2010...What a Year You've Been....

The year started out calmly enough. In January I was expecting baby #3, we were both enjoying our work and life was good.

February brought our ultrasound date. We were having boy #3. Oh my. Another Bowman boy. We had pretty well decided on the name of Finn, but as our tradition, we weren't telling anyone, just in case we wanted to change it.

March came and went. I succeeded at my first crock pot corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day.

April meant Sean turned one (how did that happen?) and we finally paid our Corolla off!

May brought flowers and a new sister in law as David's sister married her partner, Sandy.

June brought birthdays! Dave turned 31 and I turned the big 3-0!

July ushered in fireworks...well, right after the fireworks on July 6 boy #3 was born. Since he was not a blondie (Finn means "fair headed"), Liam picked out Brendan. And Brendan fits him well.

August was a month of healing and getting used to having three boys in the house! And preparing Liam for pre-school, of course!

September brought around a lot of soul searching, praying and calculating. We took a leap of faith and decided for me to stay at home with the boys. This way I can follow my dream of writing AND see all of the milestones that I missed with the first two boys. Plus the money we would save on daycare!

October arrived with a new mission and lots of promise. Mommy's Recess was born! An idea that was created during a playdate now has over 1,000 hits a month! We had a great trick or treating event and were ready for

November brought Thanksgiving, Liam's 5th birthday and more writing jobs! I am loving this work at home gig and can't believe my dreams were coming true!

December meant the end of school, Christmas and checkups for everyone. We had a great holiday with family and friends and are looking forward to 2011. What a crazy and interesting year!

And as far as resolutions go....

Happy New Year!

-Sarah

Mommy's Recess

It's been eight years. Eight years since Emma Rittgers and I have found a project we could come together on. We've been friends since the fall of 2002, when I was working for the Republican Party of Iowa and she was at the Treasurer's office. We ended up working on Scavo's campaign together and have been friends since. In the fall of 2004, I was working for Senator Grassley's re-election Campaign and she was working to get President Bush re-elected. While we were both working to get Republicans re-elected to office, and while we'd run into each other at dinners and parades, we rarely had time to hang out.

I've known Emma and her (then) boyfriend Tim longer than I've known my husband. Which tells you that Emma and Tim know some of my ex-boyfriends. But once David (my husband) had the approval of Emma and Tim, I knew he was a keeper.

Almost two years later, they visited us in the hospital to welcome our first son. They were recently engaged, but kept it a secret from us so it wouldn't "steal our thunder". We were engaged a month later.

They were married in August of 2006, David and I married in October of 2006. At that time, Emma was working for Nussle's campaign for Governor and I was the Co-Chair of the Polk County Republican Party. We were involved in their wedding, and they stood up for us (Bridesmaid and Groomsman). When David deployed in 2007, they were always there for me.

When David returned in 2008, we found out we were expecting. Emma was expecting a month after me. Our middle son and her son are only a month apart. After I decided to stay at home with our third child, Emma and I started a play date. Our oldest attends preschool near their home, so I take the middle child and baby to her house once a week to play and visit. We had been sharing tips and recipes and decided that we need to do a blog, for moms by moms.

And that's how Mommy's Recess  came to be. A brain child of two political operatives turned mothers turned bloggers. Check it out. And we'll try to keep the politics to a minimum. :)

Four Years...

Four years ago on Thursday, David and I married. Since then, we've moved three times, survived a year long deployment to Iraq, had a total of 5 job changes and added two little boys to our family. What a crazy four years!

I do recall how I felt on our first anniversary. Dave was in Iraq and I was trying NOT to remember that it was our anniversary. I watched football with my sister in laws and tried to keep my mind off of the fact that my husband was thousands of miles away, in danger, and he'd be there for many more months. If you want to read that post, feel free.  One Year Anniversary Post

This year was different. While he still had to work, I didn't have to worry about mortars, gunfire or roadside bombs. I knew I could call him and he'd answer. He brought roses home after work and since the boys were in bed, we actually had a chance to talk in peace.

I think that our first year was our hardest. Surviving that deployment was so hard, but it made us stronger. I don't take it for granted that he'll be next to me when I wake up...because for a year, he wasn't.

It's been a great but busy four years...and I look forward to the next forty.

I survived!!

My first day back wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. My thoughtful coworkers brought in treats, I got a really sweet card from a co-worker and my manager was more than understanding if I wanted to make it a short day. But I did it. I stuck it out, lasted all day long and only called daycare once.

And I didn't cry.

I am a rockstar. :)

Now let's see if I can do it tomorrow!

Mommy "The Princess"

Last weekend we had a Bowman family get together for our birthdays. David and his dad share a birthday, and mine is 6 days later. It makes it easy to do it all at once! Grandma Bowman asked Liam what kind of cake she should get for me, and Liam said "A Princess Cake!"

Today, when I informed him that my birthday is tomorrow, he informed me that I should have a mermaid cake. I said, "Mermaid?" He continued, "Yeah! And I will stir it with a pogo stick!"

Being the only female in the house does allow me to have Princess status. But I'm not sure if I'd want to eat a mermaid cake stirred with a pogo stick. Sorry, Liam.

Love Thursday...The First Anniversary Post....

On Sunday, David and I will celebrate our first anniversary...even if we are roughly 6656 miles apart (give or take a mile).

It's interesting/ironic how the song we chose for our first dance fits our current situation. We chose 311's (cover of The Cure's) "Love Song".

The lyrics read:

Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am whole again

Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am young again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am fun again

However far away, I will always love you
However long I stay, I will always love you
Whatever words I say, I will always love you
I will always love you

Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am free again
Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am clean again

However far away, I will always love you
However long I stay, I will always love you
Whatever words I say, I will always love you
I will always love you

This song has come true in so many ways. Basically, David has been gone since March. It's been a rough year, for all of us.

In July, when Dave had 4 days of leave and Liam and I visited him, in the night, when all was quiet, Dave turned to me and said, "It's weird. Even though I know I'm in a hotel, I feel like we're back at our apartment."

Whenever I'm alone with you
You make me feel like I am home again

And it did.

And of course, this will always be true. Even if we're 6,600+ miles apart.

However far away, I will always love you
However long I stay, I will always love you
Whatever words I say, I will always love you
I will always love you

Happy First Anniversary, David. Even though we can't hold each other on our first anniversary, it will make our second anniversary that much sweeter.



"Pure love transcends the body. It is between hearts. It has nothing to do with bodies." Amma

What?? An update??

Yes. I'm updating. I've been so busy with weddings, family events, trying to get our room in order...I haven't had a chance to update!!

Another reason I've been slacking is because, while I have been online, it hasn't been with you guys. MY HUSBAND HAS THE INTERNET!!!!!! It's SO great being able to IM and Skype with him. Being able to see my husband for the first time in two months was so bittersweet. I cried the first time I talked to him online. If you would like his e-mail address, just e-mail me and I'll send it to you. It's sure costing us a pretty penny for him to have his own internet connection, but its worth it. It'd be nice if it was something the military would pay for, but oh well.

I've been reminded that our first anniversary is on Sunday. *deep breath* I'm not going to lie to you, this is really hard. Everytime I think about it, I get tears in my eyes. What I wouldn't give to be able to give him just a hug on our first anniversary. I'm trying not to think about it and I've decided that the only thing I want for our anniversary (I mean, OTHER than my husband) is for the Cubbies to win--that's assuming they don't win all of the first three games, which would be sweet too. :) Goats, you're on notice. I'll be watching the game (again, keeping my mind off of what DATE it actually is) and once that's over (and the Cubs win) I'll be watching football.

I should be able to talk to David that day, so that will be nice. I've already sent him his anniversary cards and gift (he wanted Superman bedsheets).

Rest assured, I'll be back tomorrow for Love Thursday. It'll be a sappy wedding post. :)

Letters from Iraq....

I got my first "care package" in the mail yesterday from Dave. It contained a few gifts for Liam and I, as well as a few books he'd finished reading. He also included a card and a letter for me. Both made me cry.

He talked about how he missed me a lot, how he's got pictures of Liam and I hanging over his bed and when he gets frustrated, he just looks at our pictures and he's reminded of why he's there and who he has waiting at home for him. He called me his "lovely wife" and Liam, his "son who needs a haircut." :)

He always knew how to make me laugh through my tears.

He thanked me for the packages, as they keep him going. And he hopes he should have the internet soon (he'd better--we've had it paid for for the last month!!) so he can see Liam and I.

I've read his letter at least 50 times, and it is sitting on my nightstand. I had to read it once more before going to bed last night. And I fell asleep faster than I have in a long time.

Now if I could just shake this flu bug, life would be okay...

Funny Fhoto Friday...Weddings...

Next weekend Liam and I will be heading to a friends wedding in Iowa City. Jaret (an usher at our wedding) and his fiancee Leah will be getting hitched. And it got me thinking about our own wedding (and how fast we're coming up on our first anniversary!!).

If you were not in attendance at our wedding, you missed out. It was an affair...but a lot of fun (once all of the work was done, that is).

Dave's a comedian. He always has been. My biggest fear at the wedding (other than catching my veil on fire/tripping in my dress) was that he'd smash the cake in my face.

See, he's being really nice here....


Then I started saying, "Please be nice, please be nice, please be nice...."



Well....he smashed it...so I smashed back...

Love Thursday....The Iowa State Fair...

So maybe I'm a month late with this post...deal. :)

Growing up, we went to the fair every year. We even camped out there one summer. The summer it rained and rained and we spent more time in the camper than at the fair. Oh...and remember Dad? The year your Scout got backed into?? Yeah, we won't go there. :)

Anyway, I LOVE going to the fair. The food, the people...the people...and, of course, the agriculture.

Liam was SO excited to see the baby piggy....



And ride the pony...



And, of course...when it's 90 degrees out, who doesn't love playing in water...







He was soaked, but he had a great time.

And we couldn't pull him out of the corn box for anything!!!





Love is having a great day with your family at the Iowa State Fair.

Things I'm learning...Part 2--Post Office Edition

See? I told you I'm learning a lot.

1. Flat rate boxes are a life (and bank account) saver.

Counting the boxes I'm dropping off tonight, I'll have sent 6 packages to Iraq already. Six. In less than a month. I think I'm doing pretty good as a wife. :) And considering the flat rate boxes cost 8.95, no matter how much you pack into them (just as long as they don't bulge) it's really saved our pocketbook too.

2. I really CAN pack. I just didn't know it.

Maybe we could call this 1.b, because it is kind of along the same lines. I had no idea I could fit so many pictures, dvd's(because I take them out of their cases), books, papers, drink mixes etc etc etc. into a box. Creative packing...that's all I've got to say.

3. Don't let the toddler near the boxes while packing.

I wouldn't be suprised if Dave called to tell me that one of Liam's cars ended up in Iraq. Liam's always pulling things out/putting things into the boxes when I'm trying to find the customs form/find more things to put in the box/clean up Liam's previous mess. I've learned I just have to sit down with all of my items, THEN put the box together, THEN pack it. No breaks in between. Because Lighting McQueen might end up over there...and heaven forbid we have to wait the shipping time for it to come back!!

4. The people at the post office already know me.
I go to the same post office after work when I have a package to send. And the postal employees have started asking me how he is...lol. They wave and smile when they see me now and know that when I come in, our transaction will always end with, "Can I get a few more of the flat rate boxes?"

Well, time to fill out those oh, so fun custom forms!

Things I'm learning....

I'd like to start a "things I'm learning" segment to the blog. I've learned a lot already in this deployment, and I'm sure, in the next year, I will learn a lot more.

So, for the first "Things I'm learning"...

1. People really don't know what to say.

When people find out that Dave's deployed, they really don't know what to say to me. Some people think it's a good idea to bash the war. I don't know how many times I've heard, "Let's bring those boys home." They learn (pretty quickly) that's really not my stance. And, being an Army wife with a deployed husband, I'd like to think that my opinion is a little more "valid". I recently laid into a political staffer who said, "Well, don't you want your husband home?" Yeah. I do. But being selfish right now isn't in the best interest of the world. The Iraqi people deserve freedom. Just because I want my husband home doesn't mean that they shouldn't have freedom. I also don't think this is a good lesson to show my son. When you do something, you do it right, and you do it until the job is done. Whether we should have gone over there in the first place doesn't matter now. We're there. Let's finish it and do it right. Anything worth doing isn't easy. I don't want my son to think, 'Hey, dad missed out on a lot of my milestones for nothing.' When things get tough, you don't just put your tail between your legs and retreat. That doesn't solve anything.

People also apologize. I don't want to hear that 'you're sorry'. I know there really are no other words. Other than, "Aw, man. That sucks." That's about the best response I've gotten in this deployment. It's true. It does suck.

2. The only movies that I should watch must contain a muppet or two.

Anything else makes me cry. I happened upon Forrest Gump the other night. Good Lord. I cried and cried. Even comedies make me cry. Why? I always think, "David would LOVE this movie." Then I cry.

3. The ONLY people who really understand what you're going through are other army wives/fiance's who going through this same deployment--right now.

Please. Don't tell me that you know "exactly" how I feel because your husband was gone last week/for a few days/overnight. I could do a week standing on my head. And I really don't want to hear, "Well, he's only been gone a few months. That's not that bad, yet." Really? That's easy for you to say because you slept next to your husband last night, in your bed, safely. I know you're trying to help me. But it's not working. It just makes me feel worse.

I've been blessed to be able to talk to a few Army wives (Bush's wife and Barnes' wife) and Army fiancee (Smith's fiance) who know exactly how I feel. Liam and I might have to take a trip to Kansas to visit the gals. :)

4. I need to make time to cry. (aka: I should have bought stock in Kleenex)
I've found that when I try to be strong and not cry, it just creeps up on me and the tears flow at the most inoppurtune time (like sitting at my desk at work when one of "our songs" happen to come on the radio). I've found it's best to sit down, take a deep breath late at night and just let it out. This way Steve Perry can't sneak up on me. (Damn you, Journey and your wonderful ballads!)

5. I'm stronger than I ever thought I could be.
I've been through a lot in my 27 years on this planet. I've seen a lot. I've experienced a lot. I never thought I could miss someone as much as I miss Dave. Yet, somehow, I find the strength to get out of bed every morning, go to work, be the best mom I can be to our son and go to bed...just to do it all over again the next day. One day down, one day closer to being back in my husband's arms.

Love Thursday/Funny Fhoto Friday...

It's a two for one deal...

When Liam and I went up to visit Dave, I finally had the chance to try on his armor that he's been complaining about for the last few months. He was always saying, "This HAS to be worse than pregnancy!!" Really? Let's see. And I told him I'd put it on if he agreed to wear a sympathy belly the next time I'm pregnant. And it was a deal.

So I put it on. Sure, its heavy, but its EVEN weight...not all out front. It doesn't make your hips ache and there is no one kicking you from the inside when you're trying to sleep.

So it's nothing like pregnancy. Now I can't wait for Dave to get home and get a picture of him with the sympathy belly on...LOL.



Love is the ability to be goofy with your husband...just before saying "See you in a few months".

Birthday....

David already celebrated his birthday away from his family, and now its my turn to celebrate without him.

It makes me sad. My mother in law asked me what I wanted for my birthday. I said, "A hug from my husband." =(

I won't let this day get me down. I want to thank all of my friends who have sent gifts, cards and called. You are making this a lot easier on me.

Well, you guys, and random cat macros. They always make me laugh.

So I leave you with a few.





LOL.

Love Thursday....IMAGE HEAVY POST

Since I haven't hooked my computer up to the internet and uploaded new photos, you'll have to deal with old ones.

That being said, I love my digital camera. I bought it off of ebay shortly after Liam was born...and I'm so glad I did. I've been able to snap some great pictures of Liam over the past year and a half (yes, he turned 18 months on Saturday) and I'm hoping to take many, many, many more.

Love is taking great pictures of your growing son and loving family...

Liam at three months



My husband and son watching Fox News and reading the paper



Liam (7 months) and Dave at a friend's wedding



Fourth of July, 2006


Ready for Tim and Emma's wedding, August 2006


Discovering Shadows...August 2006



Discovering Houseplants...and eating the dirt...September 2006



Fun at the park...September 2006



BUSTED!! Playing in the kitchen...in the cat's food...November 2006


First Birthday...November 2006


Liam the Reindeer..December 2006



BEFORE his THIRD haircut---January 2007 (only 13 months old and three haircuts!!)



AFTER his haircut


Watching the snow...February 2007

Fhoto Friday....Memorial Day Weekend Edition...Family and Service

We come from a long line of military service. My maternal grandfather fought in WWII, Dave's dad and both of his grandpas served in wars.

But the strangest coincidence of David and I...the Sarah I was named after.

Sarah, my great-great grandmother, was a teacher in a one room schoolhouse. She met a gentleman named David. When Dave and I first started dating, my dad was the first to point this out.

David (my great-great grandfather) had fought in the civil war (for the North). David (the guy I was dating) was in the Army Reserves. So both David's were military men as well.

Well, as you all know, David and Sarah (us) were married...so there is yet another David and Sarah in the family...the strangest coincidence? Sarah and David's first son was also named William. We didn't realize this until some time after we'd had William.

But David and Sarah (the first set) had something like 10 kids. As much as Grandma Bowman would like this, I can tell you that won't happen.

Here some pictures from David's (my husband's) "see you in a year" party we held for him.

David and his maternal Grandfather (both Veterans)


David's Cake



David and his best friend, Josh, who drove all the way from Chicago to come to the party for only a few hours


As you can read here, President Bush is asking all Americans, beginning in each locality at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 28 as a time to unite in prayer. He also asks all Americans to observe the National Moment of Remembrance beginning at 3:00 p.m.

So if you see a veteran, or a family member of a service member this weekend, thank them. It's not just an extra day off of work...it is so much more.

Fhoto Friday...Family Traditions...

David and I grew up in two very different homes. He was a city boy, I grew up near/on a farm. We both have our family traditions and our son is getting the best of both worlds...and he seems to like both city and country life.

He likes to watch sports with mommy



and make monkey sounds playing with daddy.




He likes trucks and tractors like what mommy grew up around,





and movies and popcorn, like daddy.




Being a parent is a lot of fun...and I think Liam is getting the best of both worlds.

Love Thursday....

Now that the weather is warming up, that means it is baseball season!! YAY!! We're Cubs fans (well, Liam and I are, Dave is a Yankee's fan) and we went to a Chicago Cubs game last year. We met a friend of mine (from Livejournal) and her daughter (same birth month as Liam) for the game. Dave's Aunt and Uncle from Minnesota also met us for the game.

Liam...you do like the Cubs, don't you??



Go CUBS!!!


Dave pretending he's interested in the game...


Love is short but sweet family vacations...and the Chicago Cubs.

It has come to my attention...

that there are a few of my blog readers who are not pleased with my current living situation. While I do not need to justify myself to ANYONE I feel I need to stand up for myself.

I'm 26 years old. I'm married and we have one 17 month old son. Do you recall how hectic life was when your children were this age? Can you imagine working full time while taking care of your child and your home...and yourself? Can you imagine doing it all alone--KNOWING that your husband is in a region where people are set out to kill him?!?!

I moved in with my sister in law for many reasons.

For financial help. I plan on putting money aside so when David returns, most of our debt will be paid off and we will have a nice downpayment for a home.

I did it for emotional help. Surviving a deployment isn't easy. Knowing your husband is in harms way, knowing that he is seeing things that NO ONE should see isn't going to be easy on him. Having him in such a dangerous place isn't going to be easy on me. I cannot call him if I want. I cannot hear his voice or see his face every day. I just wait and pray that no officer comes to our door in the middle of the night to deliver horrible news...and I wait. I wait for the day he calls to tell me, "Honey, I'm coming home."

I have accomplished quite a bit in my 26 years on this planet. I have TWO college degrees. I graduated with honors. I have worked on a Senatorial campaign. I have had my poetry published. I have been a published opinion columnist.

I have a wonderful selfless husband and we have a bright, friendly, loving little boy. I have made a great name for myself, not only in the political realm but in Des Moines. I have risen the ranks from member of the Polk County Republican Central Committee to Secretary to Co-Chair. I am a breastfeeding mentor to three young mothers, and they are all succeeding. I have many great friends and collegues. And I'm planning for my future.

So we don't own a home. How many 26 year olds really do? We have a plan. And we're working our plan. Some may say that, at the age of 26, I should have more. I think I have plenty for where I am at right now. I've experienced a lot. A lot more than most 50 year olds. Homes, cars, expensive purses and shoes are just things. You can't take them with you when you go...but as long as people remember you, you live on. I've touched many lives so far with my mentoring, my writing, my political work...and I do not plan to stop.

So yes, for now I am living in the lower level of my sister in law's home.

But keep in mind that I am living there because my husband is over fighting a war so that your husband/brother/son doesn't have to.

The last thing I need right now is people judging me and my decisions at this point in my life, when I need support the most. I appreciate all of the support I've had so far...from my parents, my in-laws, our friends...and all of the support will be remembered.

I leave you with this:

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment that you pronounce you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Matthew 7. 1-5

Love Thursday...A Day late....

So we sent Dave off. It was a very sad moment, but he's going to do something great. He's a brave, brave, man.

Love is being thankful that you were able to get a few family pictures before leaving. Love is taking time off of work just to go to the park with your boys. Love is seeing the look in Liam's eyes when his dad pushes him on the swing.

Here are a few family pictures we were able to take before he left.







Love is our little family...