Seperation Anxiety!

This has been a sad day for me. And a happy one as well. We, our family, fought, cried, played, fought, cried, played..... kind of a viscious cycle. Everyone is stressed. Tomorrow is the day we leave Matt and won't see him until August. Never been away from him that long before. He's heading for Baghdad next week.

Olivia is not taking it well. She knows what's happening but her stress has manifested itself in temper tantrums and a lot of crying. It has been difficult to deal with because we, Matt and I, don't know how to deal with it. It has really worn both of us down. And I dread dealing with it on my own in the next few months. We tell her we love her. We hug her. We reassure her. We play with her. We try to reason with her. And we pray with her. She is such a sweet little girl who is having to deal with a big issue.

Samantha is oblivious to Matt leaving. But she does pick up on the stress in the family. She is a shining light for all of us. She brings laughter to the mix. And she is a new toddler so that brings a whole new set of problems! But it is fun to watch her grow and learn.

I am a mess. Emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually. But I know I have to take it day by day. I know Matt loves me and the girls. I know I can do this seperation thing. And I have my family to give me backup! I'm not the first woman to send her husband a world away and I won't be the last. We have prepared for what's ahead.

Matt is strong. He is excited for this new adventure. And he is very sad to be leaving us behind. I know he worries about me and the girls. I am proud of him.

We may not have it all together but we are a happy family! We love each other and that's what counts! Pray for us in the next year.

Washington, D.C.

Tonight Matt, Samantha, Olivia, my brother Casey and I had dinner together at a Korean restaurant in Annandale, VA. It was good.

But after was even better! It was getting dark but we did a quick tour of Washington, D.C. for Casey. He hadn't seen much of downtown and so we went! Got to see the White House, Washington Monument, Capital Building, Supreme Court Building, the Smithsonians, Jefferson Memorial, Madison Memorial, Iow Jima, and the Pentagon.

This was a 2 hour tour. Of course all were outside views except for the Jefferson Memorial. But it was a beautiful night! Clear sky, crescent moon..... just nice. Casey and I were even able to squeeze in a geocache!

I didn't have my camera with me so I didn't get any photos this time.

If you ever get a chance to go to Washington, D.C. then go! It is really worth it to see those buildings, monuments.... everything that seems to symbolize our country. And the best part is most of it is free!!!

Water makes everything better....

Today just some shots of the girls playing at the water sculpture behind our hotel. We are at the Residence Inn Courthouse, Arlington, VA. This is one of their favorite places to play here. And oh so convenient for us to have it at our back door!

The Water Sculpture

Relaxing....

Samantha Exploring the Water

Olivia My Big Girl

Footprints

Water Over the Toes

Water Over the Toes Again....

Sami's New Floppy Hat

We really enjoyed our day in the sun! Let's hope tomorrow will be just as beautiful.

At the mall

I am so grateful for indoor mall play places! It was another cooler day here in Arlington, VA and we don't have any warmer clothes. So.... I remembered the Fair Oaks mall had a play place Olivia really enjoyed the last time we stayed here. Using my new fancy GPS I was off!

Only one minor wrong turn (not the GPS's fault) I made it to the mall safe and sound. Whew! Driving in Virginia drives me crazy!

We went straight to the play place and it was closed for cleaning! Ahhhh! But luckily it looked like it would be open soon. So I dragged a whining Olivia off with me the JC Penney to look at clothes for me while we waited. We made it back to the playplace after a little while and it was open! No kids in sight! We had the place to ourselves.

About 5 minutes later.... the play place was hoppin'! Kids everywhere! But Olivia and Samantha had a great time! Olivia even found a new friend to boss around!

Some of the time Samantha didn't know what to do. But she soon figured it out!

I was really grateful to have a place for them to play and get out some of their energy! But... now I am prepared! After playing we went to Gymboree and I bought both girls each a lightweight jacket to wear in the cooler weather. Thinking ahead of course I bought both jackets one size bigger because I know in two weeks when I am in Houston the jackets will head to the closet until late fall!

Then we had ice-cream! Yum! Then I realized I am a shop lifter!!!!! I had picked up a sweater to buy for Olivia and hung it on the stroller. Didn't even realize I had strolled right out of the store with it hanging on the back of the stroller without even paying for it! Oops! Feeling extremely guilty I took it back to the store. Told the sales lady what happened. She smiled and thanked me for being "honest." Feeling a bit proud of myself and foolish at the same time I headed out the door as quick as I could.

Just as we were headed out of the mall I notice Olivia "dancing". Yep.... she needed to pee. We walked quickly to the restroom. On the way we passed Build-a-Bear. Olivia stopped and begged me to let her go in. I told her "NO! You've got to hurry to the bathroom!" So crying once again because I "hurt" Olivia's feelings we hurried to the bathroom. Just outside the door she squats on the floor moaning! Oh no! Yep... she couldn't hold it.

Now I was REALLY (not) happy..... so I took her to Sears (the closest store) and spied a pair of nice looking jeans for Olivia on a clearance sale for only $3.99! Can you believe it? Got an awesome deal!

At least two things good came out of the mall visit! The girls got to play and I got a good deal on a nice pair of jeans for Olivia! As for the whining, crying and complaining.... All in a days work!

Here's to a year in Baghdad!

I've decided to try and be better at blogging and maybe detail some of our lives for Matt since he will be gone for the year! We'll have to see how it goes! My history at blogging hasn't been so great. Since Matt is gone for the next two days I will start today.

Poor Olivia! She has a UTI. If you've ever had one you will know they are painful! But we got her to a doctor today and got her some antibiotic. In order to test for a UTI you have to pee in a cup! That was entertaining! Olivia....not so willingly finally gave up some fluid after a lot of coaxing, a lot of water, and some bribes! When finished she ran to the front of the clinic and announced rather loudly and to the amusement of those in the waiting room that she peed in the cup!

Went to CVS to fill her prescription. They gave her a liquid antibiotic without any flavoring! Yuck! I asked them to include grape flavoring and they charged $2.99! That was almost a third of the cost of the medicine itself! Ridiculous! Flavoring should come included with nasting tasting medicines!

We also went to a park to play for a little bit today. (This was part of the bribe at the medical clinic.) VERY disappointing park. Not much there and the equipment was kind of old. But hopefully we will find a better place to play tomorrow. Now I've got to entertain the girls for 4 more hours before bedtime! Kind of hard to do in a hotel. But I will figure out something!

Almost Christmas

It has been snowing all day. I love it when it snows. This is my first winter in Moscow. Last winter I was in Charleston, SC preparing for Samantha's arrival. So far I haven't been disappointed by the weather. It's five days until Christmas and there is snow on the ground. We had a few days were it was really cold. So cold my snot froze!

Funny thing. I noticed someone put a wreath on a random tree out by the dumpsters here on the embassy compound. I've walked by it several times while walking the dog. Each time I thought "huh... wonder who put that there." Then I got to looking at the wreath and realized that it was the same wreath I had thrown away in the dumpster about two weeks ago! I guess someone fished it out and hung it up. Who would have thought.... now every time I see it I laugh at my own private joke!

Olivia had a preschool Christmas party last week. They had a program all prepared for us parents. They acted out the book "My Many Colored Days" by Dr. Seuss. They played music to each color and acted out their feelings. It was very cute and fun to watch Olivia's reaction to each color. Later at home I showed Olivia that we had the same book at home. She was so amazed and of course I had to read it to her right away. So I got the performance again and again and again! At the party they also sang Christmas songs and played and of course had snacks. Olivia also gave us a rocking horse ornament she had painted for us. Santa came for a visit too and she gave him the rocking horse instead. But.... she told him to "bring it back tomorrow." I thought that was pretty funny.

We are expecting Kristy Thomas for a visit. She's flying in on Wednesday. Should be a lot of fun sight-seeing with her and just spending the holiday together!

This one's for Olivia

The biggest pleasure is my life is my family. When we got home from Prague Olivia gave me several hugs and cuddles and kisses. I sure missed her. Matt had a conference in Prague for one week and Samantha and I went with him. What a beautiful city!

Anyway, we decided to leave Olivia at home. A very difficult decision for me. I felt so guilty for "leaving her behind". But it all worked out. And coming home to her made it all the better to be home!
The primary program was today at church. Olivia had one speaking part (that she did okay with) and then she sang a duet with her best friend Rachel Earl. They sang "I Love To See the Temple." Imagine two little girls, one 3 and one 4, singining together with the microphone at the pulpit! It turned out oh so cute! Wish I could have had some pictures! At the end Olivia made sure to tell the audience "Goodbye!" as loud as she could....Rachel of course followed suit! Silly girls!

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Olivia was singing "it's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring"..... She must have learned that song at summer camp.
It has been raining here a lot. But I don't mind. I LOVE the rain! Of course this comes from growing up in the great Northwest. As a little kid I would listen the rain running down the gutters of my house and it was a comforting feeling. I miss it. I love the sounds outside when it rains. Water splashing, draining.... and I love the smell.
Rain in Moscow is similar to rain in Vancouver, Wa. Steady, sometimes a drizzle. Nothing like rain in Texas where it is a massive downpour and flooding everywhere. The rain here makes me feel like I am home in Washington.
Enough of this nostalgia! Time to go curl up and read a good book!

Okay... I had to add to this. This morning around 6:00 a.m. we had a TEXAS sized thunderstorm. Woke up both kids (and Matt slept through it!)

Computer girl

I am so amazed at Olivia! When I went to South Carolina in November of last year she didn't know how to use a computer. She would sit on Packa's lap and watch videos on YouTube with him like the Wiggles. Then while in Charleston I took her to the library and she played a couple of computer games there with my help. She didn't know how to use a mouse. Couldn't seem to figure it out. Now... 8 months later she is turning into a computer junkie. She uses the computer like a pro and bring up her own games. She navigates until she finds what she wants and there are fewer and fewer problems when she's on her own.
She is a sponge and she picks up things sooo fast! Sometimes I just wish she would slow down. But then again it makes me so proud to see her develop so quickly! I love my little girl!

Baby Tales

Olivia informed Matt and I that she has a baby in her tummy. (She has had a baby in her tummy ever since I had Samantha in mine.) It is a girl and she is going to name her Chonky! What a name!

Hi Grandma & Grandpa

Can't get enough of my two cutie pies! They are growing so fast. I wish I could slow down time just a little bit.

Sisters

Aren't sisters great?

Olivia has been a great big sister. She helps Mommy & Daddy out a lot. And she spends a lot of time entertaining Samantha.

Samantha adores Olivia!

Here are a couple more shots of my favorite girls!

New Beginnings

I guess I am as my sister-in-law told me once... the worst blogger ever! I posted and then stopped for 2 years! Oh well.... I guess I can start again. No pictures this go-round. But I promise to add some.
A little history... I got pregnant after 3 tries of IVF in 2007/2008. We moved to Moscow, Russia in August 2008. Went back to Charleston, SC to have our little girl. Her name is Samantha Abigail Simiskey and she was born 20 Jan 2009. We are back in Moscow and Packa and Grandma Loui are here for a visit! Samantha is 5 mos. old. Olivia is now 3 (almost 4.) She loves being a big sister!
We love our girls sooooo much!

Olivia at Halloween 2007

This is Olivia and Grandma Loui. Olivia is practicing her trick-r-treat skills before heading out for the real thing!

Sorry about the direction of the video. I accidentally had the camera turned sideways and so the video turned out that way. Just turn your head to the left or tilt your computer screen to the right!!!!

This is a video of Olivia at her first attempt trick-or-treating. The man at the door is trying to give Olivia more than one piece of candy. She keeps taking what he gives her and handing back the other piece. They do this a couple of times before he gives up and she leaves with just the one piece. It was pretty funny!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Update!

It has been forever since I updated so here goes. We are all doing well. I am working at the library. Olivia is in daycare and doing well. Matt continues to travel about half of the year. (Or at least it feels like that much.)

I did IVF (Invitro Fertilization). The cycle failed and so we are going to try one more time. We of course were disappointed but often it takes more than one try. I just pray that one more try will be all we need because that is all we can afford. Thankfully my job provides insurance that pays for about 70% of the cost! So we will perservere and please any prayers would be welcome!

At the end of October Matt will be heading out once again. I can't seem to remember where he is headed this time. But I do know he will be gone for two weeks. Olivia and I will survive as usual. We sure do miss Matt a lot during his work trips. Olivia asks about him all of the time. I tell her Daddy is at work.

She is growing like crazy! She is now two years old and she acts like it too! Her vocabulary has really increased and occasionally she throws in a sentence or two. She amazes both of us all of the time. Her favorite group is the Wiggles. She dances with them all of the time. We are going to a Wiggles Concert in November. She is going to LOVE it!

Well, I guess that is enough for now. I will try to continue to post. Amy reminded me that I am the worst blogger ever! Thanks Amy!

Have a great day everyone!

Music anyone?

I have discovered that Olivia LOVES the piano. She can sit there for 30 minutes or so just happy as can be. And she will scream at me when I take her off of the piano bench. Who knows... maybe some day she will play.

She also loves any music with a really strong beat. Hip Hop is a favorite. Whenever those cars drive by with the really loud base thumping she starts wiggling and bouncing around with a huge smile on her face. Matt entertained her at Best Buy one day by pushing back and forth next to a stereo with rap or hiphop or something like that playing. (I do hope that isn't a sign of things to come......Yikes!)

Funny girl!

Katy is soooo patient. She has so much hope that Olivia will share her food. And of course Olivia is always willing to share much to Katy's delight!

Geocaching with friends

My friend Aliza and her daugher Emma went with Olivia and I geocaching today. We found three caches! Here are a few pictures of us.

Pigtails!

Olivia had her first pigtails! She amazed me! Olivia sat really still while I combed her hair and put the pigtails in. She knew she was cute! Of course there were a few tears right before the photos and you can still see them on her cheeks. She was mad because I took the comb away from her.

Taking a bath

I thought I would show a couple of pics of Olivia taking a bath. She used to hate baths until she spent a week at Uncle Joel and Aunt Shaleign's place. I don't know what they did but now she loves to get into the tub. She gets so excited when we go into the bathroom and she tries to crawl into the tub whether her clothes are off or on!