Things are always changing!

Ok, so here I am again. I was absent for awhile because I could not seem to get the internet to work. All problems are fixed now (I hope). So, I should be posting more often up until Brian comes home. I have removed all the videos from here. However, they are all stil on youtube. Click this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KifYVimMuK0

And you can click on something that says "More from this user" off to the right and that will link you to all of my videos. I hope to post 2 more before Brian comes home, but I am rapidly running out of time! If any of you know Ross "the intern" Mathews from the Jay Leno show, I happen to be a "regular" at his blog. Anyway, honestly at the request of some of his other bloggers, I made a video of him with pictures from the blog. Amazingly enough I got a message from Ross (via his blog) that he liked it and at this very moment it has had 491 views!!! Also two other people (besides myself) have marked it as one of their favorites. just blows me away that strangers are checking it out...lol.

Guess what guys??? I did it! I completely changed my hair and it is wild, so not me! Brian wanted something different and he is gonna get it...lol. I didn't get the color I wanted (long story but let's just say German hairdressers do what they want, not always what customer asks). I will post before, during and after shots once Brian has seen me in person (as he does visit the blog).

Finally and most importantly the welcome home of Brian has changed AGAIN! "Higher up's" have decided that he can not just come straight to the house. He is the only one returning to this unit (2 others are returning to mannheim in general, but Brian will be arriving alone), so it is special that they will be doing a welcome home ceremony just for him. Even if he comes home in the middle of the night, the commander here is going to rustle up a platoon of soldiers to greet him. So this is how it is going to go down: his unit will pick him up (I can not even gain access to the area of the airport where he is flying in--not accessable to the public at all) and drive him to Taylor barracks (about 5 min from home). The Commander (who is actually a rear-det commander like Brian was 2 years ago) had told me I would be waiting in the basement (new location of FRG room for those of you that have lived here) while a platoon greeted him outside. THEN he could come down to room to greet us. I told Commander... "ummmm NO, I will be outside too" and he sorta blew me off and ignored me. So I emailed Brian and told him... and he so nicely reminded me, I am a civilian and I don't have to do anything the Commander says, so myself and the kids will be outside to greet him as he gets out of the van. All of this will take place NEXT WEEK!!!! That's right he is almost home (and told me I could mention the week just not the actual day here on my blog)!!!!

Anyway, I am so CA-RA-ZY busy, I need to get on it!!!!!

Wish me luck getting it all done!!! And I hope you get whatever you need done today too!!!

A Lot of New Things Coming Your Way

Hey have you noticed the videos??? Did you, did you??? They are really my way of expressing myself. I put my two favorite THINGS together (pictures and Music) and I get to look at my favorite people in the process. Once I make one of those videos I watch it probably 15 times in a row. To date I have made seven of them and I just figured out how to share. So, I am going to start putting up the old ones... wish I had done the old ones first, they are not near as good as my more recent one. Like anything else, I get better with practice. First I have to go through all the old ones and remove our last name since I have to publicly post these video's on YouTube in order to attach them here. Anyway, I am just now saving the video of Samantha in the "online/safe" version and I will post it here tonight, or tomorrow morning. So theses are the seven I have made in the order with which I made them:

A picture collage of all of us for Brian
another picture collage of all of us
One for Tristan
One with pictures of only Brian and I
One for Samantha
One for Keagan (posted)
One for the girls (posted)

Now, before Brian comes home I want to make two more (not much time left...YEAH!!!)
One of boys set to Superman music
One of all the things we have been doing since Brian went back to Iraq from R&R.

Hey I could use your help. I will not make one for Avery until she has gotten a little bigger, but I have yet to find a song that fits how I feel about her. Not many songs for baby daughters out lately. All the other kids had songs "for" them before they were born, poor Avery. Anyway, do you know any song that might fit how we feel about our baby girl? Suggestions are very much welcome!

Anyway, keep checking back for more videos, but please don't be too critical of the older ones, I was just learning how to use the video maker. Also if you see a weird picture (as in what the heck is that???) in the movie, it is because our name was on there and I had to block it out... nothing is wrong with your screen...lol.

Okay hopefully when you read this, Sammi's video is already up there. If not...SOON!!!

I hope your artistic outlet brings you as much joy, pride, pleasure, calm, stress reducing as mine does!! And if you have no outlet... GO GET ONE!!!

Avery's Birthday!!!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT???? I sure can't! my BABY girl is 1 year old!!! We had a great day. She woke up in great spirits, had eggs pancakes (minus syrup) and special drink (vanilla yogurt blended with banana's, raspberries and blackberries) for breakfast. Then she got dressed in her pretty little dress (that used to be Sammi's) and played a round a bit. Later, Ms. Tina dropped by to wish happy birthday. Then it was time to open presents. Nap time was next. Then she woke up and shortly after her best friend and birthmate Sabrey and her family came over to celebrate their birthday together. Avery had BBQ Chicken, broccoli and rice for dinner. A short while later, Ms. Tina came back and joined us in "Happy Birthday" to Avery and Sabrey. Then the girls got their very own cakes while the rest of us looked on, drooling! Avery had a great time eating all the pink icing first. She rather enjoyed making a mess, until I showed her the cake underneath the icing. She didn't enjoy that a whole lot, so it was time to take a bath! Earlier Sabrey had put her foot in the cake and didn't enjoy that very much. Avery saw her and copied. AJ didn't mind it on her foot, but she sure didn't like it when I uncovered the cake! After a quick bath it was time to play in her new robe. We had a GREAT time with our friends today and we are thankful for all the lovely gifts. I took SO many pictures that I deleted all the old ones on the picture page and couldn't upload all the pictures I wanted, just not enough room. Anyway, happy Birthday to my precious baby girl, I can't believe she is one, brings a tear to me eye.

A couple of night s ago we had a little excitement around here. Have any of you ever heard of a "Wind Warning?" I haven't, but we got one. The wind was blowing SO hard that my windows were closed, but the curtains were billowing out from the air that was forced through the seals. The kids (and I to be honest) were a little freaked out as we saw a branch or two rolling down the street. So the kids asked if they could sleep in the hallway, away from all the windows. I let them. Avery and I slept in the middle between our kitchen and livingroom, also away from windows. We are all fine, no branches breaking windows, but it some parts it did rip off roofs (not on base though). We went to the gym in the morning and there was debris everywhere!

Well please visit the picture page for all the new pictures:

http://groups.msn.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

You will see plenty of pics from her birthday, some others and the kids asleep in the hall.

BRIAN update: Okay so here is the plan NOW. Brian will be picked up by the unit here (I am not permitted to go to the airport) and since there is only a few people coming to this base, they will each be dropped off at home. So Brian will be coming straight to the house, no welcome home ceremony when he first gets here (his choice, they asked him if he wanted a little something, he said to just take him home). Eight days after her comes home there will be a formal welcome home ceremony in Hoensfels (sp?) which is about 3 hours from here. I will take pictures of Brian after he gets mauled by the family and I will get some at the ceremony and post them here. Alrighty then, I am off to have a little more cake and Ice cream and sob because my little baby is a little one year old now. Where did all the time go?

Thanks for stopping in, hope you have a messy, delicious meal today.

It Changes Again **updated**

**Brian tried to call and again couldn't get through. He emailed me and said he would try again tomorrow.**
The Army is sticking to it's ways by changing Brian's return again. The date is the same but the "procedure" is different. Now it looks like the guys from this area (Mannheim and Heidelburg) will be going to a place in Heidelburg for a welcome home ceremony direct from the airport and we can greet them there. Still, this is subject to change again. We are hoping to have a meeting with the local FRG leader on Wednesday at 1000 with the main FRG group. We should have more definitive information then.

In "Avery" news she has had an EXPLOSION of communication skills in the last 2 weeks. She isn't so much talking but using body language and following directions. If you ask her if she wants more food, she does a sign for "more" and will shake her whole upper body in a "yes." If she is done eating she will shake her head "no." She goes to bed very well for a little thing, but sometimes it is nap time and she would rather play, so she will shake her head "no" when I put her to bed, but she stays put and falls asleep anyway. She will also shake her head "yes" or "no" when asked (sometimes). She will also blow kisses when asked (sometimes) and we caught her doing it in the picture above. We get excited when she "communicates" so now she does the things she can a lot. Additionally she can follow SOME commands, but is not consistent. I ask her "Where's your binkie?" and she starts looking around and will grab it when she finds it. Or if I say "give that to mommy" she usually will give it up. I think she says "diaper" (though I have thought so for sometime). It sounds a lot like "DaDa" but instead of "Da" and "Da" sounding the same, the second "da" is a lower tone. She says this when she is running around carrying a diaper. Oh yes and when she is hungry she will say "NaNa" or fling herself sideways (think nursing...lol).

Tristan, Sammi and Keagan have been really enjoying this 4 day weekend and I have been enjoying it with them. WE HAD A FANTASTIC time with all the girl scouts here. 7 ended up coming, with Sam that is 8 and with my kids plus the other adult we had 13 people to feed dinner and breakfast. For dinner I had pre-cooked some chicken and steak strips and chopped up about 7 different types of veggies and made some rice. The girls (and my boys) got to pick what food they wanted and then cooked it up themselves in the wok. The other adult, Ms. Nina, brought a wok as well so we could do two at a time. Dinner was DELICIOUS if I do say so myself. In the morning we had special drink (vanilla yogurt, bananas and 2 types of frozen fruit), eggs, beef sausage and pancakes. Sammi (with some help) had her turn being troop "leader" and helped the girls earn two patches while at our house (on computer use and safety). That was a lot of fun too. The last girl asleep was Sammi at 1 am!!!! Crazy girl was still up just before 8. Meanwhile the boys and I went to bed at about 2200 and got up at 0630 (Ms. Nina is more of an evening person and slept in the livingroom with girls). The boys had a fabulous time playing on the computer in the back and watching movies all night. Avery loved being the center of attention. The girls were all aged in range from 7 (Sam is youngest) to 9 and they played with AJ and "ooohed" and "ahhhed" with her all evening and in the morning. AJ LOVED IT!

Well, tomorrow is my 34th birthday. I plan to cook nothing all day. Ms. Nina is taking me to lunch, and I am taking me and the kids to diner and then the movies (gonna see Night at the museum). Each of the eldest three bought me gifts and wrapped them by themselves. Ms. Tina is taking me to the brunch in Ramstein on Sunday, so I am really getting spoiled.

Brian is supposed to call here in a little bit. If he does, I may have another update today. He was supposed to call yesterday and then couldn't get a line out so I am hopeful, but not holding my breath.

Okay so this has been long huh? I have a bunch more photo's at the picture website. I deleted all the old save for one. There are a few of the Girl Scout sleepover and some of me, Sam and AJ playing. AJ and Sammi giggle so easily and the smallest thing makes them laugh... ah to be young.

http://groups.msn.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

Oh MY how could I forget MLK today!!! Happy birthday to him (as today is the actual B-day too I believe). I hope you all take a moment to reflect on how far we have come, and on how far we have to go to complete equality. I know I will.

More frequent I hope

Okay, I am hoping to post more often as the time draws closer to my man coming home. Besides there is a lot going on between now and then. Here's the scoop on Brian's return as I know it now and what I feel comfortable putting out there into the internet world (must think operation security you know). The plan keeps changing but the FRG (Family Readiness Group for you non-military types) liaison told me that the guys will all fly in and then vans will be there to drive them to their separate parent units. However, the lady did not know as of yet where on post the guys would be dropped off. So, I am going to meet him here on post, NOT at the airport. It is soon, very soon considering how long he has been gone. Once he is safe, i.e. in Kuwait I will post here when we expect him home. But please don't hold your breath there is still some time to go. At some point I will start doing daily updates even if I have nothing to actually write so you all will know what, if anything, is going on with Brian.

One piece of "Meghan" news. I just reconnected with a "lost" family member. He was never really lost of course, we didn't have a falling out or anything, but when you have a family, time can get away from you. Anyway, it was really nice doing all the catching up.

Since I try to leave all of you silent readers with a "hope" or "wish" (cause I am so pushy like that), today it will be this: in almost all families there are people we have "lost." If you have a "lost" one in your family I hope you connect today, or soon and it brings you a little smile, like it did me!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! (a few days late)

So, I will happily assume that all of you participated in safe New Years activities and you are all healthy and whole. We had a great time just watching movies and trying to stay up. We put baby to bed at her usual time and I fell asleep almost immediately around 2030, but was awake off and on as the kids were around me watching movies. Keagan was out when I woke up at 2200 and I fell right back to sleep. I woke up at 2330 and managed to stay up with Tristan and Sam to ring in the new year. We had an AWSOME view from our home of fireworks that the locals do off post. They did some HUGE cool ones this year. It was like a mini-show. The two big kids dropped like flies immediately afterward and I read for about an hour and then back to sleep as well.

On Jan 1st we declared a lazy day. These are fun for the kids, but it is hard for me to sit still and do nothing the whole day. NO CLEANING, NO COOKING, NO CHORES, NO NOTHIN' but tv, games, XBox and computer. So we snacked all day on some healthy, some not so much foods and I literally had a headache from doing nothing, but it was fun watching the kids enjoy themselves. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention, part of lazy day is no getting dressed either, so everyone stayed in their PJ's. So, we had fun and were stinky too...lol.

School for the kids starts back up on the 8th. I am genuinely gonna, miss them as we do have fun together. But, I will get a little more quiet time than I get now...LOL. Then again maybe not, AJ will be screaming for her siblings all day!

Next Saturday I will be having all the Girl Scouts in Sammi's troop (I think 14???) coming to spend the night and earn some computer try-it patches. There will be at least one other (maybe two) adult here with me. They will be sorta making their own dinner (I will have everything cut, they will fry up their bowl of veggies and meat) and learning about computers. I think it will be a lot of fun, but prayers for my sanity are welcome too...hahahahahaha.

Well, there are many cool things going on in this month. My birthday (go ahead "me" mention that yours is this month too), Avery's 1st birthday (I will have lots of fun pictures to post then) AND this is the last full month without Daddy!!! It has actually been one year TODAY since Brian left us for training (remember he came home for a few visits before he deployed, but he has not been with us daily for a year). YES he will be home NEXT MONTH!!!!!! Lots of pictures then too!!! The year has passed very quickly in some ways--I am brought to tears thinking about my baby being one--and so slow in others--there are so many things all the kids can do that they couldn't when Brian left and I have "grown" too.

We are all so excited about him coming home!!! But then we pack up and move almost immediately... lots of stuff going on!!! Okay prayer request for real this time... prayers for strength to help us ease the many transitions our family will face this year.

I plan to post more pictures at the picture page right now. Just a few. Keagan sleeping through midnight, kids looking out window, baby, and kids with baby. Oh yes there is some blue stuff in a few. that is an experiment/present of magically appearing action figures that the boys got from Grandmom and Grandpa. Hope you enjoy:

http://groups.msn.com/PilchFamilyPhotos

I hope that there is a headache free "Lazy day" in your future!!!