Coming Home is Just the Best!

Ahhhhh. Home Sweet Home.  There is nothing like coming home and sleeping in your OWN bed with your OWN pillow in your OWN home.  It is always the best feeling. My welcome committee was pretty special as well.  I am so happy to be home and look at these cute faces that were just waiting for me......

Awww - Look at this cute little Juneau Labradoodle Boy

Juneau's Puppies will have their little eyes opening soon

Juneau's 2 little Girls

Trixie's Double Doodle Babies are almost ready for their new homes!

This Curly Boy is a complete LoveBug

Snuggle Buddy

Perfect Camera Pose

This boy is a soft big stuffed animal of love!

See?

Coming home is just the Best!!!!

Packed to the Gills

To say our car was packed to its maximum capacity would be a gross understatement.  There was simply NO room left.  In fact, we had a small cooler that we had to give to my sister to take home with her as we could not fit it in our car.  My nephew was quite happy with our lack of room because he got all the Reese's Cup Ice Cream cups.  With all our daughter's possessions, her uniforms, her USNA belongings, our Commissioning Week paraphernalia, and leftover food from the week's festivities - we headed on home.  The drive home took longer than usual as the roads were littered with accidents.  We couldn't believe all the delays.  The worst one was actually on the other side of the freeway. An entire dump truck load of asphalt spilled all over the freeway when the truck flipped over during the accident.  The freeway was backed up for miles and miles. In fact if you have loved ones traveling east on I-70 - they will definitely be late for dinner.  In addition to the overturned asphalt truck, we passed a semi truck that had to be completely engulfed in flames. It was nothing but cinders by the time we passed it.  It was a long drive home - but we made it safe and sound.  The puppies and doodle doggies were SO excited to see us. Our younger daughter did a most excellent job of caring for our little four legged loved ones at Yesteryear Acres so that we could watch our older daughter graduate.  I am not sure who was happier - the doodle doggies or my daughter! We were equally happy to see them too!  Now we get the fun job of unloading all the stuff.  Guess it will be a late night but tonight...we sleep in our own beds! Hooray!

USNA Graduation/Commissioning Day

Today we watched our older daughter walk across the stage and receive her Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from the United States Naval Academy. The Commandant of the United States Marine Corps administered the Oath of Office and with that, our daughter became a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps.  His request, "The world is not a nice place and you will be joining me in the fight. Welcome to my Corps- wear the cloth well."  My heart filled with pride as did my eyes with tears.  We then watched our daughter receive her first salute from Mr. Yesteryear Acres Dad. He was dressed in his dress white uniform and was beyond handsome. To have her Grandpa give her the first salute was so meaningful and in return her grandpa holds the silver dollar she gave him.  It is a day we will never forget. Our 2nd Lieutenant.  Be ready for pictures, pictures and more pictures when I return home!

Memorial Day

I cannot express enough the deep significance Memorial Day has to everyone at Yesteryear Acres. It is a holiday to remember those that have served. Today on this Memorial Day as we ready for tomorrow's United States Naval Academy graduation ceremony and the Commissioning of our daughter into the United States Marine Corps, being grateful for our servicemen and service women could not fill our hearts more. We took time out of our day to go visit the World War II Memorial. We walked around the memorial and read each of the plaques dedicated to those who lost their lives in the war.  We looked at the massive list of names engraved on the large granite pillars. We walked in silence and I held back the tears as I thought of all those who gave their lives to protect us. Thank you to those that serve. Thank you for the bottom of my heart.

USNA Reflections

This morning our daughter took us on a leisurely tour of the Naval Academy. We of course have been there many times before but this was a reminiscent tour.  A look back. A "remember when".  A "this is the last time we will walk these hallow grounds" tour.  We took one last trip to the midstore.  We took one last look at Tecumseh. We took one last look at the court in front of Bancroft Hall. We took our time and brought our camera and took a ton of pictures.  We took pictures of her Chemistry building.  We took pictures of the monuments.  We took pictures of the Ginkgo Biloba trees where she gathered leaves for her Research Project on Alzheimer's. We walked the entire Naval Academy grounds and took the time to appreciate her 4 years spent here. We had no other plans, no place to be, our only agenda was to spend the day reflecting, appreciating, remembering .....and now.....we begin to look toward the future.  The day after tomorrow she will no longer be a midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. The day after tomorrow she will be a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. We are ready.

MidMom Friends are the Best

This morning bright and early at 7am sharp I went to a big breakfast party with my midmom friends.  Through the wonders of social networking we all found each other as each of our children embarked on their 4 year journey at the United States Naval Academy. We became fast friends and have been there for each other through the highs and the lows. It has been somewhat of a roller coaster ride these past 4 years and we have been each other's greatest support group.  We gathered this morning for one last hurrah. One last chance to get together. One last chance to laugh and cry and reminisce and cherish all the times we have shared.  I think there were at least 30 of us at the breakfast and we chatted and laughed the entire party away. It was wonderful.  Even though our children will be taking their Oaths on Tuesday and then moving on to new amazing adventures, the friendships we have made will never fade. I have a feeling that we will be there for each other forever. To all my midmom friends....thank you for your friendship!

Cry?! Who Me? NO WAY!

I made it! Happily I have made it in time to Annapolis so that I was present at the Naval Academy when my older daughter received some special awards and recognition. I was so grateful to have been able to attend the ceremonies. All the way to the Naval Academy I assured myself - I would not cry.  All the way to the Naval Academy, I wondered why so many moms of midshipmen had been getting all emotional this week. Not me.  This is a joyous occasion.  This is a time to celebrate.  This is an accomplishment of a lifetime.  This is no time for tears! I arrived full of smiles.  How exciting!  I smiled while I met many of her midshipmen friends.  I smiled when I met many of her professors. I smiled when I met many of her military leaders, captains, advisors and other people of importance.  I smiled through the slideshow. I smiled through the small movie of what it means to be a Marine.  I secretly gave myself pats on the back for not having any tears roll down my face.  I thought, "I am really good at this!"  I watched my daughter walk up on stage to receive one of her awards from the Chemistry Department, when I thought...."I remember when she walked across the stage in 2nd grade to get her best speller award.  I remember when she got her Science student of the year award in 7th grade. I remember when......." Suddenly, I could feel my eyes filling up with tears.  I could feel all the love welling up in my eyes and the pride I felt for my daughter roll down my cheeks. I wouldn't call it "crying" but I confess, I was glad I had some tissues in my purse.  I think I better restock.  I feel a few more "I am NOT crying!" moments are going to hit me...like maybe as I write this blog.  I hope I can spellcheck through all this water in my eyes! Darn these allergies!

MISSING! Seven Dwarfs!

Such Sadness!  Such heartbreak! The Seven Dwarfs are GONE!!!!  Not too far from our house there is a hill that overlooks a turn in the road.  On top of the hill are statues of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  They are completely hideous statues but from the very first time I saw them, I felt the need to wave.  Then I felt the need to make my kids wave. Then it became "THE LAW"! You are not allowed to go on any road trip or return from any road trip without waving to the Seven Dwarfs.  Of course the kids all balk and moan but no matter how much they protest, waving happens.  One time my son was adamant that he would NOT wave but as we were just passing by the Seven Dwarfs, there went his hand back and forth, waving.  I mean you just can't drive by and NOT wave.  You can't do it.  It is a huge tradition now and we all get ready as we approach the hill.  It is time for THE SEVEN DWARFS...MOAN...GROAN....PROTEST....WAVING!!!!  Waving with enthusiasm!! Today, as we drove by, eager with waving anticipation......THE DWARFS WERE GONE!  Instead there was an EXCAVATOR on the hill and NO DWARFS!  ACK! Who did this?!?!!! Where are my Dwarfs????!!!!   I immediately called my kids to tell them the horrible news.  Each one of them is in mourning.  Even my son was sad they were gone.  sigh.  I guess we will have to find a new tradition. Anyone know a place where 7 lonely ugly dwarfs and one half faded snow white might be hanging out? We miss them already!!!!!

SEVENTY DAYS??????

As I was driving to the store this morning I noticed a brand new construction sign. It is bright orange.  It has BIG BOLD letters.  It spells D O O M.... "NOTICE: This bridge will close starting June for SEVENTY DAYS" 70 days? CLOSED.  NO bridge??????!!!!! For the entire summer?????  Are you kidding me? I can't tell you how much I am looking forward to that. Instead of driving on my road for 5 miles on a nice straight little path to get into town - I can go ALL THE WAY AROUND THE WORLD to get there.  My 10 minute little trips to the store are no more. This will be a huge inconvenience.  My son runs cross country and has to be at the school at 7am most mornings during the summer. The bridge is located right before the turn to go to his school. ACK!  I will have a road trip to get there now. ACK! UGH! WAH! I must study Google Maps. I must come up with an alternative route. There has to be a way that won't take as long as I fear it will take.  If I don't find a good route......my son might want to consider Triathlons! Yes!  That is the ticket! He should become a triathlete!  He can work on the swimming training right away! I will drive him right up to the bridge, he can jump out of the car, dive into the river, and SWIM to cross country practice!  Yes! I am so brilliant!  I came up with a solution so quickly!  No road construction worries for me!

Left Behind

This is the BIG week.  The week that leads up to the single most important event in my older daughter's life. In exactly one week from today, my daughter will walk across the stage at the United States Naval Academy and receive her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.  This IS Commissioning week.  Four long hard dedicated years have led to this moment. Upon receiving her diploma, she will also be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps. It is a huge momentous occasion for my entire family. We had hopes and dreams that we would all be together to witness the big celebration. We had hopes and dreams that we would be able to leave home without worrying about the puppies and doodle doggies. We had hopes and dreams that we would all be together when the midshipman covers are tossed into the air. Then Reality came knocking on the door.  How can we all leave the puppies and doggies behind without one of us being here? The puppy poop needs cleaned up every 15 minutes.  Yep - 4 times an hour is how often we do the fun puppy poop patrol. The double doodle puppies need to go outside every 2 hours for a potty break.  Every 2 hours.  Not 3 or 4 or whenever someone feels like it.  Not after a movie is all over but many times RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE of a movie. The mommy doggies need to go outside just about every 2 hours as well. The doggies need food, the doggies need love, the doggies need someone here all the time.  It is a lot of work.  We could hire help - but no one cares for our doggies like we do.  It isn't just a job to us. We pour our hearts into our work out of love every hour of every day of every week of every year. There are no days off. And so...someone has to stay behind.  One of us will miss the big graduation ceremony. One of us will miss seeing our loved one reach her dream. It is really sad but it is what we all signed up for when we decided we would care for and love living, breathing, loving, little four legged creatures. Doodle doggies and puppies never know if it is Christmas or a special Birthday or a Wedding or Commissioning Day. They just know they love us - and we love them. And for the really big question, that has been asked many times...........
Dear Mr. Yesteryear Acres Mommy,
Dear Mommy of mine,
Dear anyone else who is worried (my sister) .........
No. We do not know who is staying behind. We don't have that worked out yet. No. It isn't an easy decision. Yes. We do think it is sad. Yes. We do wish we could all be together. Please don't fret. Just remember - the hard working values of our family, the devotion, the determination, the loyalty, the commitment, are the paths we choose to follow every day.  We are blessed.  Our older daughter will now be a 2nd Lt. in the Marine Corps. She will be the most hard working, devoted, determined, loyal, committed Marine Corps officer and we all (whether at home or at the ceremony) couldn't be happier or more proud! Semper Fi! Always Faithful!

Puppy Monday Happiness

Hey! It is Monday! That means....................
PUPPY PICTURES!!!!!
Everyone loves Puppy Mondays!  The puppies were very good models and did great on today's afternoon photo shoot. Look how much bigger Trixie's Double Doodle babies are this week!  They will be starting solid food now and will really start to grow. Awwwww such cuties!

Oh! I like this grass carpet!

Oh! I like this lap better!

Hey! Who is calling us?

Mr. Yesteryear Acres! You give the best kisses!

In just a few more weeks - I will be ready for my new family!

I can't wait to meet them!

Juneau's little babies didn't want to be left out. They say....

"Nap time is the BEST time!"

See you next week!

Double Trump!

Mr. Yesteryear Acres pulled the trump card on me yesterday!  Here I was, trash bags in hand, boxes at the ready, ready to tackle my son's room.  We had just got in a nice groove. At the very start of the massive excavation, my son was all, "I don't want to" and "This is so boring" and "I hate working inside".  We JUST got past that and were starting to make some headway when Mr. Yesteryear Acres called. "TIME TO GET THE HAY IN!" What???? Hay? NOW?!?  UGH! Mr. Yesteryear Acres needed our son to start mowing the hay field RIGHT NOW.  You know the ole saying about making hay while the sun shines. Well evidently this weekend the sun was shining brightly and instead of "let's tackle that bedroom" - it was, "Let's make Hay!" ARGH!  Now how can that be more important? How can Hay - which needs to be cut, and bailed, and stacked before the rain comes be more important than cleaning a room that has been a mess for months? Yes. I know. Hay IS more important. And the worst part was - the HUGE GIGANTIC SMILE on my son's face! He was SOOOOOO excited to have to go mow the hay field. Evidently that is WAY more fun that being cramped up in a room CLEANING all day.  He was gone in a blink of an eye.  I thought I would keep cleaning and working when....DOUBLE TRUMP CARD! The puppies all needed their nails trimmed and the bedding all changed and the toys all cleaned. Yes. Puppies trump room cleaning  too! Oh well. At least we got a ton done and it looks like we might get the hay in on time. There is more raking to do tomorrow and maybe we can start baling. Never a dull moment here!!!!!

Wish me Luck

Please send a squad, ambulance, fire truck, rescue division, superhero or any other supernatural power you might have available if you don't hear from me by tomorrow.
I
Am
Entering
My
Son's
Room
Yes the excavation has now made it to the border of my son's room.  I am heading in there now.  We are going to clean it.  We are going to stay there until I see carpet.  We are going to stay there until his clothes go IN his drawers.  I may never return.  I may not make it out alive. Your thoughts are much appreciated during this disturbingly dark treacherous scary time. It was nice knowing you all. Until we meet again.......

All Gone!

Lady's puppies are getting bigger and they are now eating solid food.  They have quickly adjusted from, "WHAT IS THIS MUSHY YUCKY STUFF YOU ARE FEEDING US!" to "YOU ARE THE MOST AMAZING PERSON EVER TO BRING US SUCH DELICIOUSNESS!"  This morning they ate their entire breakfast and licked the bowl clean!  They all wagged their tails at me with a big "ALL GONE!" look on their faces.  Lady was ever so helpful in cleaning her sweet little puppies up.  She got every piece of gruel and licked her puppies clean while her tail was wagging the whole time.  When her puppies were all clean - she looked at me with a big "ALL GONE!" look on her face. It was definitely a happy "All Gone" morning for us all. I had that same look on my face.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres handed me my morning cup of coffee and I did NOT set my coffee down.  I didn't let go of my mug.  I didn't inadvertently misplace my precious cup of java today. Oh no...I cherished my coffee.  I savored my coffee.  I didn't put my mug down until I had the "ALL GONE!" look on my face! All Gone.... All Happy!

TWO days in a row!

I mentioned that I was busy cleaning like a mad woman trying to get my upstairs back in order.  It is a really big task and I have been ever so devoted.  I haven't answered my phone. I haven't taken lunch breaks. I haven't even hardly taken bathroom breaks! I just wake up in the morning, throw on old working clothes and get busy. Yesterday I set my DELICIOUS cup of coffee that Mr. Yesteryear Acres so lovingly made for me on my daughter's vanity.  I planned on drinking it while I worked. It was 6:45pm....as in 6:45 in the EVENING...before I realized...I NEVER DRANK MY COFFEE!  WAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was like, "what is missing in my day????? ACK! MY COFFEE!!!!!!"  I couldn't drink my coffee at that late hour as I would never be able to sleep - so I had to pour my entire cup of coffee down the drain.  Sadness!!!  Mr. Yesteryear Acres puts just the right amount of sugar in my coffee. It isn't even regular sugar. It is raw brown sugar that I love.  Mr. Yesteryear Acres puts just the right amount of cream in my coffee.  It isn't regular old cream. It is heavy whipping cream.  My Coffee is always heavenly!  Today I vowed to not make the same mistake!  I carried my coffee upstairs.  I put it down on my nightstand so I could sip it while I worked. WAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It was 6:30pm tonight before I realized I DID IT AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!  What the heck?  Who forgets to drink coffee????!!!!  This is insanity!  Tomorrow morning, I vow to DRINK my coffee BEFORE I work.................I. Must. Have. Coffee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Massive Excavating Continues

All our house projects here have been on kind of a standstill as we waited for Mr. Yesteryear Acres to finish restoring the master bedroom.  We had our furniture kind of stashed all over the upstairs.  Our poor son's room looked a bit like a warehouse.  He suffered the worst of it as we had our dressers and clothes and all sorts of our belongings stacked in his room.  The kids playroom upstairs was also completely buried.  So now that our bedroom is done, and all our furniture and clothing are back where they should be, the rest of the upstairs looks a bit like a disaster area.  We kept shoving things here and there while waiting for the bedroom to be completed, and now it is just a complete mess.  We have been working diligently every day trying to get our upstairs back in beautiful order.  I have been selecting a quadrant of a single room every day.  I have my task. I have my goal. I come armed with bags and dusters and boxes and vacuums and then I get busy.  We have been making huge progress and things are finally coming together.  Today's project was the attic. UGH.  My daughter and I moved box upon box upon box and sorted and stacked and cleaned and swept.  It was an all day project.  We didn't even come down for a bite of food until after 4pm and then went right back to work.  My entire body aches.  Even my fingertips are sore!!! I hope I can walk tomorrow! If not - I might need a day off! Excavating is hard work!!!!!

Happy Tummies!

Yea! My daughter made..................COOKIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! FOR HUMANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yes! Joy! Happiness!  COOKIES!  Last night when we were done working for the day and were completely exhausted, my daughter said she would make Mother's Day cookies.  I said, "No, you don't need to do that sweetie." I said, "I know you are tired, please don't bother."  I said, "Really, it isn't necessary." I said, "We don't need cookies."  Of course after each of those sentences I added, "But I do LOVE cookies".  And one or two times I might have mentioned that Cookies = Happy Tummies.  And there is a distinct possibility I might have added, "Cookies are my favorite dessert."  I am sure I didn't put ANY pressure on my daughter to make cookies though!  Last night, as we were watching a movie.....we had COOKIES AND MILK! They were SO scrumptious.  They were SO delicious!  They are actually calling me right now!  COOKIE TIME!!!!!!!!!! YES!

Mommy's Day Stork!

We have a very smart Labradoodle Doggie!  She can read! Our cream Labradoodle Juneau looked at the calendar yesterday and thought, "Oh! It is Mother's Day!  I better get busy!" Yes, Our Mother's Day was extra special as we welcomed new baby labradoodle puppies into the world.  We have a beautiful assortment of caramels, creams and caramel reds.  Juneau did a great job!
Here are the new babies

They are the cutest little bundle of love!

Lady's Double Doodle Puppies made their first adventure outside.

They snuggled up with Mr. Yesteryear Acres and enjoyed the sunshine.

The grass is tickly!

Trixie's Double Doodle Puppies are getting bigger

And are as cute as can be

AND

If you were wondering what it looks like

when you are offered

help

in taking all the puppy pictures........

Is this helpful?????

How about this? They don't need their little faces in the picture. 

They need KISSES!

Happy Monday!!!

Greatest Love

Without a doubt the greatest love is the love that stems from being a mother. The moment my first child was born, in that instant, the love in my heart was boundless. The exact second my daughter was born, I knew I would love her with a voracity that would never diminish.  It filled my entire being.  That love only increased when my next daughter was born and then with the arrival of my son, my love grew again. To say that being a mother is the greatest joy in my life would be an understatement. It is the greatest love I have ever known and brings me the greatest joy in my life. I love them unconditionally and I am so very lucky, because they love me that much back. I have been blessed with the three most amazing, wonderful, loving, thoughtful and caring children. This morning as I was wished, "Happy Mother's Day" my thought was, every day is Mother's Day to me. I am grateful every day that I am their mother and every day I am thankful to have them in my life. They are my world. Happy Mother's Day to my mom, Mr. Yesteryear Acres mom, and to all the moms who shower our world with love. And to my own children.......no matter how big you get.....you will always look like this to me

Thanks for making every day Mother's Day!

COOKIES

I love cookies!  Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter, Oatmeal, Snickerdoodles - it doesn't matter. I love cookies!  I am like COOKIE monster how much I love cookies. Cookies are one of my favorite desserts! Today was COOKIE day. My daughter said she would make COOKIES!  Oh my. Such joy! Such happiness.  My tummy did a happy dance.  I waited all day for the cookie goodness.  I wondered with eager anticipation what kind of cookies would she make.  My mouth watered at the mere thought of my COOKIE HAPPINESS.  Finally, I heard the timer! Cookie time was here!  Mr. Yesteryear Acres was the first in the kitchen.  He grabbed a hot cookie off of the cookie sheet and shoved it in his mouth.  My daughter yelled, "NO DADDY! STOP!" He thought perhaps she didn't want him to eat all the cookies. Or maybe she didn't want him to burn his mouth. But that was not the case. My daughter said, "THOSE COOKIES ARE FOR THE DOODLE DOGGIES!"  Yes. That is right.  It wasn't cookie day for HUMANS.  It was cookie day for the DOGGIES. She made homemade peanut butter pumpkin dog treats for the doodle doggies.  Not cookies.  Not for us.  Not cookie day.  Oh well.  The doggies all said, "OH GOODIE!!!!!!!!!!! COOKIE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WE LOVE COOKIES!"  They are all very happy. The only question is....where are MY cookies!?  Oh dear daughter.... tomorrow is Mother's Day....hint hint.  HUMAN Mother's Day.  HINT AGAIN.  PLEASE MAKE COOKIES! Thank you.