Christmas 2009

Was a wonderful Christmas for the King family. I had a hard time refraining from the thought that there is a possibility we wont be together next Christmas. But, I keep thanking my wonderful Jesus for ALL the time we have together. Each moment is so precious. As of tonight, I only have two more nights with Sean before Saturday morning when I drop him off. This will be our fourth goodbye since August 17th. Colton, Carley, and Stetson have enjoyed their time with Daddy very much!

Carley is constantly trying to keep everyone's eyes on herself; by either being darn cute or very mischievous! She is learning how to share and how to "be nice" to her little brother. The two things you don't want to mess with are Carley's blanky and "baba-sippy". She thinks she is a real big girl now that she can go potty by herself.. including pulling her own pants up and dumping her "potty" into the big potty chair. The only time she'll let me help her is when she is completely frustrated and unable to get her two legs out of one pant leg! Then, she'll happily let mom help! I'm still trying to figure this little stinker out! It's good she is about the cutest little thing I've ever seen! She is also learning that pony tails are cute and get her some attention. She will actually sit still long enough for me to fix her hair.. as of last week!

Colton is just adorable. I must brag just a little. Tonight he had to walk around the room and give every single person a gentle hug and say "I love you"... he couldn't forget one person! He helps me do everything from put away clothes and dishes, to entertaining Stetson with toys and giving him his pacifier. He is busy with his siblings, helping Mommy, and also likes to learn. He is learning his alphabet  and almost has it mastered! He's learning shapes, colors, and all that fun stuff. He enjoys being praised for doing well. A little of that goes a long way with him...but even if I forget...he continues to try his best. He still looks up to Daddy and thinks he hung the moon. He loves him and tells him constantly. He is already saying he wants to be a soldier too!

Stetson is 16 lbs, 1 oz already and 25 1/4 inches long. He is changing daily. He is starting to like to hold things in his hands and smiles so easily. He loves to watch his brother and sister play and loves to be kissed and loved on. Even though I've had three babies so close together... I feel like when he smiles at me.. it's the first time all over again. His dark hair is turning light. I still wonder if it'll go back to dark. I'm sort of hoping.. so that I can have a blonde boy and a dark boy- both with blue eyes.

Well, Sean was home and we enjoyed spending two whole weeks together as a family in our new apartment. It's been cold in Northern Minnesota. During the storm last week the weather was nice, but this week is below zero. Sean has been having fun snowmobiling with my uncle Bill. Colton keeps asking to go too.... he won't let dad forget how fun that was. I think he likes to go fast just like his daddy. I'm enjoying staying indoors where it is warm and cozy; although, I'm having to figure out better ways to lose weight. I've lost all my weight from Stetson, but if I could lose six more pounds I'd be back to where I was before Colton was born. Hopefully, I can continue to work out and eat good to accomplish my goal. I just don't have a treadmill and am NOT going to run outside... so we'll see what I come up with!

We still have not heard where we will be stationed. We should be finding out shortly! We can't wait to know! I'm continually learning to be patient. 2010 will continue to bring many changes to our family... I can't imagine. Sean and I are praying that we get to stay together for the adventure, but will take each phase one step at a time; even if that means fighting for our country!

Happy New Year to ALL!

Love the Kings~

Mom and Stetson Visting Daddy!

I'm up to twelve thousand miles in three months on my new mini-van. Stetson and I drove to Missouri to see Sean over Thanksgiving. The little guy did awesome in the car. We drove to my aunt Kim's house in Guthrie Center, Iowa the first day... it was a 10 hour drive and I only stopped four times to nurse Stetson. So, we made pretty good time. I got to Ft. Leonard Wood the next evening at 4:30 p.m. and checked into the hotel on post. I got to see Sean for a few minutes at the barracks, but he couldn't stay with me until Thanksgiving Day. I picked him up at 12:30 pm after he had his meal with the rest of the group on Thursday. We spent three full days together! It was really nice for Sean to have the time to bond with Stetson. Sean had pretty good luck getting him to smile and giggle! I had mixed feelings about leaving the other two home.. but, I'm really glad I did as Sean, Stets, and I had a very relaxing time. We rented movies, went out to dinner, had some long walks, and worked out at the gym. Needless to say, it went way too fast, but I'll be picking him up in Minneapolis on December 18th and he'll be here with my family and I until January 2nd. His graduation from AIT is on the 27th. Hopefully, this month we'll find out about his orders. I can't wait to actually KNOW where we will be living! I'm still learning to be patient..... never ending.

With talk of sending more soldiers to Afghanastan, I thought I would really start to stress but the Lord has given me complete peace in this situation. I know He will take care of us and has a perfect plan. I know life is never predictable, and I am willing to accept whatever the Lord has for us. I believe we are following His plan... in saying that, I also believe this was part of His plan long ago for our family. My love for Jesus and my love for my husband is only getting stronger. I know deep in my heart that I have married the man God intended for me! Each time I see him I am reminded how very wonderful he is, not just as my husband, but as the father of our children. It's amazing to me (coming from a large family) that Sean is so good even with the babies, since he didn't grow up taking care of them. I guess the Lord knew that we'd have lots of children... .. I thought we may be done, but when I have such content babies I know I can't possibly be done after just three. :-) God might have other plans!

Stetson weighed 16 pounds this week, he'll be 14 weeks old already on Tuesday! He is so calm and happy, as you can see. It's hard to remember the other two at this age, I just don't remember them smiling this much! He is just a pure joy to have around!