Meno Tidbits

first snow...

2006-11-02T21:19:00.000+01:00

Nothing like the first snow of the season...only it's November 2nd and I'm just not ready to deal with it. If someone told me that this deployment would bring new challenges 2 months ago, I would have been better prepared. Yeah, the hubby's job is different, gone are the days of dangerous patrols and convoys, but the mission is still as important as ever.

I have not been a good blogger lately...I spend more time on MySpace, LOL! I just wanted to update everyone on how the kids and I were doing...we're fine despite the snow. Koah was in awe of all the little flurries getting caught in his tiny eye lashes, while Jaeda could not fight the need to launch a few snowballs at me. Those of you familiar with Germany's weather...I think the snow is majorly early this year! three years ago, there was no snow, but there was the bitter cold, snow did not make an apperance till Dec 15th, I remember it distinctly, because it was the first time ever Jaeda and I experienced snow...we're island girls you know!

And now three years later, we have another member of the family experiencing thier first snow..my baby boy Koah! I gave him a tiny hand full, and he just let it slip through his tiny fingers. He and his sister are very excited to go outside and play in it, Jaeda has the sled at the front door already..I just hope the snow does not melt away in the night...I've included a slide show of this seasons first snow.

Create Your Own!

happy anniversary baby...

2006-09-14T00:56:00.000+02:00

Another year has come and gone and now I have been happily married for 4 years, to a man I have called my own for 11 years. I could go on and on about how wonderful he is, because I am a proud wife. I spent our 2 year annviversary alone due to a deployment, and 2 years later, I'll spend it alone yet again because of a deployment. Not to worry I got myself some chocolates...can't drink any wine! (still nursing) Wait a minute, I got some good sparkling apple cider...LOL! I've decided to share some of my wedding photos, besides the birth of my 2 kids, and the day I met the hubby, it was one of the best days of my life. So I dedicate it to the hubby! For he is and always will be "The man of my dreams...That came true". I love you baby!

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I created a Slide Show! Check it out!

2006-09-08T18:05:00.000+02:00

daddy's gone...

2006-09-08T10:37:00.000+02:00

Yes, the hubby has left for his second tour in Iraq. It's weird, we returned from our short vacation to Florida, and he hit the ground running. It's funny how we, or I for that matter, don't realize the things my soldier has to deal with. Jaeda, Koah and I were able to sleep in everyday until she started school, the hubby on the other hand, woke up at 5:30am the morning after we arrived to go to PT, talk about jetlag. I don't think he ever really got over it, until he left last week. The week we arrived back was full of pre-deployment this and pre-deployment that, The a week after we arrived back in Germany, he was off to start his year long deployment.

I was reminded of how I felt when I heard, he would deploy the first time, I was numb, and as the days got closer, I would cry when I held him, when we lie in bed, as we ate our meals, and heard him talk to our then 4 year old Jaeda. We had just arrived in Germany then, 2 short months later he was off to Iraq with Task Force 2/2 Infantry...I remember all the pre-deployment hoopla, but I must say 2/2 had all their ducks in a row, families were definitely taken care of, and that is why there was no question of me staying the year in Germany, it was now my home.

Fast forward a year and 1st ID, 3rd BDE, 2/2 Infantry, has gone, the colors cased. Now with the 38th PSB Delta DET, we start a new year long deployment. Once again I will remain at my home in Germany, awaiting the return of my soldier. However, this time, my neighbors around me are not on the same boat; I am not surrounded by a community of deployed spouses.

This time I went through the same emotions numb at first, then crying at any given opportunity, especially when I watched the hubby talking to our now 6 year old daughter, and a very young baby boy. He would pull on my heart strings each time he would say how sorry he was that he was not going to be there for a year, how he would tell Koah that he was going to miss his first steps, first tooth, any many more firsts. Jaeda is taking it the hardest though. She had a very emotional goodbye with her daddy. We watched him board the bus at about 5 pm, she was wide awake; unlike last time, he left at 4am, and she was half asleep.

Now a week and 2 days later, we still miss him very much. I'm still trying to get out of my rut, Jaeda still asks when he'll be back, and Koah almost breaks his neck when he sees a guy in uniform pass. (Guess he's looking for his daddy!) All in all we're getting by, we miss our daddy, our HERO!

rain on our parade

2006-08-16T00:46:00.000+02:00

This weekend was great..Except that our plans were changed when we were hit by some rainy weather. We venture from Florida up to my brother-in-laws house in Georgia, he lives about 5 minutes from Ft. Stewart. We reunited Friday evening and enjoyed some island style bbq! (people from Guam know all about it!) We started our Saturday morning off with breakfast at home and then we all got ready to head to the Savannah River Walk...When we finally reached our destination, we were hit with the most awful rain storm!!! Needless to say all we got done that afternoon was eat an over priced meal and walk back to our car in the pouring rain! Then we headed to an indoor activity...WE WENT TO A NEARBY MALL! We will have to make another trip up to Savannah one day to really take in the River Walk, Jaeda was so disappointed that she did not get to ride the boat...idk what boat but she was mad.

Anyone visit this area before? Let me know what I missed.

its a family affair

2006-08-12T01:35:00.000+02:00

Being in the military I'm sure everyone knows what its like to be away from family. It's been about 2 years since I've been home to Guam, and the hubby has yet to go back since OBC in 2003, so I guess that makes it 3. I'm a island girl down to the bone, and family is everything where we come from, to include extended family as well.

Being far from family has its advantages and disadvantages...namely in the babysitter alley. On Guam cousins, aunts, and parents were just a phone call away. Now to catch a movie is a carefully planned thing, unless you catch a movie that is kid friendly. One thing is for sure, being far from family has made me mature more, become independant, and concentrate on just my husband and children. It may sound funny but I was kitchen challenged before starting my family, I would not fry anything, some would even say I could not even boil water...LOL! But once I moved out of mom's, and had hungry mouths to feed, I became pretty good and providing a delicious meal for them...ahh thank you!

Every chance we get we try to visit with family, today we drove up to see my brother inlaw and his family..the first time ever we were finally all together, with both my hubby and his brothers children together...needless to say it is going to be a great and exciting weekend.

I cannot wait to see my family this Christmas, we have not seen eachother in about a a year and a half...I miss my mom, sister, and brother so much! We are all spread out that we're going to have a little family reunion ourselves this holiday season!

Family is very important to me, the hubby is going miss this holidays reunion, our sons first christmas, basically the upcoming year. He and the kids are my everything, and I just thank the Lord that he continues to guide and protect us.

So today..take some time out for the family, and I'll leave you with a quote from a famous mother to reflect on.

"If you want to make the world a better place, go home and love your family" -Mother Theresa

enjoying our getaway

2006-08-10T17:09:00.000+02:00

Only 2 days stateside, and I am reminded of both why I am ready to PCS, and why I love Germany so much!

Upon arriving from Germany, we started our 2 hour drive from Orlando to Jacksonville. On our way up, our stomachs were growling, so we decided to stop and eat late dinner. (the hubby wanted some fine American steak cuisine) The restaurant of choice..Road House Steak House...mmm. Lots of choices, not the usual German rumpsteaks with pommes or home fries, so the hubby got some all you can eat ribs, Jaeda some chicken nuggets (go figure) , and the inlaws and me steaks all around. Now if you've ever ate at a German Guest House, you know the steaks are huge,servings are large, and meals are dirt cheap! Out comes my steak and baked potato...it was a lil itty bitty piece of almost charcoaled meat, all that for what $15? Come on! But that's just spoiled ol me! I did however enjoy ice in my drink, and a huge dessert menu...apple caramel cheese cake!

Day 1-We decided to just stay in and recoup! I maybe 26, but I was so glad to watch MTV..I know, some may think I'm to old for it already...but I'm still young at heart, and enjoying watching it (guilty pleasure) I remember watching way back when they used to actually play videos on that channel..seems to be overrun with reality TV and advertisement now, but not to fear they at least have one full hour of music videos every 5 hours.

Day 2-We headed out to the MALL!!! Woohoo! I think my head must have been spinning, and every other isle you would hear me say..man I hate Germany! I think it's the shopping choices I have stateside that make me miss it. Other than that, Germany is a beautiful place to live, especially on our post (Rose Barracks Vilseck) I love the fact that I can let my daughter play outside, and not have to worry so much about someone abducting her..same as shopping in the PX there no real worry of someone taking her. Target, on the other hand; I don't care if my daughter cries because I won't make her run off, I'd rather her cry than to be kidnapped by some insane lunatic.

Driving...don't get me started! I had to remind the hubby that we were not driving on the Autobahn, he came out of the exit and was speeding up to pass on the right side, it was way to funny, he said "oops I forgot". We were watching other cars and how they were driving, then proceeded to compare German vs. American drivers. I had to admit after watching some drivers here not let cars into their lanes by speeding up, failing to yield, and not using turn signals; Germans have the upper hand.

So while I miss the simple life in Germany, I plan on exploiting this trip to the fullest; I mean my next visit will not be until December! So I have every intention of getting back to Vilseck broke!

Traveling with kids part 2

2006-08-08T15:20:00.000+02:00

Ughhh! My goodness! Thank God I had the hubby with me! Well, Jaeda was just fine, Koah on the other hand slept for only 30 minutes (the total time during the 8 hour and some minutes flight) He was just extremely uncomfortable, hot, and well I love kids...just not the kids that were too loud and crying on the flight that woke my baby!!! (well okay I love them too, I was just irritated) I guess the flight was just too long for the kids.

We started off the day at around 4:15am, hit the road about 5am...our friend was making good time on the autobahn when we hit a STAU! (traffic jam, on the autobaun) We were stopped on the autobahn..yes stopped, not a crawling. For the life of me I cannot understand how one of the fastest roads in the world had a traffic jam...come to find out there was a traffic accident and the polizei were investigating closing off a lil over a hundred yards of autobahn on a Monday morning. (I hope all in the accident are ok)

Once at the airport we made good time, flight was not leaving until 1145am, got to our gate, ate some brats and brochen for breakfast, we found ourselves being delayed for almost 2 hours...guess that added to the discomfort. But when it comes down to it, I'm just glad we've arrived at our destination safely...WE ARE IN FLORIDA!!!! (the greatest thing is..we're not jet lagged!) Let our vacation officially begin!

traveling with kids

2006-08-07T01:04:00.000+02:00

Well we're just hours away from taking our flight to Florida. The hubby and I always stay up so we can sleep during the flight...only now I forgot that I have Koah who we all know has other plans for his mommy :o) Koah will be having his very first airplane ride, we are all very excited, even Jaeda packed her own carry on ( come to think of it I better go and check whats in her bag!) All is safe a Game Boy, coloring books, crayons, and a very large "Circus Circus" Teddy Bear, that she calls..well Teddy. (for the life of me, I do not know why she loves this tacky bear...he is all red with the Las Vegas Casino's logo on it!)

I can no longer carry on just a purse with a few things in it, I have and entire diaper bag, and I've been submitted to carrying a wristlet with my id, credit cards, money and 1 very thin stick of lipstick...lol! This will be the first time I travel with a baby, Jaeda's 1st flight was from Guam to Georgia..and she was 3 years old, so she kept herself entertained with the onflight movies and games...Koah on the other hand will need some convincing that mommy's lap is his new playground for 10 hours. Luckily, I won't have to worry about having clean bottles...Koah is on the boob, and only the boob. (this kid won't take a bottle for his life..even a pacifier) So feeding time will be convenient. Any mom's out there know if those basket thingy's they have for infants on the plane are any good? or even safe? If not I'll let you know how it went.

All should go well on our flight...keep us in your prayers! We're off to Florida!

harder than i thought

2006-08-05T18:11:00.000+02:00

Gosh this blogging business is harder than I thought. I've already missed two days of posting...I swear I've just been busy. We're taking a lil vacation before the hubby leaves down range, Florida here we come! We've been running around doing last minute stuff, especially for the deployment...can anyone say POA? (power of attorney) Needless to say we have yet to pack, and have taken procrastination to another level. ( I swear I'll be done tonight)

Today we went out to the German-American Fest in Grafenwoehr, loads of fun! We decided to make day of it, spending time with other islander friends, I think we spent the day eating delicious snacks and food...ummm! If you have never been to a fest before, you definitely do not know what you are missing.

Okay, I do need to pack...we'll pick up on another note later

getting to know me

2006-08-02T21:17:00.000+02:00

Well let's see for those of you not connected to me by blood or hmm...geography, I've been pretty busy the past year. Let's see about a year and a half ago, my hubby was deployed for a year long deployment to Iraq with the 1ID TF 2-2 Infantry (RAMRODS..HOOAH!) It was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to experience in my life. I was a fairly new military spouse but dove into the life head first. We had just arrived in Germany when fresh off the bus we learned he would be deploying within 2 months...wow!

Needless to say I got through it, but not without any challenges or heartbreak. I have to say that it was the best learning experience I've ever had. I would not have got through it without the support of my family, friends, FRG, or fellow wives of the TF 2-2 Coffee group (SHOUTOUT! Miss you guys!) When the guys got back, 2-2 started packing up to return stateside. My very first experience of watching good friends leave due to a military move, another milestone in my life.

My hubby moved onto another part of his military career, Welcome to 38 PSB D DET! D DET welcomed us with open arms....my husband became the XO, fast forward a year and here we sttill are with D DET...my husband the Commander, and preparing for yet another year long deployment.

What is the difference this time? Well we are a victim or the dreaded STOPLOSS. That's right we were supposed to be headed out this coming November back to the good ol USA...guess not. Not only is the hubby in a different job, but we Meno's have went from 3 to 4. There is a saying that when it comes time for you to leave Germany you leave with a shrunk, a Cukoo Clock (did I spell that right?) or a baby...we'll we leave with a baby.

We welcomed Koah Joaquin on April 12th. I'll add pics as soon as I learn how to...take my word for it..he is a handsome lil one (has his daddy's cheeks..wink wink!) Jaeda is now in school, she'll be 1st grade. She has grown to be such a beautiful girl, and an outgoing...outspoken..out everything child. She definitely keeps us on our toes.

I'm guessing with the deployment, a new baby, and 6 year old, this blog will become my sounding board. Just do me a favor...keep my hubby, his soldiers, and my family in your thoughts and prayers always...Thanks a bunch!

Joining in on this phenomena...

2006-08-01T14:15:00.000+02:00

Well I guess I'm joining in on the whole blogger phenomena. To tell you the truth I've been thinking about it for a while, but have been rather busy..okay I was also dragging my feet. The whole purpose of me starting this blog is to have an outlet, as well as a link to friends and family spread out over this wonderful earth. (it will help with my writing skills as well :o) You'll have to forgive the fact that they are less than stellar.

About a week ago, Germany Time, I was flipping the channels (yes AFN has more than 2 channels) and came accross The View. Now I am not religious when it comes to talk shows, but they occasionally have subjects that are interesting to me. Back to the subject...The View, now if you have watched the View before sometimes you can't hear what everyone is saying cause they all talk at the same time, interupt eachother, ect. Anyhow they were discussing bloggers specifically at home moms, now they were all torn on the subject...some had the opinion that some were complaining about there lives and children and just nagging..and another said it was a good outlet and venting tool for the moms...I go with the second, this will be my outlet :o)

I'm a firm believer that if you don't like listening to certain kinds of music or watching tv shows turn the channel/turn off the radio, if someones thoughts or opinions don't coincide with yours...tough luck, stop reading, watching, listening. Everyone is entitled to be themselves, have their own thoughts, and opinions.

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind." - Dr. Seuss