Introductions Please!

I know it's still your Thursday, but it's almost my Friday -- and not to undervalue the importance of Bad Poetry Thursday, I am submitting my Friday post now (I have big dreams for Fridays).

I have never really introduced you to my family.

I hate writing in code (J1, J2 etc...). If no children were involved, I'd be putting out name, address, phone number, and inviting you over for a cuppa.

But as a military family, we have to practice OPSEC at all times.
So, all sickos, perverts and terrorists, please leave this blog now.

Ahhh, that's better, a little less crowded (there's 9 of you now).

Anyway, in order of appearance in my life:


There's J1 or Son #1 or 19-year old.

He's the proof that doctors don't know everything. His Dad and I were both told we would probably not make any chillin's. Anyway, J1 is here and his Dad went on to have two girls in another marriage and I, well, The Hubby and I are just short of a baseball team.
J1 is incredibly talented. He writes his own music and can play 40 different instruments. He's amazing on the trumpet, and equally impressive on the drums. He records his songs by playing every instrument and then mixing them. Someday, I will put one of his songs on here. He's amazing-- a little Tom Delong-ish He wants to be a Herpetologist. He lives with snakes. Um, that sounded bad because he's currently residing in my Mother's basement while waiting for his apartment application to be approved. I really meant the slithering, sometime poisonous things.

The Hubby.
He appeared after J1.

I was relieved that I now had someone to feel safe with. I could actually fall asleep and NOT listen for every little sound... until the night the dog vomited all over the carpet next to our bed and I cleaned it-- large with child, exhausted, crying and with the light on--right next to him and he never stirred. So much for feeling safe.
He's VERY romantic and an all around great guy, and a left-brainer (teetering on Nerdy). He spends just about every waking moment trying to make me happy... a little daunting and cool at the same time.

J2

10 years younger than J1. He's got deep chocolate-brown eyes that sparkle when he's happy and are also the first clues when he's coming down with something. He's a perfectionist and has to master anything he tries. He was a natural in baseball, but came to England and began obsessing with football. He's also pretty impressive with the trumpet. His older brother passed his down to him and the music director was so impressed with J2's musical abilities, he recommended an advanced group for him to play in once a week. This boy LOVES his sister!
J2's got a tender heart, but doesn't show his emotions. When he cries, I know something terrible is happening. He's got a girl. and he's 9.

A1

About the time J2 was born, I was blissfully hormonal and said, "Let's have another one!" So 18 months later, we did. Hubby's dad had made a comment, "What's with all the 'J's?" So this baby got an "A" name. I was flown off of an island in the Azores at 34 weeks pregnant and spent the next month alone in Maryland. During one of their worst winters. ever. Knowing NO ONE and not having a car. I had a red flag on my medical charts for depression during the pregnancy and yet was left alone.
"Stork Nesting" is another brilliant Air Force program that needs a little tweaking.
A1 is very sensitive. Loud sounds, bright lights, any angry talk would really upset him as a baby. He was hospitalized with severe jaundice on day 6, so had to undergo various tests as he got older to see if there was any damage. I have often wondered if maybe he has Aspergers. He ticks so many of the boxes. He has the kindest, sweetest soul, and he's a math whiz.

A2
Imp.

This is the one that I don't mind when he sneaks up to be in my bed. He loves to cuddle. He's a ham--very funny little guy. I spent the first year of his life worrying that something was wrong with him. His eyes are wider set than everybody else's and he just always had a "duh...." expression. I thought my "old eggs" had had an impact on the poor little fellow.
I quit worrying when I looked at some of his Dad's pictures and saw the same expression. He loves school and is well-liked by the other kids. He has a passive nature I think... well, sometimes. If a kid at school takes something from him, his expression is, "what the heck?" but then he'll turn and move on to something else. Not at home. He has the LOUDEST cry and can really throw a tantrum. We're gonna keep him anyway.

Miss Ky

Surprise! This is what God says to you when The Hubby says "Hey honey, we're moving to England and we'll want to travel a lot, so I think I'd better book the vasectomy".
Thank (Him) that He knows better than we do.
I hated comments like, "Will you try for a girl?" (as if my four boys were a disappointment). Even after her birth when people would say (in front of my other children) "Well, you finally got your girl! You must be so happy." I would cringe.
Yes, I finally got my girl that I didn't even know I wanted. I am enjoying her tremendously. Except when she's climbing, tearing things up, throwing important things away, pouring cereal on the floor...
She's a beautiful sleeper.
No really, this is the happiest baby I have ever had the privilege of knowing.

So, that's my family.
My pride and joy.
The demise of my lovely skin and
the cause of my greying hair.

Now maybe my stories will mean more to you.
Or maybe now you'll go join the others who left at the beginning.