Making Pregnancy Look Cool To Teens

Baby booties, cute maternity clothes, eating what you want. Parties, gifts, toys, attention. Pregnancy sounding good to you right?

WELL Let me tell you about pregnancy and having kids. It's no walk in the park.

And this is why I don't believe that the new MTV show "16 and Pregnant" is helpful to no one!

This show makes kids believe that pregnancy and having a baby at such a young age is the "cool thing to do". They go through get the baby shower party and looking at the cute baby clothes all the things that look like fun!

No once is there anything that would make a 16 think that, hey, maybe getting pregnant at 16 isn't such a great idea after all.

They barely touch on the topics of raising a baby, except for the late night feedings. Giving birth, cause that's a trip!

It was like watching " My Sweet 16 Baby Shower"! All the glitz and glamour, no fallout for their actions, nothing!

And the parents are no help really. There was one mom who tried to be firm with her 16 year old daughter but the grandparents rescues their grandchild and making the mom look like the bad guy. Great save grandparents, not only does you grandchild gave you a great-grandchild at 16, you have just taught her that there are no consequences and she count on you to bail her out!
I hope that MTV next couple of episodes really show what pregnancy is really all about.

You know...

Weight gain, gas, "cankles", hemorrhoids and stretch marks. What else? Labour, large needles in the back, pain EVERYWHERE. And that's just pregnancy and labour and that only the a few of them.
Then there is bringing the baby home. Post partum depression, late nights, early mornings, uncontrollable crying from both parties. Colic, diaper changes, infections, needles for the baby, feedings, unsolicited advice, etc.

And the list goes on!

Supermom Rocks!

I have to give a quick shout out to Michelle from The Adventures of Supermom.


Every week she gives a week in review but because she's under the weather she found a different way to get it done!

A great blogger! Hope you feel better soon!

I Don't Know What To Say...

I'm floored! Mystified! Gobsmacked! It's complete mayhem!!


I can't believe that someone tried to use me to get my twin sister fired from her job!!


Here's there story:


We have an uncle and aunt that we have never met that came to Canada to visit us from Holland. I wasn't able to be there unfortunately, so my twin was the representative for the Team Mayhem.


She took Thursday off so she could spend the day doing the tourist thing, which she probably hasn't done but now has the excuse to do so!


I unfortunately forgot that and called her work to get her estimated time of arrival for the "Auntie Nikki Long Weekend Extravaganza". A lady on the other end says the company name and that's it. So I ask to speak to my sister.


"Who?" she says with a crabby I'm-not-really-listening-to-anything-you-say type of attitude, so I repeat myself.


"She's not working today!"


"Ok, thanks I'll call her cell" and I hang up. " If you took the stick from up your ass you might be in a better mood!"


No matter, I'll call her later.


At around nine I get a phone call from my sister.


" Are you dense or just plain stupid?" the caller on the other starts the conversation with.


"Hi Nikki, come again?"


"You almost got me into a shitload of trouble at work!"


"Why? Or better yet how?"

And I got the whole story from her. Apparently, there is a co-worker of my sister that has been gunning for her since day one! This time she told her boss that there was no visit with an uncle and that Nikki was bullshitting the boss to get a day off work! Then she told her boss that when I called we had a really long talk about how I knew nothing about an uncle coming to visit and everything!

Which is really funny because I don't give out a lot of information to strangers over the phone. Case in point, someone from Directbuy called me up to tell me that I was a finalist at some random computer contest and the guy wanted my address. I told him as much as I appreciate the honor in being a finalist, I need some proof that this wasn't a scam and to give me something that would make this thing legit. So why would I have a long conversation about my sister and her endeavors to some random nobody?!

Well, luckily Nikki has some friends at her office and they called her to inform that this hateful woman was out for her. Plus, thank goodness for sheer luck that my sister took photos of the entire visit with our uncle.

I'm outraged! Don't mess with twin power here!

I'm planning on calling her boss and putting in a formal complaint. That's just insane!!

Out completely without words here! And that is rare!

Mommy Is Such A Wuss!

Both Chicky and Ducky had to go in for their immunizations today. Fun!

Alone... with two kids who are about to get needles!

Doctor's visits are no fun for me because I hate stupid questions, and I've got some good ones.

"You're house is child safe, yes?"

"Do you let your son play with matches?"

Of course I do! I let him play with matches while he hides in the dryer and my daughter runs around with knives and lick the lead paint off the walls!

And let me tell you both my darling little angels (depending on if they napped) did extremely well! My daughter cried for a minute but went right back to playing with my credit card. I asked Ducky to leave the room because I didn't want to see what would happen to him a couple of minutes from now.

So both nurses went for each of Chicky's arms and I squirmed and fussed! And this was before she even got the needle in! She looked at me as if I had completely lost it and then she got the shots. So I guess my squirming distracted her.

Ducky was a trooper! The nurse told him what she was going to do and he said ok. I told him I would hold his hand and said "why?". As I watched the entire event go down, which by the way I'm deathly afraid of needles in case you didn't get it, my boy is just staring at my! He can't even believe that I'm so scared.

"Oh Mommy you are so silly!"

Yes I am! I'm not scared to admit it! I've have student nurses poke me until I looked like a pin cushion! One of my employers had to tell me to wear sleeves at work because people were concerned for the pregnant lady with the track marks on her arms! You can't find a vein on my arm! They hide! And they are good at it!!

You're so silly mom indeed! Because both kids were fine! Who knew! And you know what? They are not afraid of thunder and lightning either!

Here I was worried that my kids would be fearful of the same things I am. My mother has said many times that she thinks she passed on her fears to us.

Let me tell you how wonderful it is to have kids who can handle the needles because I would hate to have a kid I would need to pin down!

Alright, speaking of fears, I'm going to find my son so her can kill the big spider hanging from the window that I've been eyeing for the last 30 minutes!

Having A Rough Time

For the past couple of days I'm having the world's roughest time with everything!

Nothing seems to get me motivated to do anything. I haven't unpacked from our trip home. As a matter of fact we have been tripping over the suitcases that are spewed across my kitchen and dining room. Nothing is motivating me to do anything. The only thing that keeps me getting up in the morning are my kids, but lets face it, if they were not around I would be sleeping most of the time.

I want to say my depression came back. But I don't know, it doesn't feel the same.

I feel like I'm in a crowd watching everyone move at high speed while I'm standing, not moving, just watching. Staring at people laughing while I can barely make a smile. While everyone is talking, I can't say a word. While they move I go nowhere.


Maybe it is back. I had PPD (Postpartum Depression) with my son but I was told to "suck it up". Then when I had my daughter it was worst, so my mother spoke to a doctor about it. And I got it under control. I don't believe that PPD is back, there has to be something else to this.


I honestly don't care to do anything. I don't want to cook, clean or talk to anyone. It's hard because I love my friends and family but even the thought of talking is not interesting to me right now.



It's hard because this will affect my kids. They want to do things, I don't.

I just need to time to get my head on straight and figure out what I really want for myself, but right now. I'll be the drunk football player on Spring Break who just sits there completely oblivious to the fact that there are people dancing around me!

Cpl. Mayhem's Views On The Bachelorette

I've been watching Bachelorette Jillian Harris since day one when The Bachelorette aired. My husband not so much. So when he decided to turn his computer off and join me after listening to me yell at the TV for 30 minutes, I wasn't expecting him to say much.


One of the bachelors showed up earlier on the show to confess his love for Jillian and propose and she took off into the house to talk to the host.


Cpl. Mayhem: I don't get it. Why is she so confused? Didn't she chose some other guy?


Me: Yes but this guy decided to show up to see if Jillian would choose him instead of the other guy.


Cpl. Mayhem: That's just dumb.


Me: They need to top last year somehow.


Cpl. Mayhem: And she expects a ring at the end of this? Did buddy just say I can't believe this is how it went? What did you expect? You got kicked off! There had to be a reason!


Finally Ed, the chosen bachelor shows up and they have an awkward moment of silence.


Col. Mayhem: Umm, talk...


Ed starts to talk.


TV: You are intelligent, confident.....


Cpl. Mayhem's jaw drops. His eyes widen, with the cookie half fallen out of his mouth.


Cpl. Mayhem: Well he sure knows her! She couldn't make a decision ten minutes ago. They should have TVs everywhere so that buddy here would see what she was doing earlier. They aren't going last. Why do you watch this crap?!


He looks at me, with this look of horror that is usually reserved for traumatic events or when he is pissed off at work.


I look at him and I start to laugh! He has had more opinion of this show in the past 30 minutes than I have all season! Thank goodness he didn't watch all the shows! He would have had a field day making fun of the guy who had a foot fetish and that honky-tonk country singer who was into himself!

Maybe he'll watch the After Show with me tonight. That was fun!

MOMVERSATION MONDAY: Does Birth Order Matter?

What a great topic! Heather B. Armstrong of Dooce.com started off a great Momversation topic this Monday. Does birth order matter?

Lets see....
For myself I have to say that yes birth order does become a proponent factor of who we and what our characteristics and personality are going to be.


For myself, I'm a twin, so I tend to posses both first child and middle child characteristics. As the middle child I tend to compromise more and become the peacekeeper within the family. A the neutral territory if you will when a battle ensues between Country Big Sister and Country Little Sister.
I could never agree with either sister. I was just the sounding off board. I have comments but generally I try to be the mutual ground. I also tend to use a lot of humour to get attention.

Even though I'm the middle child like I said before I also have some oldest characteristics in me. I was the one who made the path for both my sisters. I moved out of the house first. Got married and had children first. I pretty much jumped into life's pool so my sisters could see that everything is ok on this side. No intentionally, but they get to see me fail and succeed.

My younger sister is the prime example of the youngest child. Demanding, always getting away with anything. She is carefree and while we were living at home with my parents had very little responsibility. I remember making dinners for both my sisters and when I asked for help with the dishes she just shrugged her shoulders and said she was the baby, she didn't have to. The ground was paved for her to anything she wanted. My twin and I fought for some leniency and the youngest reaped the benefits.

My twin sister is the oldest and she carries the burden of my parents incredibly high expectations. She is the one who falls in line when my parents call. She stills looks for my parents approval and feels that nothing she does is good enough.

I do agree with Lisa Belkin of the Motherlode blog that the oldest child is the one parents make mistakes with. With my first born, I didn't have a clue on how to discipline him and still don't. Because as he gets older the techniques I was learning no longer work or he's becoming more defiant! With my daughter I am more knowledgeable and tired. My son is getting more responsibility being the older brother by watching his sister and keeping her busy while I cook, and my daughter is enjoying the perks of being the youngest because I'm not as uptight with her.

What's your birth order? Do you believe in it?

Starting Back Up On My Body For Life Challenge

I'm now home so I'll be able to get back on track with my Body For Life Challenge.

Looking at some of the wedding photos that were taken I'm horrified that that is what I look like!

I hate it!

I got plenty of stuff for me to to do to get to my goal. Nothing is stopping me at this point!

So as of Monday ( yes mother, I know you heard it before!), tomorrow I'm back on track. After this post I'll be keeping you posted on Sunday on how my week went. And I'm too ashamed to be putting up any numbers and believe me if you were blogging about, you probably wouldn't either.

Alright, I'm off to cut up some veggies and wipe down my equipment that has been set aside until I got the OK from my doctor.

Things I Have Learned Being at Home

There are many things that have happened over the course of two weeks while I was away on vacation with Cpl. Mayhem, Ducky and Chicky. Some were good things and some surprised me!

I learned that a beautiful garden takes time, and my mother in law has a gorgeous garden!



I've learned there will always be two sides to every story. You have to listen to both sides before you make an opinion about it.

I learned new things about my husband's side of the family that I didn't know. Actually there are things I learned about my own family and I've known them for decades!

And because if the last statement above, I've learned to keep an open mind and not be too judgemental.

I learned that I love my camera and might want to get into photography when the time is right.

I learned that my kids need, and I mean, NEED a schedule no matter where we are. Difficult to do, yes, but much saner for myself and my husband.

I learned that Chickie is scared of men, which is fine! Let hope that holds true 25 years from now!

I learned that no matter where you move to, there will people who know me for me and love me no matter what, these people know me as Vanessa not just as Cpl. Mayhem's wife. And those are the people who are going to be there for years to come!

I've learned that no matter if my mother-in-law and I bump heads at times, she has some great advice and a keen eye for shoes and where the great deals are.

I've learned that it is not a vacation until someone has visited the hospital...

I've learned that my husband and I can make it on a 2 hour plane ride back home. Let's hope the trip back is a good one too.

I've learned that three glasses of wine on a empty stomach sucks!!

I'm completely in love with my Auntie Scarlett! I have a lot in common with Auntie Lynn and Uncle Russell and Barb will always make me laugh!

I've learned that I miss home.

MOMVERSATION'S 100th EPISODE!!!

Congratulations to Momversation on their 100th episode!!!

This website has been an inspiration and a getaway for me on days when I need it most.

On the momversation blog they have a post up that talks about some of the panelists favorite episode and I wanted to share mine.

The one episode I loved the most is the one called "What did you allow in your second pregnancy"

This one is one of my personal favorite because of Heather Armstrong of Dooce.com.

We all know Heather has a shock value personality, but I just love the fact that she didn't give up her heroin!

She's blunt and to the point about never cracking open a pregnancy book during her second pregnancy and eating deli meats. Heather just cracks me up! She's never afraid to say something whether it be a joke or a serious point in various other episodes.


For all the panelists. Congratulations on your 100th episode! I hope you continue to produce more thought provoking and entertaining episodes.


And thank you! Your website has made my year!

Dating in The Dark: A Great Idea or is it?

I have to say that before I married my husband I dated various types of guys. So when someone said "what's your type?" I could honestly say, " I don't have a clue! The only thing the guys I've dated have in common was that they were asses!


Ok, so maybe that was my type. Until Cpl. Mayhem came into my life. That's when everything changed. He was quiet, shy, sarcastic, funny and smart. And that what drew me to him. But first I fell for his piercing blue eyes. His eyes just reminded me of a clear blue ocean.


Which is why I pose this question to you today:


If you were to meet your boyfriend/ spouse/ significant other for the first time in a dark room would you have ended up where you are today?


Here is why I ask.



I was watching a new show called Dating in the Dark yesterday and I was intrigued. In a world where people are first judged solely by their looks would this social experiment work?


I believe many people focus solely on looks. When we look for a match for ourselves we are first drawn to the aesthetics of the other person, it's inevitable. Like I said before, when I met Cpl. Mayhem I first saw his eyes. Loved them!! And then I got to know his personality, which I love by the way!
We gravitate to good looking people. Who goes into a bar looking for a great personality? It's human nature. I want to see one woman not look when George Clooney walks past them. I'd do a double take! Or what guy wouldn't stop and drool if one of the Victoria Secret models would walk bye.


During the show the couples date in the dark. Duh! They spend time with each other and they are later matched with their best compatibility. At the end of the show they are revealed to each other.

Two out of the three couples decide to continue to hang out and get to know each other. A good success rate I thing!


I personality think that we need to be able to look beyond our features and focus on the things that are going to keep us connected for years to come. Because lets get honest here, boobs will sag, hair will go grey or bald for you men. But if you have nothing in common with that person, there really is nothing left.


If Cpl. Mayhem and I were in a dark room meeting each other for the first time. I think we would be right where we are in our lives. Married, two kids, laughing and happy.

MOMVERSATION MONDAY: Should Kids Work?

Here we are! Another Momversation Monday!

Guest E.D. Hill, author of I'm Not Your Friend, I'm Your Parent asks should your kids work?


For myself, I had a job at 15 and I worked until having my first child, I worked part time at a restaurant, hotel, coffee shop, a toy store, radio station.... pretty much anywhere I could get work and pay for the things that I wanted to buy.


My parents had originally started me and my sisters with an allowance, and he taught us how to budget ( or tried to). Like Dana, if we did not have the money, my father would said " Oh well! If you want that item you are going to have to earn it!"


Which is exactly what I plan on doing for my kids. I find there are many kids who have become spoiled and don't understand the concept of money. Which deters them later in life when they have to pay for things like bills etc. I don't want to have kids who don't appreciate the things they have because it was just handed to them. The first CD I ever purchased was after spending weeks saving up for it doing odd jobs at home. It was the best feeling ever! Kids who just get everything they want don't care for their things properly in my opinion. Because they are under the believe they can get a replacement when it breaks or goes missing.

For myself and my husband we don't want our kids to think we are the ATM machine that they can take, take, take from. If you want something bad enough you will earn it. My sister is a great example of that. After her first year of ballet when she could wear point shoes, she wanted to get a new pair and my mom refused to fork over the money when she had gotten a pair the year before. So she did odd jobs at our school, working for the science teacher feeding the plants and fish. And she had a jar that she carried with her with the sign that read " Pennies for Point shoes". I don't advocate panhandling but she she did get her point shoes!

I want to instill self worth and responsibility in my children because at the end of the day, when they leave for college, they aren't coming back home, they are going to be responsible members of society whether they like it or not!

Remember Our Fallen Heroes: Pte. Sebastien Courcy

CTV.ca News Staff

Pte. Sebastien Courcy died Thursday during a counterinsurgency mission in the Panjwaii district of Kandahar province.

Reporting from the Canadian base at Kandahar, Dene Moore of the Canadian Press told CTV News Channel the circumstances surrounding Courcy's death were unusual.

"He fell from his position, it was a high position on a cliff. He fell and was killed," Moore said,

"there were no other soldiers injured."

It is not clear whether Courcy was involved in a firefight at the time.
Courcy, 26, was a member of the 2nd Battalion of the Royal 22e Regiment, also known as the Van Doos.

Courcy was described as a "fine soldier" by his commander Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance.
"Sebastien gave his life for Canada. Such is the price soldiers must sometimes pay to honour their obligation to their country and to the missions set before them," Vance said during a news conference.

Vance said Courcy arrived in Afghanistan in April.

"Rest in peace Sebastien. We will remember you," Vance said in a traditional farewell to a fallen soldier.

Courcy is survived by his mother, Ginette, and his sister Julie.
His death brings to 125 the number of Canadian soldiers who have died as part of the Afghan mission since it began in 2002.

It also makes July the deadliest month on record for coalition forces in Afghanistan since the war began 8 years ago.

There have been at least 47 deaths among NATO nations this month, including five Canadian deaths.

Cpl. Nick Bulger was killed July 3 by a roadside bomb, Master Cpl. Pat Audet and Cpl. Martin Joannette were killed July 6 in a helicopter crash, and Master Cpl. Charles-Phillippe Michaud died July 4 from injuries suffered during a foot patrol in June.

With files from The Canadian Press

Bridal Shower!!!

My mother-in-law planned a Jack and Jill Party for her son and fiance tonight. If you have only gone to these showers you may not know what goes on before the guest arrive. If you have planned a party like this then you know how my MIL was feeling by the time everything was set.

So I present to you:

My Mother-in-Law's Stress in photo form!

In my mother-in-law's defense let me explain something here. Everything was going according to schedule, or so we thought. According to her watch we were ahead of schedule, we had 45 minutes before we had to get to the fire hall to decorate. So we got our last minute items and all of the sudden my MIL came from behind me and said we were late. He watch was slow and now we had to make a mad dash to the hall to decorate.

But once everything was set up, everyone was ready to have a good time! There were some , games and some great gifts! The kids who were there played with each other no matter how old the oldest one was, they all got right in there!

It was a wonderful time and my MIL did a great job! Everyone poked fun at the happy couple. Jokes and fun exchanges between family, nothing better I tell you!

MOMVERSATION MONDAY: Where Will Your Kids Go if You Die?

Daphne Brogdon of Cool Mom brings up a very hard topic for most people to think of, what would happen to your children if you die. What do you think?

This is a tough one because I have so many people to choose from. I have two sisters and my brother-in-law, some uncles and aunts that I trust with my life. Who to pick?

Do I pick my brother-in-law and his wife to be? Both stable careers, solid homestead, experience with children. She is a french teacher! BONUS!

Or do I pick one of my sisters? The only two people who know everything about since the dawn of time! Heck my twin looks like me! BONUS!

One thing that Mindy has mentioned in the post was her having a trustee to her will. I will have that, I trust my father to manage the money to the point that my two children will not have any kind of debt after the graduate from college as well as have a retirement plan for them long before they get to that point in their lives. Yes people he is that good!

It's a tough one. My husband and I have gone through every single scenario on who would be better. For me, like Daphne, I would love to have someone who is very much like myself who would be able to remind them of me and who I was. My biggest fear is them forgetting about me.
But my ultimate fear is a custody battle. I just want my wishes to be followed and everyone accept it as the word of law! Granted that wouldn't happen in a court of law. But I would hope that both sides of family would respect what I wish.

I could not chose either sets of parents. Not that I think that they wouldn't do a good job. They both would be amazing! But this is the time of their lives that they have already done the raising of the children. It's time for them to have some fun and enjoy retirement. I just want to burden them with such a responsibility.

My mother told me when I was going through the process of making up a will that she changed her will several times in her lifetime mainly because life happens. Things change.

As life changes so will my will.

Do You Know What's Going On In Your House?

Watching CBS's 48 Hour Mysteries tonight became a learning lesson for me.


The episode was called "Stolen Dreams" and it was about a husband who committed 10 bank robberies without his wife finding out.


The part of the robberies was not the reason why I I tittled my post. While the story was being told, they continually pointed out the fact that the wife had no clue what was coming in income wise and had never had to pay a bill in her life. Now that her husband was in jail she was responsible for the bills and having to take care of everything from getting a job to caring for her two children, as well as having to deal with her husband's indiscretions.


So here is the question I pose for everyone. Do you have a sense about what is going financially in your house? Are you the only one who looks at the budget or does your spouse? And if the spouse who does take care of finances were no longer there could you figure it all out?


In my household I'm the one who takes care of the bills. But not well. So for me this show was an insight on how I need to inform my husband on our finances as well as teach myself a batter way to keep the bills and finances in a more organized fashion.


Great lesson in the weirdest place!

WE ARE HOME!

What a crazy 48 hours it has been!

Spending time with the aunties so we didn't have to get up so early! Enjoying a sushi night with a movie.

Then we got a taxi and we headed to the airport, our final destination back to Nova Scotia!

I have to say that the flight was not as bad as we were anticipating it to be. Riah squirmed for a bit for take off and landing but for the most part they watched shows on the little screens they now have in front of the seats and no one was sick or upset! So that to me screams success!

But before we drove to my in-laws place we had some brunch and we went shopping. Once we got home we were amazed by the transformation that happened in the backyard!

But the best part was having Ducky's cousin over to play and finally being able to catch some smiles that most of the Mayhem men have hidden when a camera is around!

It was a great day!

Scared To Fly

I hate flying!

What you don't know is I've been flying since I was an infant!

My father was a pilot and a flight attendant as was my mother. My twin sister wanted to become a flight attendant but there are height restrictions and she didn't make it ( we are short). And my younger sister is so close to getting her piloting license, in fact she'll have her pilots license before she gets her drivers license.

I don't know why I'm scared. I just don't like the process of flying. The waiting in line for you bags to be checked in. The security procedures and all that jazz.

The last time me and my sister got together and flew on the same plane was after 9/11 and because my twin and I are a tanned and dark hair and my younger sister is a blond blue-eyed bombshell, guess who's luggage, shoes, coats and IDs were checked more often. Yeah! But because I'm accustomed to the flying process, I didn't say anything just did as I was told and kept moving along. Smiles for them, but in my mind I was thinking " I'm not middle eastern! Quit profiling! I get that this is the latest precautions but really does lighting strike twice? Look at the twitching blond dude who looks like he has something to hide! LOL!

Of course my twin wasn't helping much with her choice of wardrobe: Black everything and a leather jacket. She had TARGET written all over her!

She even got pulled over when we got to airplane itself, and a nice middle eastern woman who was working security had to stop her. Since this was tenth time Anic had be stopped she asked the woman politely why was she getting all this attention and she didn't think it was fair.

To which the security guard replied " I know, I've been asked to take certain people aside for the color of their skin and clothing for the past three weeks. I'm getting annoyed myself. In fact, I've apologizing to everyone. They don't have a system yet, it's just plain profiling.

But back to why I have a fear of flying...

I think it's the noise and the sudden bumps, it always gets me. I remember practically crushing my husbands hand when we were coming from visiting my parents. It was bad!

Maybe I'll be a little more calmer this time. It's my daughter's first time flying so I don't want to have her worked up because mommy is too. That would be BAD!

Wish me luck! I'll let you know how it goes on Friday!

I've Had Enough! I'm Tired Of The Great Divide!

WHY???

Why do military wives put a line across the sand?

"Step over here if you have children and the other side is for the ones who don't. OR, Here is the line for the military wives and this is the line for the military wives who are soldiers themselves.

I HATE THE GREAT DIVIDE!!

Going through a Facebook group I was horrified to be engulfed in the world of the military wives who have no children and how they bashed women who have children calling us girls who just want to be pregnant to quickly trap a man. Or have a lack of ambition with the need to find someone who will support her.

EXCUSE ME?!?

Never in my life have I been so apauled to be a part of this group!

We need to stand united here. It's a hard life, we don't need this kind of drama!

Ladies! We are military wives! We have all fallen in love with a soldier and we all do the same thing: Wait for a husbands to come home from a course or tour and support them in their career!
I'm so sick of wives who have nothing better to do with their time but to bash a group of people who made a choice about their lives. You chose yours, so you see us going on about it?

Who gives it if a wife decides to wear her husband's PT shirt? Granted, I personally think it's gross but I never crossed the road and throw stones when I saw someone who did coming towards me!

And so what if I have children? Is that affecting your life in some way? I love being a mom but I haven't sacrificed who I am to have them. I haven't lost any brain cells or given up on every dream because I have children too.

Who cares what's going on in someone elses life? Do these rumours have to be spread? Is it really that important to bash someone or pass on false facts to the next person ruining their reputation or hurting that persons relationships with her family?

Is this just a mere distraction from the fact that you are waiting for your soldier to come back from a long course or tour? Cause if it is? Girl, find yourself a hobby!

Get over yourselves! And think, if you do decide one day to have a child you have managed to alienate a lot of women! Women who one day you might call on to get advice. Advice your childless bitter friends would not have or a sitter or a play date for your tot.
And didn't you think that once you are a mom you would be crossing over to our side, SHOCK! Did you forget that when you decided to have your little rant, little girls?

Childish! That's all it is!

PS. Allow me to point out that I have many friends in various stages of life as a military wife and I love what they all bring to the table. I'm just angry at the closed minded ones who can't see the greatness and wisdom that some of these women have to offer and are being judged by their decisions

Making Our Way Back Home

Vacations are stressful in our house. The planning, the packing , the itinerary that we are given or planned. It's just flat out chaos!

But first we have spent the last two months waiting to find out when hubby's leave was going to happen. Because the military has blocked leaves for their soldiers their is a process that everyone in the family goes through. Hubby has to put in his leave and once it gets to the proper people to review it, the wait process begins. "Hurry up and wait" is something we hear often, even vacations is something you have to wait for.

And waiting we did. When I said the entire family goes through the process my jobs was to tell friends and family who keep asking for the details, that I could not give them that because I myself had no answers.

But now that everything has been finalized. The planning begins:

1. Cleaning


2. Garbage removal


3. Laundry


4. Packing


5. Map Quest searching ( our travel saviour)


6. Picking up sanity savers for the kids


7. Locking the fort down


8. And finally driving to my sisters to go to the airport

Tired yet? I am! And just the thought alone has made me not want to get up and get anything done. I've got half the cleaning done. Garbage day is tomorrow morning, the fridge has been emptied. One more load of laundry tomorrow and by Thursday afternoon we will be on our way to visit the aunties!

I'm going to need a vacation from this vacation!

But on a positive note I have a dress for my brother in law's wedding. I think that is the best part of this trip is spending time with my brother and his fiance!

And no I'm not wearing boots!

Remembering our Fallen Heroes:Master Cpl. Pat Audet and Cpl. Martin Joannette

CTV.ca News Staff


The killed Canadians have been identified as Master Cpl. Pat Audet, 38, and Cpl. Martin Joannette, 25. Both were based in Valcartier, Que.


Audet served with the 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, and Joannette was with the 3e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment.


Two of the injured soldiers were able to return to duty, while the third was listed in stable condition.


Military officials say the helicopter crashed at a U.S. base in Zabul province, about 80 kilometres northeast of Kandahar where the bulk of Canadian troops are based.
Insurgents were not involved in the incident, suggesting the helicopter may have suffered from mechanical failure.


"A flight-safety investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the crash," said Canadian commander Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance.


Griffons are used mainly to transport troops, and are part of the Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan. They have been used by the Canadian military since the start of this year.


The majority of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan have died from improvised explosive devices, buried along Kandahar's dangerous roads. Because of that, helicopters are considered a much safer method of transportation.


"With the arrival of the Griffon and Chinook helicopters in our area of operations, (Audet and Joannette) played a valuable role in reducing exposures to IEDs, and by providing aviation support to combat operations," said Vance.


Audet was on his first deployment to Afghanistan. He is survived by a wife, Katherine, and his parents. Joanette, although younger, was on his third deployment. He leaves behind a wife, Marie-Eve.


"Their contribution here in Afghanistan was incredible, and we will remember their sacrifice always," said Vance.


Canada has now lost four soldiers in as many days. Cpl. Nicholas Bulger died from an IED explosion on July 3, and Master Cpl. Charles-Philippe Michaud died the next day, succumbing to injuries he had suffered in a bomb blast the previous month.


"It has been an extremely difficult week here in Kandahar," said Vance. "We all are feeling a great sense of loss."


The latest casualties bring Canada's military death toll in Afghanistan to 124 since the mission began in 2002.
With files from The Canadian Press

MOMVERSATION MONDAY: Who Should Raise Michael Jackson's Kids?

Nancy O'Dell from Access Hollywood and writer of Full of Life: Mom to Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant is back on Momversation to talk about the custody battle that will be going on for Michael Jackson's three children. Who should gain custody? Will Jackson's wishes will be honoured? Who is staking a claim here?

For me as I explained in an earlier post how after Michael Jackson's death everyone wants to get the piece of the pie is this going to happen with the kids?

BUT I must say Dana you cracked me up!! Where is Angelina when three kids need to be saved?! Not to be insensitive of the whole thing but people like Jon and Kate and South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford should be embracing the fact that their indiscretions are no longer on the front page of every magazine! Everyone wants to know what's going on with Jacksons estate, will, funeral and custody hearings.

Back to the topic:
I think that this is a private family issue that will be battled out in court, it doesn't have to be scrutinized by the public and splashed over the media.

I know that Katherine Jackson, Michael's mother will not get custody of the children because Michael wishes it. Her age will be a factor but if they were able to give her custody and have the nanny there to help with the children that would be the best solution. They kids all stay together with family and the nanny that have known them all their lives.
The only detail that is hard to swallow is Joe Jackson having the ability to be in the picture. Now we as the audience in Michael Jackson's life only sees the one side of it all, who knows what happens behind closed doors.


Now in my opinion, some people need to stop thinking of these kids as cash cows or their personal lottery ticket that they can claim. Debbie Rowe is one who I personally think has been flip flopping about custody for years. Now that Michael has passed she wants the kids. Does she want her two kids or does she want them all?


And what about Diana Ross? She is second in line in Michael's will if Katherine would be unable to care for the children. She's not a NUT in the Jackson family tree, maybe some normalcy is what these kids need in their lives.


At this point the kids need to stay together and they need a hero. They need someone who genuinely want the best for them.

Remembering Our Fallen Heroes: Master Cpl. Charles-Philippe Michaud

CTV.ca News Staff

Master Cpl. Charles-Philippe Michaud, from the 2nd Battalion, Royal 22nd Regiment based at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, died at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Michaud was injured around 9:15 a.m. on June 23, when he stepped on a mine while on foot patrol in the Panjwaii district, southwest of Kandahar City.

He was evacuated by helicopter to the hospital at Kandahar Airfield before being flown to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre in Germany.

Michaud was flown to Quebec City on June 28.

According to a Defence Department news release, Michaud, 28, was on his second tour in Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Sunday he knew of Michaud's "heroic battle" to survive his injuries and offered his condolences to the soldier's family.

"We honour his sacrifice," Harper said in a statement. "We stand by our troops and allies in the struggle to bring Afghans a better future and make Canadians safer."

Defence Minister Peter MacKay also issued a statement, saying Michaud's "sacrifice will never be forgotten."

"Master-Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud was a valiant and courageous Canadian soldier who died in service to his country and the world community after being wounded in Afghanistan during a patrol June 23," MacKay said.

"Thanks to Master-Corporal Charles-Philippe Michaud, progress and change is taking place in Afghanistan."

Col. Jean Marc Lanthier, commander of the 5th Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group, called Michaud a mentor to other soldiers, as well as a model soldier. According to Lanthier, Michaud never regained consciousness.

He is survived by his wife, parents and brother.

Michaud's death brings to 122 the total number of Canadian soldiers who have died as part of the Afghan mission since it began in 2002.

Sippy Cup Wars

The battle of the century, a fight to the death, a war that has been brewing since 6 this morning who will win?

WHO WILL WIN THE SIPPY CUP WARS!

On my right weighing in at 40lbs, he's rough, he's tough he's Ducky the Strong!! (insert applause here). On my left weighing in a 23 lbs she's loud, she's thirsty it's Chicky the Cranky!!!

Who will be victorious?

(actual sippy cups)

I don't get it! I handed the green on to Chicky and told Ducky to come to the kitchen and get the red one. After calling him a couple of times he comes in the kitchen to announce he had a drink. And Chicky is now crying. I grab the cup and give it back to Chicky and give Ducky the red cup telling them both they have the same amount of juice, that same amount of juice came from the same container and no one is getting anything different.

What is so great about this green sippy cup? Does the plastic shimmers when light hits it? Does it make a special sound when you sip your juice out of it? No! It looks the same as the red one except it's green!

Finally after some whinning and crying they both took a sippy cup and were fine but my goodness this is not happening when we fly home. I made sure of that. I found some unused sippy cups that are the same size and color.

Let's hope that another sippy cup war is not in the works!

Remembering Our Fallen Heroes: Cpl Nicholas Bulger

CBC News

Bulger, 30, of the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, was killed Friday when the convoy he was in struck a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan's Zhari district.

The explosion hurt five others and narrowly missed a vehicle carrying Canadian Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance, commander of coalition forces in Kandahar province.

Bulger's armoured vehicle, travelling just 15 metres behind, triggered the blast, officials said.
On Friday, Vance praised Bulger as a "passionate" soldier and a family man "with a big heart." Bulger is survived by his wife, Rebeka, and their two daughters, ages four and two, who live in Edmonton.

"Despite his tough exterior, Nick had a big heart, which he lent to everyone in his life and which I had the honour to experience," Vance said. "Although this was his first overseas deployment, he always handled himself as a seasoned infantry soldier."

Bulger was born in Toronto but spent most of his life in Buckhorn, near Peterborough, Ont.

His death brings to 121 the number of Canadian soldiers who have died on the Afghan mission since 2002.

Michael Jackson Mayhem

Is it just me or has every channel on TV been playing non-stop Michael Jackson news?

Can't we just let the family mourn the loss of their son, brother and father without blasting personal family home movies and coming up with conspiracy theories on the death of the self proclaimed King of Pop.

I've heard some doozies! To Michael Jackson having a wife, not being the birth father to his three children to not being dead at all!

Is this the time to be prying into the process of who will have custody of the children, which is clearly marked in his will to be his mom. Do people need to be coming out of the wood works to be objecting to Jackson's wishes?

Is this the time to be bring up indiscretions that have not been proven to be one hundred percent? Can we think of the children here! I'm sure they want to remember their father in the personal way that has not been seen by many people. But please, lets keep splashing photos of doctors who might have given him the drugs that are only used for surgical procedures. Aliases he might have had to gain access to various types of prescriptions. Negligent Homicide is a word that is predominant in the news. I'm sure the kids are not fully sheltered from the media, they must have seen this stuff by now!

But that is the life of this larger than life celebrity. I was kind of expecting the media frenzy once his death was announced. I mean the man was a legend! And he did not live a normal life. Neverland was his home, with animals and a carnival rides. He was nicknamed "Wacko Jacko" specifically because of his antics that attracted the media to him.

The part that shocks me the most is the amount of people who are trying to profit from his death! From the people who promoted his tour, to people showing up to his family's home with intentions to mourn the pop start but once they get in front of the cameras they quickly start to talk about upcoming projects. People who knew the celebrity want to tell their stories, with of course, dollar signs in their eyes! Or am I shocked really? Some just have no shame.

I get it though, I do! This is huge! Many people I have spoken to never thought this day would ever come. I figure like his ranch, he was Peter Pan, going out live all of us.

But right now, we should mourn the death of musical icon. The man who single handedly changed the music industry and set a bar that many have tried to reach.

Can the media circus hold out for one day? Doubtful.

I Love The Things My Kids Do!

Ever had a day that just went so bad that you thought nothing in this world was going to make it better?


Believe me I've had plenty this week!


My hubby told me a couple of days ago that I might end up going back home alone with the kiddies to visit my in laws, alone, because his summer leave was denied. Alone!


Don't get me wrong, I love spending time with my in laws, but the point of this vacation was to spend it together. I've done alone pretty much all year. I wanted two weeks where we could go and see some sights and visit friends, family and maybe be able to go on this road trip some college buds of mine have been planning for months now.


But alone with the kids. Again. That's not vacation and I don't want to impose on my in laws. That's just not fair to them and me.


Anyway, hubby got his leave approved and now I can make plans!


But I was still upset so what do I do? No I don't look for the nearest liquor cabinet (although that would be great to have in the house every once in a while!), I gave the kids a bath and got them ready for bed.


Passing my daughter her toothbrush after she was bathed and ready for bed she stepped on the step stool in the bathroom, pointed her brush at me so I can give her some toothpaste then she proceeded to point at the faucet and wanted some water. The girl is 18 months old! At this point I've been the one brushing her teeth. She leans into the sink and stretches as far as her little arm can reach and lets the water drip onto her brush.

I was a little sad that my baby was growing up but fascinated that she could do it on her own! When they said the second will pick things up much faster than the first they were not kidding! I was so proud! She'll soon be asking for the car keys and credit card.


My boy on the other hand spent the entire time tell knock-knock jokes and I we all were laughing at each other. A precious moment, I had completely forgotten why I was so mad in the first place.


Who needs Vodka now?