll step on something slimy and gross...bummer that we're in the NAVY and will always live on/near the ocean. I much prefer lakes and mountains.

7. I wish I could be 'more granola'...not 'bra-less/shower-less/patchouli-wearing' granola, just a little less dependant on Target, grocery stores, malls, my laptop, etc...

8. If we "go for" kid #3, I'm asking for the epidural AS THEY are wheeling me into the check-in process. I feel no need to 'tough it out' anymore...bring on the bliss!

9. I could eat my weight in Jelly Belly jellybeans...I'm serious.

10. I love the smell of bleach and chlorine! I don't seek them out or sniff them in unhealthy ways, but when I walk into an indoor pool or pull out the bleachable-whites laundry, I'm very happy with the scent...=)

Visiting Friends...

This weekend we were in Virginia Beach, VA for Paul's (Erica's younger Brother) Wedding! While there, we got to visit with some WONDERFUL friends who were in Japan with us. In the military housing in Japan, they lived about 20 yards from us and we spent countless hours talking, helping each other out, watching the kids play, etc...and we were so THANKFUL for them during the long deployments, especially. When we moved into housing in March 2006, elise was 7 weeks old and Maggie (the mom) fell in love with her quickly. When we visited with them on Friday of last week (they're now stationed in VaBch with Navy), Ainsley had turned 7 weeks old the day before! Amazing what can happen in two years! It was so nice to visit for a couple hours and see their new home. Elise pretended that she was shy most of the time, but it was great to see her play with their kids anyway...we've missed them in the last 6 months! Now if only we could easily visit other "Japan friends" in Seattle, Kansas, Jacksonville, etc...(ok, I know the picture is sideways, but I have no idea how to fix it...so just tilt your head to see Maggie holding Ainsley)

Why we love being home from Japan!

Our two years in Japan were VERY cool in a ton of ways (most notably, the amazing people that we 'lived with' and the support structure of the Wives Club!!). However, Adam's schedule was so demanding while the ship was in port, in addition to appx 7 months/year that they were deployed, that we felt like we really missed out on being a "family" for 2 years. Unfortunately, that was the first two years of Elise's life. Being back in the USA with a normal 8-5ish job is SUCH A BLESSING! We're able to see each other daily, enjoy just hanging out, and Adam gets to be the dad to Elise and Ainsley that he couldn't while we were overseas. As Easter arrives tomorrow, we've obviously been reflecting on things we're thankful for, great things God does, etc... We truly are thankful EVERY DAY that we're back in the States and that we've been blessed with this family. I think God is pleased when we find pleasure in just being with the people He created us to be with. I love it. This picture is from Friday afternoon...Adam got home a little early and we walked up the street to the pond in our neighborhood. Elise got to cast her fishing rod for the first time into WATER (Adam put a hook/bait/bobber) on it. She had SO MUCH fun. Adam was truly 'in his element' teaching her how to fish. Ainsley and I sat on a bench next to them and just enjoyed the moment. Although no fish were caught (I'm glad for that! I hate slimy fish and feel so bad for them with a hook in their little lips! Don't tell Adam!), we all enjoyed the sun setting over our little pond and the time we spent together without cell phones, tv, etc...
HAPPY EASTER.

Easter Egg Hunt

Friday Morning (Good Friday) The "Moseley Girls" went to an Easter Egg hunt at the church we've been attending. We invited a friend we met at the park a few months ago and we had a great time! Elise found about 10 eggs and then got bored and just wanted to play on the slides...I (erica) ate a few pieces of her candy and we considered the hunt a success. =)

Birthday and Fishing...

Yesterday was Adam's Birthday (Yikes ...33!!) and he and Elise went shopping at the "Daddy Stores" (Lowe's and Dick's Sports) to give me a break for a few minutes with just Ainsley at the house. They came back and elise had her FIRST FISHING ROD! We weren't sure what she would think of the pink and blue Barbie plastic rod, but she fell in love immediately. It has a rubber fish on the end of the line now, but it can convert into a real rod if needed... They first practiced in the playroom as Adam showed her how to cast, and then moved outside later in the day. It was so cute to watch and a total blessing to see Adam sharing something that he so enjoys with his daughter. As we laughed at elise the other day at just one of her hilarious comments, Adam said, "She's so fun right now, if it weren't for the diapers, she could stay this age forever." So true.

Poopy

I (Erica) spent the morning raking and bagging leaves in our backyard...since that hasn't been done in 6 months, I ended up with over 10 Lawn and Leaf bags FULL of yard debris! Elise, being a great "helper" at barely 2 years old was playing in the yard the whole time, too. On a side note, she usually helps us clean up the dog poo by going near it and saying "Mommy...Gus Poopy Dare (There)". So, as I was raking and bagging, she kept saying it. "Gus poopy dare" "Gus poopy dare, Mommy"...after about 5 times, I tuned her out to get the work done before Ainsley woke up from her nap. Finally, I hear elise getting more insistent and coming near me, so I turn around to look at the pile of poop which is now IN HER HAND. She's so proud of herself for helping to clean up the dog poop that I couldn't get upset. Needless to say, we ran inside to wash her hands before resuming the "teamwork" in the yard. You seriously can't make up stuff as funny as what two year olds do on their own!

So, we're FINALLY starting a family blog...after MUCH prodding from family and friends. I'd love to say we'll update it weekly, but we'll see how that goes! Life is good...we love being back in the USA and having Adam home on a daily basis. =) Ainsley is now 5 weeks old and is growing and changing daily! We're already getting ready to move up to Size 2 diapers. Unreal. She's healthy and happy and actually sleeping pretty well most nights. Since I don't function well without a solid nights' sleep, this is a great thing. Elise is a HILARIOUS big sister, but I'll write more about that later. The Girls are stirring and I need to finish coffee first...sayanora.