Happy Birthday Kenlee!

Hard to believe my baby is already one! Kenlee is such a joy to our family. She looks like her brother, is sweet like her sister, but is silly all on her own. She gets giggly and excited and likes to bounce up and down. We have enjoyed every second of watching her grow this past year. Unfortunately her dad missed this precious time, but they will get to do a lot of making up for it when he comes home this month. Kenlee is a lucky girl to have a brother and sister that love her to pieces and will do just about anything for her. Rylee is a huge help to me, a little mother. And Keegan loves to make her laugh. He's a great entertainer. And then Lucy our dog is just sweet for letting Kenlee love on her with her fur in Kenlee's grip (I know poor Lucy).

We had a small party with friends and their kids for her birthday. Kenlee got some fun presents but I think her boquet of balloons was her favorite (go figure). On her actual birthday, Grandma Rita was able to watch Kenlee open her presents and eat her strawberry shortcake through webcam courtesy of Skype. Isn't technology amazing?? Kenlee loves....

laying on her dog Lucy

her binkie

taking baths

mandarin oranges

her dolly

playing with the water cooler knobs

exploring

Back to Work??

So last monday I started working again just part time though. Let me back up a bit....since Jake joined the Army I have been staying home with the kids. I don't like the idea of paying someone else to raise my kids. Thats why I originally went into real estate. I thought oh ya I can work from home, make my own hours, blah blah. Well to be successful, you have to accomodate everyone else's schedules. Also I worked in new construction which means working out of a model home. Not bad if your kids are older but sending Keegan to a babysitter after he was only 6 wks old was heartbreaking. Ok fast forward....so it must've been the long deployment getting to me but when I was at the PX recently, I saw a friend of mine putting out lotions and perfume, etc. I asked her how she got the job doing that because she doesn't actually work for the px. So she told me about how she works part time and makes her own schedule, yadda yadda. So I said, "ok are they ever hiring? That sounds nice." So a few weeks later I run into her and she tells me that she mentioned me to the lady that hires for Yankee candles and I would be getting a phone call for an interview. I was all excited thinking a little extra money for the holidays, time away, etc. Then I go to the interview and was later called and offered the job. Thats when the guilt and doubt set in. For starters I had the hardest time finding child care. A new brigade of about 3000 families moved in over the summer and all the childcare spaces are full. Kenlee loves going to the daycare center. She has gone there a couple times in the past couple months when I've had appointments, things like that. So she loves the kids and I have friends who work there so I know she's in good hands. Of course that place is full now. Home providers were full. Was this a sign?? Then one day I'm sitting at home playing with Kenlee and folding laundry and thinking to myself, "what was I thinking wanting to go back to work"? I realized just how much I love being at home. This may sound so corny and lame, well too bad....
I love taking care of my home. Spending the day with my child, cleaning my house (not the acutal cleaning part I mean I'm not crazy, just the satisfaction afterward). I love that contribution I make for my family. No I'm not out curing cancer, but my family thinks its pretty important. Well I talked to Jake about the job on the phone and he said he also likes me being home but that it was my decision. He's so great. Oh I forgot to mention, I had already accepted the job before realizing all this so I already felt an obligation. Especially since the lady had already told the other person she interviewed, too bad.
So starting last week I confirmed, ya this is not really worth being away from Kenlee. I had to send her to different friends to be watched. Well then I got some info that a lady that is certified in home care will be available to start watching her next wednesday. So I guess I will be sticking with this atleast through the holidays. Besides, my original thinking was that when Jake takes his block leave, (Thanksgiving through New Years off) he will be able to stay home with her and they can have some special time together. I am only working like 4 hours a day anyway. So I'm overstressing all this right? Its ok....only part time. Really truely (ya keep telling myself that). But back to me thinking about my wonderful life....can I just end by saying I was able to truely count my blessings that day. Not just think about it in hindsight like usual (yes I know I'm lucky, I have a healthy family, a home, freedom, etc) but I was REALLY able to say "dang, I really am lucky. Yes my husband is away from me and its harder than I can ever describe, but I know how much he loves me. He is truely my best friend. And I AM so very blessed to have 3 beautiful, healthy children who are only young for so long. They bring me such joy, such stress and I wouldn't have it any other way. And I do love being the one who is there when they come home from school. Making them dinner, volunteering in their classrooms, suprising them when I come to have lunch with them at school, reading at night, taking them to karate, cheerleading, dance, girl scouts, etc etc. (ok I lied, that gets so old, I cannot wait for my husband to be here so he can do some of that for a change...but I do like watching them, its just the shuttling around part) So i guess lesson learned A. be careful what you wish for B. if it aint broke, don't fix it and C. Always count your blessings. We'll see how it all goes......

Its hard to believe..

Its almost time for Jake to be home. A few more weeks! (give or take since we don't know exact dates yet) Well its starting to finally sink in that we really don't have all this time left to do this or get to that. So last night I realized I hadn't even ordered his welcome home banner yet. Last deployment the kids and I enjoyed making a homemade banner complete with handprints in paint. It turned out very cute but the first time it rained (Washington state) it was a mess, so this time I decided to order a nice sign from a website. I feel bad that the sign company gets to do all the creativity part but we'll make up for it in a few weeks when we make a few smaller signs to hang inside the house.
I can't wait to see that stinker. To wake up to him in the mornings, have dinner as a family again, you know, all the stuff you don't always appreciate until you don't have it. So we're officially counting down and I expect the next few weeks to feel like years.

100 Days Til Christmas!

Years ago at an enrichment night, we were all talking about different Christmas traditions. What our families do or have done over the years. One lady had mentioned that her family every year has a 100 days til christmas party. They turn on their fireplace, play some Christmas music and talk about the upcoming holiday. I always liked this tradition and since I LOVE the whole season from fall through New Years, I thought this sounded like a fun way to start the season.
Finally this year I actually remembered the date of when we would reach the 100 day mark. So this year we were able to have our little mini celebration. We each put on our Christmas shirts (except Kenlee, she doesn't have one yet), we made hot chocolate, put on Christmas music, and watched The Polar Express while we drank. Kenlee LOVED the part of the movie where they sang the Hot Chocolate song. She kicked her legs and waved her arms all around while it was on. The kids got into the evening as well. They even brought down their mini christmas trees to add to the festivity. The kids also got started on their lists of what they would like for Christmas (I know, already?). It will be nice to carry this tradition next year with Jake here.

FOR OUR SOLDIERS!!

I just needed to write a little somethin down today. This is mostly for any soldiers including mine that are deployed right now. For our regiment, we've hit our 12 month of deployment and now we're 12 months and counting. I think we're all reaching our breaking points. Our patience is really being tested. Our families are going through more than I can even describe and anyone reading this thats in this boat or has been before, knows exactly what I'm talking about.This is not meant to have any political opinion so please don't take it that way. Whether you are for or against this war, the fact is, our soldiers are there. With the difficult times I'm really starting to have, I can only imagine how it is for my soldier. For your soldier, for THE soldiers!! So I just wanted to say that now is the time they need our support more than ever! Its times like this when I'm thinking, just come home already, just get the heck out of that place, I have to remember why my husband is there. I have to remember that horrible day that happened almost 7 years ago. Maybe we did or didn't go in there for the "right reasons", but I truely believe in the depth of my heart that if we hadn't, that would not have been the last attack. Tonight my children and I will sleep safely because the soldiers here are protecting us. They protect us while my soldier protects the world! My family so far away goes to their jobs, schools, church, etc without the fear that the second they step foot there, they will be blown up. They know they are able to speak the way they want, worship the way they want, work where they want, and hold their heads up high when they walk out the door. The children of my friends, aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers and sisters can play outside without worrying that their child will pick up what they think is a soda can and instead its an explosive device. Or that they will be given a "toy gun" and be told to aim it at the soldier over there protecting the children and pull the trigger. There is evil over there and it won't stay on its own continent. Its because of our soldiers that are there educating, protecting and giving some hope to people who have never known the meaning of that word. That hope given to them is what is fighting this evil. Its what is keeping it from attacking us in our homes. And incase anyone is starting to question why they are there, to question what the point of all this is, I just want to say....regardless of reasons, WE SUPPORT YOU!! We miss you, we love you, and most importantly, WE APPRECIATE YOU! And until we see you again, STAY SAFE!!!http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=OzX-09P3UEY

Catching Up.....

I think this is more for my benefit than anyone elses....The few people that actually read my blogs, already know whats been going on, but to summzrize anyway....
We made it back to Germany after an awesome and well needed summer in Utah! We were able to hang out with family, shop, attend endless numbers of parades and fireworks, have birthdays, shop, have lunch dates with Grandma and Mindy, shop, get to know my grandparents even more, shop, go to lagoon, shop, have Rylee's baptism and did I mention, shop?
We really enjoyed our time. It was so nice letting the kids play with their cousins that they love so much. How fun to have kids so close in age. Whether it was arts in the park, feeding the ducks, a trip to Lagoon, running through sprinklers, or just playing on the swings in Grandma/pa's back yard, they definately made up for lost time.
A special time for our family was being there on Rylee's baptism day. What a blessing! She was able to have her uncle Chet baptize her and had many friends and family there for her special day. I can't believe my baby girl is old enough to have made the decision to become a member of the Church and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. I look at that little girl with absolute amazement. She is truely a blessing to have in our family. She's an example to others and even helps keep our family in the right direction. We love her so much!
On another note, the trip coming back was "interesting". Not many bumps along the way in flights but we definately had some car troubles coming back home. Actually we barely made it in the driveway. But we're here, we're settled in (obviously, its been a month) and we are ready to start school and have summer over with!
Bring on the colder weather, the leaves changing, and Jake coming home!!!! We are getting tentative dates of mid-October. Yeah, maybe in time for Halloween! As for now we are waiting as patiently as possible (ya thats not always very patient). In my opinion, no family should ever have to endure more than a 12 month deployment. I just don't know that the brain or the heart are capable. Then suddenly you're standing there with your welcome home signs, waving to your loved one and wondering how the impossible has been possible. Again, I wait for that day! In the meantime, we're all doing things to get ready. Jake is preparing to move out of his 2 man room and into a 20 man room tent! They are preparing all the humvee's and other vehicles for the trip home and we are starting to receive boxes from Jake with all his stuff that he doesn't want to have to pack up later. Its fun opening up and seeing all the sand covered stuff. Cards, movies, video games, etc. Speaking of....looks like Jake just signed in on yahoo so I'd say this ends this blog....

Its been a while...

WOW, I haven't posted anything since I've been in Utah. I've had the time, I mean we stay busy, but not so busy that I can't jot a few lines down here and there. I just didn't make it a priority. Well I guess I have some catching up to do.
We've been having a great time being "back home". Actually I don't look forward to going back to Germany. But the positive will be getting ready for the new school year (by the time I go back), getting back to our life, decorating my house with all the cute things I've picked up over here (oh how will I ever get it all back??) and most importantly, waiting ever so patiently for those last few months to get through until Jake if FINALLY home!
So in the meantime we're making the most of our time here. Visiting with friends and family, taking the kids to movies, museums, endless shopping trips, Lagoon, and even some arts and craft classes they will be starting next week. It wouldn't be possible without the gracious donation of a vehicle from my sister in law. Its not glamorous, but it has a/c and gets us where we need to go. Well, I will try to get back in gear and have more regular posts, and now that I have a camera again, I will be loading some pictures soon!