Okay, don't fall over. So I decided not to wait 6 months between blog posts, big deal. I just don't want to clean my house and thought this would be something I could say I did that was still productive. hehehe

The boys are great. Zack just earned his Bear Badge in Cub Scouts. He was excited. Sorry no pictures because his den leader isn't very good about contacting us and we didn't know he was getting it until they called him up. GGGgggrrrrrr

School is going well for him right now. He has improved a great deal over the last few months. He earned most improved student of the month a little while back. His spelling grades have proven his increased effort. His continues to work 1:1 with his teacher every Friday which is a big help.

Logan is a big boy now. He has gone pee in the potty 3 times today!!!! I only put a diaper on him once so far today and that was to lay him down for his nap. WWWWWooooo HHHHooooo

He is a combination of sweet heart and monster most days. He loves to throw food all over the kitchen at every meal time. I can't figure out how to stop this behavior. I take his food away and put him in timeout and he laughs. I make him clean it up and he thinks it's a game. I ignore him and he again thinks it's a game. I don't even know what to do with him. I hate the terrible two's!!!

Stephen is okay. He has been injured for over a month and every time he thinks he is getting better he injures himself again. It is his ribs. He had an x-ray but nothing appears to be broken. He thinks he tore a muscle.

Beside physically he is doing great. He is still on track for Honor Grad. He's scores are still really high. He was put up for soldier of the week and came in second then put up for another award and came in second AGAIN. He really hopes to get selected again so he can grab 1st this time.

I went and saw Stephen for Valentine's Day. I was there 3 days. We had such a great time. It was so nice to have that time to reconnect. It is really hard having a long distance marriage sometimes, especially when you are pregnant.

Speaking of pregnancy, mine is going great. I haven't had any big issues to speak of. Just my heart thing still. It is a little annoying but nothing I can't handle. I have been doing good with weight gain. I think I will gain a bit more this time than with Logan but that is probably good since I really didn't gain enough last time. I am 31 weeks (on Tues.) now and feel and look the part. I haven't been very good about taking belly pictures so sorry I don't have any for you. Trust me, it's there and getting big. Just picture what I would look like if I had swallowed a women's basketball and was holding my shirt up. That's about right.

I just want to give a quick shout out to Bonnie (my step-mother) who just completed her round of radiation treatment. She recently was diagnosed with breast cancer and has been a trooper in her battle to kick it's butt!!!!! GO BONNIE!!!!! Remember to show your support to all the women you know who have fought this battle. Early detection is the key ladies!!!!

A Little Past The 1/2 Way Mark

Well it has been a while, sorry about that. As you can imagine life is a bit busy and exhausting for me. It can be a bit much sometimes being pregnant, working, taking care of a 9 year old and 2 year old boy, and having your husband away. I do what I can.

Everyone is doing pretty well. Stephen is nearing the end of his training. He has about 8 weeks left. I think he would back me saying he will be happy to move on to the next stage of his career. He is tired of living with a bunch of guys in bunk beds. He has made some great friends but he had also found some people he can't wait to get away from.

At this point he is on top with education and physical training. As long as he can stay on this path he will be able to get honor grad. That would go on his record and look really good when it comes to promotions and opportunites.

The sad part is that Stephen has basically been fighting cold after mutan cold since he left 5 1/2 months ago. As soon as one passes another one comes. He can't wait to be rid of all the germs that come with mass living.

Zack is doing ok. He is still being a handfull and a 1/2. He is improving in school. His teacher is a great help. He has been tutoring every Friday 1:1 with him and it seems to be working. He had is Pinewood Derby car race this last weekend. He didn't do so hot but it was fun. He still hangs out with the nextdoor neighbor boys all the time. They are good kids and I really love their whole family so it is great. Besides his friends everything is Star Wars right now. He got tons of Star Wars toys for Christmas and is always looking for the "rare" guys at the store when we go.

Logan is getting big (still small though). He is a little chatter box. That kid says anything now. Don't say it if you don't want him to repeat it. Between him speaking and signing there is nothing he can't get across anymore. He is into Thomas, Cars, Wall-E, trucks, and playing outside. He moved up to a toddler bed at Christmas with no problems. He loves being a big boy. He still won't come out of his room without permission most of the time though. He will open and shut the door until you tell him he can come out. It's cute.

As for me, I don't even know. I really don't have much time to do much besides stick to my mom routine. My days are basically always the same as the one before; go to work, come home and pick up Zack, start some laundry, make dinner, clean up the massive mess that Logan makes all over the kitchen at dinner, get the kids ready for bed, pass out. That's about it. I keep the house picked up but can never seem to find time to do the deep cleaning. I still try to play games with my girlfriends every few weeks or so. We took a break around the holidays but are trying to get back on track. I have been reading a lot lately. When the kids are watching T.V. or if I'm not tired once they are down. It's all about the Twilight series right now. I'm 1/2 way through book 3.

We are all really missing Stephen. I know he feels the same about us too. As it looks right now we won't be able to join him until after the baby is born and big enough to move. We are 26 weeks along right now so if that tells you anything about the long road we still have to endure until we can all be together again. By the time it is all said and done we will have been apart for about 11 months I think. His orders say Texas at this point but that can change anytime from now til the it's time to report basically. If we hear anything new I will let you all know.

Take care and keep in touch.

Your Left Your Left Your Left Right Left

Stephen has done it, he graduated from Army Basic Training on October 23, 2008!!!!! We are so proud of him. His mother (Kay) the boys and myself all flew to Missouri for the event. It was a long journey but worth every agonizing minute. Stephen looked so handsome in his Class A uniform. He gained 12 pounds of muscle in the 9 weeks he was in training. He weighs more than he ever has. You can tell he is proud of all his accomplishments. He seems to walk a little taller now.

The boys were very happy to see him. We were worried Logan wouldn't take to him right away but he did. He knew that was Daddy. He wouldn't stop staring at him for quite a while. It was cute. He played with and showed Stephen all the changes he has made in the last 9 weeks too. Stephen couldn't believe how much he talks now. I tried to count and am guessing he is up to around 75 words now and adds new ones everyday it seems.

It was so hard to drop Stephen back off after his 11 hour family day visit. I cried more this time then when he left home to start basic. I guess I knew how hard it is this time. Zack was very upset too. It broke my heart to see him so sad.

Stephen left the next day for a long bus ride to Fort Sam Houston, Texas which is in San Antonio. He arrived early Saturday morning. Upon arrival they were informed that they were not going to be starting AIT for 3 weeks. Training only starts once a month and one had just started a week before. So he is stuck in holding for 3 weeks!!! Frustrating!!! Another piece of bad new he got was that they were not allowed to go home for Thanksgiving like they had originally thought. That was hard for me to swallow. I was getting by on the knowledge that I would see him in a month. I arranged it so that I can still do that by flying to Texas to see him instead. It is super expensive so it will just be Logan and myself, Zack will have Thanksgiving with his dad this year.

Besides all the bad news things are going well in Texas. He is able to call me every day now instead of once a week. We almost are used to not talking. It was hard at first to think of things to say every day again. We are good now though. Like teenagers who spend an hour on the phone with their friends every day. It's funny. He and the most of the rest of his platoon got tickets to a NBA game. They watched the Phoenix Suns stomp the Spurs. I guess everyone yelled at Stephen for cheering the Suns. What can he say, he's from AZ.

That's it for now I think. Have a good one.

Alpha Beta Charlie, (gotta know those ABC's)

Well, Stephen didn't get to start actual BCT until Friday the 22nd. This means he won't graduate until he has been there 11 weeks instead of 9 weeks. And so life according to Army orders begins!!!

He had injured his knee by pulling a ligament. He wasn't in actual BCT yet so he was gonna ride it out. He almost went to sick call because he was worried it wasn't getting better fast enough. He didn't go though and it is much better. He just has a slight twinge now and then now.

BCT started off with a physical exam. They had to do a 2 mile run, push-ups and sit-ups as fast as they could. I don't remember his exact numbers, but they were good. They were divided into 3 groups depending on those numbers; Alpha, Beta, or Charlie. Just like grades A is best. Stephen is in Alpha. By the end all the guys have to get to Alpha group before they can graduate. He is already there, so we know he won't be behind physically.

About a week or so ago a DS (drill Sargent) came in and called 6 names for a test. Stephen's was one of them. They were confused because the rest of the guys didn't have to take it. You never ask though, you just do. Come to find out it was a test that the smarty pants guys who scored really high on their entrance exam had to take to test their intelligence. It was either a audio or visual tape of some dude with a thick accent teaching them a pretend language. They had 20 minutes to study the fake language then take a test on it. Only a couple of the guys past and Stephen was one of them.

On a not so great note, Stephen and a couple other guys got busted writing letters after lights out and got the whole platoon in trouble. They all had to get out of bed and go outside for a punishment of exercises. Stephen and the other bad boys had to stand in the front and watch they peer get punished for their mistakes. Stephen said it was awful and it WON'T happen again.

That is all I can think of for now. Just wanted to give you a quick update. The boys and I fine. We are getting by as best we can. I am actually proud of how much I am able to get accomplished in a day.

Phoenix to Missouri ON TIME

Well, the day came faster than we wanted as many things do, Stephen has reported in. He is currently in Missouri. He called me from the airport to tell me he had arrived. I didn't get to talk to him much. He did say that there wasn't much going on yet. They picked Stephen to be a leader in the transfer from Phoenix to Missouri. I guess being an "old guy" in the Army is already setting Stephen apart.

The boys and I are doing fine. Sure we are sad and wish he had gotten his extension till the 11th, but honestly the longer we waited the more the anxiety built. I think I feel better now that he has gone and I am not stressing about how I am going to handle it. As long as we stay busy we will get through just fine.

Logan is sick YET AGAIN. We were at work today and he started getting a runny nose and a fever. He is now coughing, sneezing and is drained of all energy. I can see it in his little eyes. Poor guy. I could have a pity party about the timing of his illness, but I won't. Oh well, just another thing to keep my mind busy. When your babies are sick you don't have time to think about anything else.

I will try to keep updating you as much as possible as promised. Pictures might be on hold for a while though. I lost our camera in Phoenix last weekend so until I can get another camera we can't take any new pictures.

STOP THE PRESSES!!

Alright Ya'll don't have a heart attack!!! Yea, I am going to give you an update.

Let's see anything new since the last time I wrote? Well being that that was almost a year ago I suppose there have been many things new. I will try to stick to the biggies for ya.

Lets go by people. We will start with Logan. Logan is now 21 months old. He is a smart little turd. He is talking more and more every day. He does a little bit of sign language. His fav. words in sign are "more", "please" and "thank you". His vocabulary is getting pretty extensive. If I had to guess the number of words he can speak I would say 30+. He never went through the stage that kids go through where they say No to everything. If you ask him a question he will answer yes or no. It is so nice, because I feel like we can actually communicate and it prevents a lot of the toddler frustration. He does get a little frustrated when he is trying to tell me something and I don't understand. I just say "show me" and he takes off running and pointing.

Logan is still small. He doesn't look as small as he used to now that the growth for his age group has slowed a bit. He was able to catch up a little. He is however still BALD. Okay, not completely, but pretty darn close. He will get a random 3 in. long hair that sticks off the side of his head. I will go to grab it thinking it is one of mine that is stuck in his hair and whoops it's attached. He feels me do it then he starts pulling at his hair. Unfortunately being 1 1/2 the only time he is still enough to see these sorts of things is at the dinner table when he is trapped in his chair which means I just encouraged him to put food in his hair!!

Now Zack. Well, not to be mean, but he is not at a fun age. He has become quite the arguer. It's like pulling teeth to get him to cooperate with anything. Chores time is always fun. All I can say is "Is Summer Over Yet"!!! And all you parents reading this thinking I am mean, don't pretend you didn't feel the same way at some point in your child's upbringing. Especially if your MY parent, because I know better. Those of you who have younger children, don't judge either, your day is approaching.

Zack isn't really in to anything right now. He like playing video games, but I limit how much he can play. It is too hot in Arizona to really play outside (another reason summer in AZ is no fun). He has become connected at the hip to our next door neighbor boy Caleb. Which is fine, I am good friends with his mom and they are a great family. I don't know what he is going to do once school starts though because Caleb and his brother are home schooled. At this age if your school friends don't live close by it is hard to stay connected through the summer. I hope he adjusts well once school starts. He usually pulls the class clown act to fit in and make friends about week 2 into the school year. Well, school starts next week so we will see soon enough.

Well there isn't much new with me. I had mono, but am pretty much better now. I still wheeze now and then, but I guess I could have that for months and months. I still work for my in laws business. I have made some good friends near where I live so I have a good friend network for once in my life. Don't get me wrong, I have always had friends, but it was always two or three good friends who didn't hang out with each other. With my new "network" of friends I can actually have little get-togethers which is way more fun.

Now Stephen. Well what can I say that most of you don't already know? Stephen has joined the Army. He will be leaving for basic training in about a week or so. Yes, we are all very sad that he is leaving, but trust me, we discussed this decision and decided that it is for the best. The boys and I will join him once he has finished all of his training (in about 7 months). He has 9 weeks of basic training in Missouri then he goes to Texas for 19 weeks for his job training. He is going to be a hospital medic. His long term goal is to use the A-Med program to go through pharmacy school. This program pays 100% for school costs and pays you your Army salary while you are in pharmacy school. When in pharmacy school you are not required to perform your normal job duties and your "job" is to go to school. The Army does nothing for free (I can hear you all saying it), yes, we know. He will in turn have to recommit 1 year of service for every year he was a student in the A-Med program. The Army isn't going to pay you to become Dr. if they don't get to use your skills. Stephen is ready for this, and if anyone has negative comments they want to get out, let me give a suggestion that was once given to me. Write your negativity down in as much detail as you want. Get it all out. Be as mean or as rude as you want. Hell, even use as much profanity as you want. Then BURN IT, because we don't want to hear it. I support my husband 100% and that is all that matters. I don't want any of our friends or family trying to break his spirit before he embarks on the most difficult journey of his life. Positive comments are always welcome and appreciated though.

Okay, Stephen might get embarrassed about this, but I have to brag. There is a test that anyone going into the military has to take. It is used to rank your intelligence and make sure you are smart enough for the job you want. Stephen was ranked in the top 6% of the nation. His recruiters boss had challenged him by saying that if Stephen beat his score he would by him lunch. I guess recruits never beat his score. Well Stephen did beat his score. Okay, I'm done bragging about how smart my husband is.

Well, I think that is about it for now. Those are the major headlines from the Hanna Family Gazette. This is the editors copy, so the photography department will add photos once it hits their desk.

It Can't Be True, One Already!!

Mama and "baby"

The loot. Logan's Favorite toy the piano

Grandma and Grandpa enjoying the birthday boy.

Zack enjoying the party. Little monkey.

The set up. The allergin free cow cake.

Yea, yea, yea, I know I have been promising to post this for weeks. Life has kept me on my toes lately and I didn't get around to it until now. I am very sorry.

Logan's birthday was absolutely perfect!! He was a little angel. I was expecting him to turn into a monster and throw lots of fits, but he didn't. Logan got so many wonderful gifts. It was a perfect balance of toys, books and clothes. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day for him. Thank you to all who came, and I am sorry you missed it to all who did not.

After Logan's party we hung around at grandma and grandpa's house for a few hours. We then went to "Night Fall" which is a Halloween ghost town set up at the Old Tucson Movie Studio. It is awesome. Everyone was pretty tired though and we didn't stay very long. Zack was crabby and not wanted to cooperate so it didn't seem worth it.

Zack returned from Disney Land the day before Logan's birthday. He really had a good time. I am glad that he was able to have that 1:1 time with grandma and do some bonding. I think it was really good for him. He really hasn't gotten the opportunity to be close to his grandparents and I think that makes him sad sometimes.

It was really nice to have my mom here for a visit (even though I got her really sick). We were able to get out and see the area this visit. We had fun and really enjoyed ourselves. Having her here really made me miss home a lot.

I have started working for my in-laws at their business. My mother-in-law has done all of the office work for the business by herself for the last 23 years. The business has grown a lot in the last few years and they have been thinking about hiring some help. I happened to be wanting to get back to working away from my house again. They offered me a job and it works out great. It is the perfect opportunity of me because I am able to work the hours I need to be be able to keep Logan and Zack out of childcare. I hope it works out for my in-laws too. I think it is working out well so far. I think my mother -in-law is more comfortable teaching her work to someone she knows as opposed to someone she doesn't. That business is like her baby.

Stephen is about the same. He is still working on his pharmacy school applications. It doesn't sound like he is having a very good time with them.