Adjustments...

I am slowly adjusting to the thought of the new President Elect. Like everything in my life I will try it. And if I enjoy it, cool. If not, I will be joining my friends in Canada. Yes, I said Canada. I have even heard Mexico. I better learn to home school if that be the case. Again, no matter what I say or do..it will happen. And it will happen fast.

The boys are killing me with laughter! Squeaky has taught himself to sit up in his swing now. Then he rocks back and forth getting the metal to clink on each side. And to go faster! It's funny, but I will say maybe it is time to get rid of the swing.

Chase is such a good big brother! He's so very attentive to midget, but he has his moments. Today he thought it would be cute to let go of Squeaky while he was standing. So Squeaky stood alone for two seconds and then...SPLAT! Right onto his poor little face. But he's OK, and Chase is OK *after a short bout of crying from being upset*. And they will move on.

I'm off here to go tend to the boys. Nap time is a blessed time for my household...lol

How do I feel?

Well, how do I feel about the new President Elect? I'm scared. I'm nervous. I'm unsettled. I am unsure of the next four years.

I did my research and I am still not positive this is who should be running the country. I am scared for my Husband's career and where that will possibly end up. He is not a big supporter of the Military. And that means millions of other families including my own may suffer from anything this man puts out there or on paper.

His politics on taxes has me nervous. The only thing I foresee as positive is that I will be going to college for about three years after my husband gets home from Iraq. So once I graduate and start working I plan to go into either ER, Correctional or Travel Nursing and all three of those lead to the direction of approximately $72,000 a year. Easily. And with the field my husband plans to go into after he gets out of the Army, we can add about another $50,000 to that. And *poof* There is that magical tax bracket! I have heard some people say that he is only looking at big industry to tax. I have heard others say $250,000 and higher. But what I have read on snopes.com and various other places is those who work will pay. And pay dearly. And that scares me. Why would I work so hard to get somewhere to have to pay because I rose above?

I am unsettled because I just don't know where this will all end up. I can handle change. Especially being an Army Wife. I get change more than I get schedule. I cope. It's my life. But it's scary. Very scary to think I have absolutely no idea what in the world is going to happen to my children, husband and mine's futures. And that bothers me immensely.

My mother has always taught me to fight for what I believe is right. And so this is where my fight will strongly begin. For my children's futures. For my husband's uphill career. For my career should something happen to him.

For our lives.

A new President.

And Chase is not happy at all. Mom, everyone is going to lose their jobs now. My house is sparkling clean because I am unsure how to handle this. I'm still thinking it through. There is not a thing I can do about his becoming president. I voted, I did my part. We shall see how things go in the future with him. I'm putting my thoughts together and will have more tomorrow for everyone.

Will this day end?

No school today. Election Day. And I even sit now and refresh my browser every 5 minutes to keep track. I'm talking to my friend Tonia who is busily doing her daughter's homework..commenting on how blue her state map is looking. It's that time of year when we are looking for that new President. That person who is going to lead us to the new world. This person is going to get us out of the *recession*. This person will fix our health care crisis. This person will either make or break our Soldiers and their families. Either way, this person will lead the country.

But our day started out VERY early. 0630 to be exact. Both boys decided that is what time they were going to get me out of bed. So I did, up and out of bed I went. Showered, straightened up the house, boys dressed and out the door we went to tackle the day. Which started with breakfast at George's. Good, healthy and filling breakfast in us and off we went to conquer the polls. Which I did! I got in there and I voted for McCain/Palin. And I said a little prayer while I cast my ballot. This is the very first time I have ever voted and I feel very proud. Very, Very proud.

That tackled, it was off to *bad mommy class* as my wonderful friend Matt put it. As I cast out the bad people in my life, it makes room for the classier and more positive ones. Thanks Matt for being a great friend and so supportive of this Army Wife. It is very much appreciated. So into class I went, and into daycare right next door for my boys. We all survived the separation and at 12 we headed out the door and off to get the car fixed.

I had received a notice in the mail for an auto recall on some parts for the Avenger. So I get in there to have it fixed and she informs me there are 3 recalls, not just one. It should take about 2 hours Mrs. Kelley. I need to be out of here by 1445. We were out within the hour. Disch Auto in Moosup is very efficient! So out the door we head to our next thing.

We have an hour to kill so we headed over to Michael's Arts and Crafts. Bought a couple of things to scrapbook with. Even got Chase some stuff to scrapbook a page for himself with. He chose a pirate motif so we shall see how it goes. Or if he gets bored with it. I doubt he will. He really thought out the stickers and page he wanted. And then off we went to our last thing for the day..

Chase's counseling appointment. Which went OK. He was a little upset when he left but we handled it together. He is mad at his father for not talking to him. For not being a good dad. Not Jim, the other one. It broke my heart that he is realizing all that is going on around him now. Or maybe he has known for a long time and just recently chosen to let it out. Either way, I will be here to help him through it.

So now I sit in front of the computer, writing my blog and watching the polls change. And change some more, and one more change here and there. And I note how close the numbers are. And I pray that a good person will take over the White House.

Mom..are you voting?

Yes, honey. I registered to vote. Well, that's good Mom, but don't vote for the brown guy.

I was a little caught off guard when my 7 year old said that as I picked him up from school today.

Why? I had to find out the reasoning's behind this commentary. Well Mom, he doesn't put his hand on his heart when it is time to say the Pledge of Allegiance or The Star Spangled Banner plays. So he's not a real American Mom.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I turned away so he wouldn't see them. You see, when we were stationed in Germany whenever the sun rose in the morning they would play Revelry..and when it sunk low in the evening they would play Retreat and To the Colors. And everything outside would stop for that moment as though frozen in time. Cars would pull over and people would get out. Conversations would stop. And we would all face the flag. Children and adults alike would stop everything and admire our Great American Flag. And we would be proud. And salute.

Even in the movies we would all stand and put our hand over our heart in pride to The Star Spangled Banner. When Chase and I came stateside and went to a normal theatre we both felt stupid when we stood right before the movie started. We were so used to paying homage that even now over a year later we still try to stand.

And every morning Chase and I still say The Pledge of Allegiance to our little flag in the house. Because that tradition should never die in a true American.

Now, on another note. Squeaky has gotten over his rashes. Come to find out he had a mild reaction to the flu shot he had received last Monday. I had my Dr take a peek at him while we were getting my flu shot on Saturday. So he has been getting some small dosages of Benadryl to relieve the hives and itchies. And did I mention this boy just loves his bath times? I finally was able to get him to sit on his buttocks in the bath tub. I kid you not, he splashed for 20 minutes straight until the water started to turn cold. And then he was angry as heck because I had to take him out. I put some pictures down below for your entertainment.

Right now it's time to head off to Karate..One more quick note..Karate ended early today because the laundromat 2 doors down caught on fire. All got out OK, and just a few patrons of the laundromat had smoke inhalation issues. Per usual, Chase is absolutely wired now..Ugh.

Halloween!

We had soooo much fun yesterday! I got the boys dressed up and we headed over to George's for a little dinner. This is a tiny diner where all the waitstaff love to see Chase and Squeaky! We had something to eat, and then off to Grandma's house! Big Trick or Treat gifts there! Chase got Ironman and Squeaky some teething rings...:) Out and around the neighborhood for some trick or treats. And then off to our neighborhood for some more trick or treats. Oh, and then Aunt Heather called..They only had 2 treaters so off we went to Aunties house. Where Chase got more than he needed of candy.

Home to the nice warm house. I can't say anything bad, the weather was a little warm. No wind. No rain. No snow. Just perfect for trick or treaters to enjoy! In went Ironman, and off to sleep went the boys. Nothing like a really good movie to put you to sleep!

Today, I have to head out and get my flu shot. Then sports and off to do some final Christmas shopping stuff while Auntie Heather takes the boys to a Midget game or something. So away I go!

An Award?

Yes, an award. That would be what Chase brought home today. He recently did a Yankee Candle fundraiser and for only have 9 days to do it, the child raised $530.00. I was very proud of his effort and it felt really good to see how happy he was today when I picked him up. He said in a pretty loud voice..*I got an award today Mom*. I asked him what for, and he said..*selling candles*. He was so calm, but you could see the excitement in his eyes.

What was his award for? He was the second highest seller in the second grade section of the fundraiser. Apparently he missed first highest by $10.00. But he did a great job and I am very, very proud of him.

Next bit of good news is that his teacher is noticing a positive difference in him in the mornings. So this means to me that the medication is starting to work. And I am so far, knock on wood, not seeing any negative side effects. This is good. Very good.