My favorite time of the year

I love the Fall!  the cooler weather, the windows open.  But this year I especially like Fall because Wayne is back home to enjoy it with us!  So that means cook outs, hiking trips and just good ole fashion family time.  He is still on his 30 day leave/vacation and doing great!  Kids love having him home all the time.  Although our grocery bill has more than doubled it's great having him here during the day!!  I believe we have reintegrated (army's term) as a family and it's business as usual here in the Scarpulla household. 

Next up will.be Halloween, I cannot wait to see what Wayne has cooked up for this year, after all this is his FAVORITE holiday. 

I am still keeping busy, although the FRG side of things have died down immensely I still have the Spouses club and I was just elected to the School Board for  Fort Campbell Schools.  So don't worry about me I will always have something to do :) 

Athena Lala Scarpulla 4-14-00 to 8-30-11

She was 11 years old in april and had one hell of a life.  the most spoiled dog i know and she was my savior and protector during all 5 deployments, countless field problems and a million late nights. 

Wayne bought me Athena from Kellers flea market outside of Fort Stewart, GA. 2 months before we got married. She was my baby.  Saturday night we came home to a large pile of dog vomit, with 2 dogs it's hard to tell which one did it.  But after watching the dogs it was clear Athena was not feeling well.  She spent all day sunday laying around.  Monday, yesterday, she was back to her normal self.  This morning (tuesday) she woke me up at 530am, I knew something was not right.  She was just standing there panting to death.  I brought her outside and she went, then we went back to sleep.  While getting the kids ready for school I could see she was not comfortable.  So I checked her out, no pain to touch but her tongue and gums were white (HUGE RED FLAG) called and got her an apt with vet off post right away.  Her lungs were clear but they wanted to do xray and blood work.  When the vet came in and put up the xray I could see it.  Her heart.  It was HUGE.  And I knew right away what that ment.  it was stretched beyond abnormal and it was only a matter of time, the vet said days, if that.  She would basically suffocate.  She also had a stroke, and was disoriented. So I had to make the worst decision I never wanted to make and ease her pain.  I went with my friend, and Wayne came as soon as he could and we said our goodbyes and she slipped to sleep with her head in my lap. 
Wayne was able to be here when the kids got home and told them what had happened.  They are doing ok.  Ariana is more upset than Angelo.  But that was to be expected.  Wayne said I can go out and get another dog now, but I cannot even think about that right now.  I probably won't be ready for a long time.  But that's ok.  I know Athena is still with me in my heart and she is having a blast up in heaven with all our relatives.  I will miss her everyday.

Summer summer tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime...

that was my best fresh price impression.

summer has begun!  and we are off on vacation!!!  The kids and I are staying in Virginia beach for a month!  And I am going to enjoy every second of it!   Saturday my baby sister is getting married!  I am so excited for her!  All the preparations are almost complete and i know her special day will be amazing!  We are all in the wedding party, I am a matron of honor, Ariana is a Junior bridesmaid and Angelo will be the ring bearer.  We are gonna look amazing!  Only thing missing is my darling husband.  SOON he will be home with us!

I have some Angelo-isms for your guys...  some of you may know my Grandma K passed on may 17th.  We went to iowa to say good bye to her, but I left the kids home with my Battle Buddy Ethel.  On one of my phone calls home Angelo was talking to me and asked when I was coming home.  I told him it would be a couple more days, he was quiet for a min.  and then asked... "aren't you done digging yet?"  wow.  what it must be like to be in his brain?  ha ha!!!!!!  I love that kid! 

Kids. germs. and GOO

tonight while I was waiting for Angelo to wash his body with "man soap" (axe body wash, oye) he informed me "momma know why I'm taking so long?  I have lots of germs on me, from peoples houses, outside, school, EVERYWHERE"  awesome dude, thanks for sharing and washing those germs, Ha ha ha.

after kids are in bed I come downstairs to see Stetson (brown dog) with "goo" dripping from his jaw... WTH??? then i see it.  Ariana made "slime" for girl scouts tonight and the bag was not closed all the way and had leaked all over the end table, dog bed and carpet.  whatever it was made with Stetson sure enjoyed it.  UGH.  So it's not all the way firm so it's half liquid half rubber.  I was trying to figure out how to get this out of my carpet, and praising the housing gods that I didn't actually have a carpeted house, just a huge area rug (whew) I decided I needed something "rakey" so I get a butter knife can scraped the shit out of the carpet, WALA!  It came up, kinda... I will have to do some more raking after it sets more.... time for a BEER!

Hurt.

its funny how feelings sneak up on you.  I guess when you don't deal with them they do that huh?  7 years ago we lost an amazing guy. He was my brother's best friend and my "boy next door".  He took his own life and I guess in a way I am STILL angry.  Life is so precious and I try to live it to the fullest each day.  I am thankful that he left the world a gift, he gorgeous daughter.  I have really enjoyed watching her grow into a young lady.  And I know he is watching over her everyday.  I know and pray that God is watching over his family today and helping to ease their pain.  Forever In our Hearts Chris "pinkie"

Honoring our Fallen

Something that being in our lifestyle we do way to often.  Some of you may know that my Troop lost 6 amazing Soldiers right after Thanksgiving.  It was a day I care not to relive ever again.  I had my grief time but then I had to pick myself up and be strong for the other spouses in the troop.  There were lots of questions and lots of grief that we all had to get through.  When Wayne came home for R&R last month we talked about that day.  And I again broke down, the wounds and emotions still so fresh.  And I think it really opened his eyes.  He didn't have a clue how a loss effected the home front. It is for lack of a better word, life changing.  The what-ifs are endless.  Yesterday we honored 5 of the 6 lost that November morning.  It was a wonderful, sad, emotional day.  I was in awe of the family members that came to represent their Soldier.  We had over 60 family members attend.  And I am honored to have been able to sit and chat with them.  I pray daily for them and the Soldiers still gone and wish we will NEVER have to do this again.  But even me, the optimistic gal that I am, know that is not an option.  So for now we will put on our smiles and drive forward and live and survive because that is what Army Wives do best.  HOOAH!

2 for tuesday

the plaque of 2011 has swept through my house.  I hope I never see it again.  Luckily it started after my DH left from R&R, oh that's right he was home for the Holidays!  HOORAY!  it was a great surprise for the kiddos!!  He came in Christmas Day and was able to stay for 14 + days due to the weather!  JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED!  But he has since left and we are here tryign to get back to "our normal"  which means meetings for me, and playdates for the kids.



now we are down another month in our year long deployment!  So that is great news!!!  February is a month filled with parties!  Our Squadron will celebrate it's "half-way" through the deployment!!  We are gonna party hardy!  I also get the honor to meet Former President George W. Bush tomorrow!  I am super excited!!!!!!  I hope to have pictures to share!  REPUBLICANS UNITE!