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!

The best husband!

And did I mention daddy? Ok maybe not the very best of either, but pretty dang close. Jake has been so crazy busy lately and we don't get to talk much. And soon with everything going on over there, we'll probably talking a little less too. He says its actually probably perfect timing for me to be going home for a little while because it will keep me and the kids busy since we won't get to talk as much. But more importantly, just when I need to hear something sweet from him, he totally suprises me! I won't say what, but it was perfect. Something wonderful for me and the kids to read and simply sigh. What a wonderful man! I just love him dearly and can't wait to see him again. And I just had to share that thought. Have a great day everyone and please go give your wonderful spouse a huge hug just because you can!

Edelweiss

Whew! We are wiped out! The kids and I went on a "deployed spouse retreat" this weekend to The Edelweiss hotel in Garmish. Its something they do from time to time for military families. Its kind of a little military resort hotel place. Its really nice. Anyway, it was free and what they do is have a couple of short classes for you to go to and then the rest of the time is yours to do what you want. You can drive yourself or ride the bus. Just before Jake deployed we went on the marriage retreat and drove ourselves but with him gone, and gas prices, we decided to ride the bus. It was pretty comfortable and Kenlee slept almost the entire way (3 1/2 hours). The classes were good. One on PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) and the other about personality differnces and about parenting.
Since we've been to Garmish before, we really didn't go out into the town but mainly hung out in the hotel and swam and just enjoyed ourselves. Not exactly a "retreat" when its you and 3 kids, but did I mention it was free? so you can't complain. Kenlee got to swim for the first time. My camera recently broke but my friend got some cute photos of her in her swim suit and they are cute! I'll post them when I get a chance. She LOVED the water! I'm glad its getting closer to summer so I can keep up the swimming and let her be a little fish! And when the only thing to really do at 8pm at night there is swim, that pool was packed and kids were splashing everywhere and she didn't mind in the least. What a good sport! And of course Rylee and Keegan had a blast! Keegan learned all kinds of new tricks and Rylee had a lot of fun playing with other friends in the pool! We also enjoyed sitting in the outdoor hottub for a litte while when Kenlee was asleep in the stroller. And not having to make dinner for a few days was fun too. So it was a good trip aside from the inevitable unpacking and laundry that always follows a getaway.
Now that its out of the way, time to run around like a crazy person trying to get everything ready for us to leave for the states by the end of the month. Yeah!! I really am looking forward to leaving and even the getting ready part. It keeps me busy and makes the time go faster. Just anyone reading this, please pray that our military flight stuff goes smoothly. That is my biggest stressor. Oh well, guess we'll just have to wait and see!