COUPONS???

My sis, Jamie, asked me today about the coupons being good for an extra six months overseas. Does anyone have any information on this? If so, please let me know. If you have expired coupons, please save them until I get some information on this! THANKS!!!

MY RUNNING LIST OF ITEMS FOR CARE PACKAGES

By no means is this a complete list of items needed by our men and women overseas, but this is what I have come up with so far. I know that there are MANY that I am forgetting, so if you have any ideas, PLEASE send them on to me!!! :-) Any soldier would love to receive a package, so please feel free to use this for ideas for ANY soldier, not just Jamie. I am including certain snacks, etc., that I know Jamie would like/use.

Phone cards
Gatorade and other drink mixes
white socks
razors (Jamie uses Mach 3)
magazines, books
toothpaste/toothbrush
deodorant
shaving cream
hand sanitizer
mints/gum
room deodorizer
shower gel
playing cards
energy bars
dental floss
handheld games
foot powder/creams/ointments
mouth wash
crossword books/game books
pens and pencils
paper
envelopes (a good idea to self-address a couple!!!)
stamps
blank cards (for them to use to mail home)
pictures/posters, reminders of home, family and friends
packs of powder laundry detergent
dryer sheets
baby powder
sanitary wipes
calendar
sunscreen
lotion
aloe
sm. packs of Kleenex
disposable cameras
Tylenol/asperin
any travel size toiletries
tea bags
sugar packets
Snacks: jelly bellies, nuts, jerky, hard candy, dried fruit, pringles (won't break!!!), Ritz crackers, spray cheese, corn on the cob popcorn, snack cakes, freezer pops (unfrozen!), granola bars, non-perishable items.

Also, some other ideas, but I need to check with Jamie on this...I know that there will be places for him to get a bite to eat. I know that last time there was a Subway and a BK, so we just have to see what is available...but anyway, gift cards for any of these places would be much appreciated!
Phone cards are always great, but I was also thinking......I know, dangerous huh? I had a few people ask me what kind to get, etc, and to be honest I really don't have an answer...he does have a phone card that we add minutes to, so I assume you could also send a prepaid card of any kind and he could add the minutes himself. Does this make sense?

Alright, I am getting loopy tired, so goodnight!!!

Day 3, end...

Day three has come and gone without too much to report. We had a good day today. Rowan is going to sleep as I type this, and it is 8:16 PM. He still has his cold, and I am concerned that it may be leading to another ear infection. He has been tugging at his right and left ears for a couple of days. For his one year apt. with Dr. Milbrandt, I had her check for infection in his right ear, as he was tugging then at just the right side. She said it looked good, but of course this was also before any signs of the cold. It seems that when he gets a cold, it often leads to the upper respiratory infections and ear infections. We'll see. I am going to let it ride for about another week, just to be sure. Last time I was told it takes a cold TEN DAYS to run it's course.
We were off schedule today because we slept in so late. Lunch was brief and simple, and Rowan was not too hungry. Dinner was more like a buffet...lol Rowan ate some cheese tortellini, carrots and green beans, and cheese. He acted like he was still hungry, so I gave him some oyster crackers and banana slices. I was eating some minestroni soup, so I gave him a couple bites of that as well. I really need to make a concious effort to feed this child more MEAT! Dad was really good about making sure he ate enough while he was here, but since I don't eat meat, it is hard to incorporate it into his meals. To be honest, he really doesn't care for meat much...but I am trying to get him to eat it more. He does like sausage (YUCK!!!), but doesn't care much for hamburger...odd...he likes chicken sometimes, but chokes easily on it. He also seems to like ham, but who makes ham all the time??? Oh, and he really likes the meat sticks for babies, made by Gerber. They smell horribly...
I am pretty sure I just covered about 50 different topics in one paragraph. Let's hope none of my future, or past, students stumble upon this... They will have some pretty good blackmale for when they don't agree with a grade they get on a paper!

So, I am going to go and run some bath water, though I am not sure how it will work out because I went and tanned yesterday...YIKES, NEW BULBS, 20 MINUTES...not pretty. I look like a freakin' LOBSTER!

To my love: I love you with all my heart, even your faults...I can't wait to hold you in my arms again...AUGUST!!!!!!! Thank you Jenn and Lee for getting married and bringing my husband home! LOVE YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU
KISSES AND HUGS

Rowan ate strawberries!!!

I don't know why, but I have not been feeling too hot the last couple of days, and the only thing that really sounds appetizing is fruit...lots of fruit!!! So, Rowan and I have been devouring fruit for every meal! Tonight, I decided I would test Rowan with a strawberry. He did fine with it, so he got to eat some strawberry shortcake for dessert. He really enjoyed it, especially the whipped cream on top! :-) I know that strawberries are a big allergy food, but so far we are clear! PRAISE JESUS!!!

Also, Rowan is doing a lot of new things. I am thoroughly enjoying watching him find new ways to express himself and learn. He is learning that certain things are "good", while others are "bad". For example, he has discovered that picking up the dog food and putting them in the dog bowl is "good", while eating the dog food is "bad". When he does something that he knows is good, he turns to me and starts clapping, as if to say, "come on Mama, give me some recognition"...and of course, I am more than happy to oblige!
One thing that Rowan REALLY enjoys is music!!! This pleases me, as I am a bit of a music person myself! He loves to sing, and he enjoys dancing!!! He will copy me when I am singing, and whenever music is playing, his face lights up and he begins dancing. It is precious!!! American Idol Tuesdays is a lot of fun for both of us, which is WONDERFUL!!! :-) Jamie will be so proud...

04-11-08

Only three days down, and already I am trying to find things to do to pass the time...
Today, Rowan slept in!!! It is as if he understood that Mommy needed some rest this morning; he didn't make a peep until nearly 10:00 AM!!! Now normally, I would have been freaking out, awake, checking on him constantly...but this morning, I didn't wake up until I heard my little man calling for me, "Mama, Mama"...I looked at the clock and was amazed! We didn't even have breakfast until nearly 11:00, scrambled eggs with cheese, one of Rowan's favorites...so yeah, I am spoiling him a little bit!
Next on the agenda, a shower for Mom...I got ready, and Rowan needed a nap, so he stayed with Aunt Nanny while I went to run errands. I ran my aunt's errands for her, then hit the post office to stock up on flat-rate shipping boxes, two of each size thank you!!! :-) And next up, I was Wal-Mart bound. I thought it would be a cute idea to get some finger paint and construction paper. Each month, I want to send Jamie Rowan's hand prints on a piece of paper; that way, he can see just how much Rowan is growing! I will attach a picture taken that month of our little man. Hopefully this will help...I don't know, I am just trying to think of anything that I WOULD LIKE if I had to be seperated from my baby for 15 months. If anyone has any ideas, PLEASE SHARE THEM!!! I know there are a lot of creative Army wives out there, and creative I am not...I have never been creative, but I shall try...
So far, that is our day. Now I hear my little bug waking up, and he hasn't had lunch yet, so I am off to get some things done!