Our new Home!!!

I know a few of you are itching to see pictures.. so here are some updated pictures of the kids and our new house.. (just a rental) but we will be here for at least a year and a half probably longer!!!

I don't have much time to write.. but we are all doing good.  We were together for two weeks and then Sean had to go to the field for two weeks.  We arrived here on March 23rd but didn't get into our house until Easter.  Sean had a four day week end luckily, so we had time to move most of our stuff.  Mallori was with us until just a couple of days before we found this particular house. 

It looks like Sean will be getting a promotion very soon.. instead of Private he'll be Private First Class then he'll probably get another one right after he deploys so he'll then be a Specialist... for those of you who don't know.. that is only one step below Sergeant. 

update on kids tomorrow.... :)  But here's a few pics.. scroll down to see the house!

at the top of the stairs and around to the right are both kids rooms and a bathroom.. to the right of where I am standing is the master bedroom w/ big bathroom and walk in closet. This area at the top of the stairs will be a little Library/office hang out spot..   I'll have better pictures when I get curtains etc...   and more pics on the walls..all for now :)

made it to AZ....

We left Minnesota on March 11th... Thursday night and arrived on Saturday evening.  I picked up Sean late Monday night and stayed one night at the Sterling Hotel in Sacramento....   We had a fun visit with Sean's family and a few close friends.  We are so sorry that we missed seeing several people!!!  Hopefully we'll be able to make a visit again soon.  But who knows.   We left Modesto California yesterday morning and are spending the day in Surprise, AZ.  We will be in Texas by Tuesday night.  I need a new computer cord.. so when we get settled I'll be posting a whole bunch of pictures from our trip.  Mallori and I enjoyed a nice run this morning in the AZ sun... we just showered and are heading out to go shopping.. my kids need some shorts and sandals for this weather :)  

Stay tunned.. pictures coming... 

Joys of Motherhood

As I rock and sing to my littlest one I am just amazed beyond what words can describe.  Each child is made complete, perfect, beautiful and just the way HE planned.  Each one so uniqe and different!  I got to meet four new members of the Hewitt family today  even though they just came from another country (Haiti) and I didn't get to see them very long.  I felt as though they were always a part of the family.  They fit right in!  Each one so precious and lovable!  I'm a little sad at the the thought I wont get to see them much or bond with them in the next 6 months or a year!  But also happy that I got to meet them before I leave next week.  Was great to see my dad and sister Lacey too! 

I'll post pictures soon...

So, I finally moved out of my apartment!!!!!  whoooooo that was a task.  But hey, your probably thinking she better get used to that' right?  yeah, well.. I'm already learning to pack light and throw out what I don't need, or give it away!  I'v never been a horder... but still.. it's hard to pack light with three kids that's for sure!  

Here's the plan... I'm picking up my wonderful brother-in-law in Fargo, ND so he can help me drive back to Cali.. we are flying him here just for that very reason!  It'll be fun for him to see the kids and for us to catch up...   We'll meet Sean out there, visit all of our friend and family and load up a U-haul and head for Texas. I get to spend the rest of this week in a house that belongs to my friend Heather Hanson (Wilson).  They've been renting it out but also use it in the summer to stay at during their busy season at work.  Her parents are Greg and Sandy Wilson who just recently joined my sister in Haiti for a week to help out with the kids at Ruuska Village.   Anyway.. it's only a couple blocks from my Grandma Marlyc's house,so I get to visit with her a little more, which is very nice! She's been baking and cooking for us.... She makes the absolute best home made buns you've ever tasted.. but pretty much everything she makes is amazing!!!  Besides that she's a great woman of God and prays for everyone ALL the time! She had nine children and so is a great one to talk to when it comes to children!  Colton has really taken to her and calls her Grandma Great! 

Needles to say I've had a busy weeks... I feel like all I do is clean house and clean kids!  Weather it's washing faces, wiping noses or butts....  I'm alway wiping something!  I've been cleaning the apartment.. now cleaning the new house.. my hands are raw and dry.. lotion isn't really helping at this point.. I suppose if I wore gloves while using bleach water they wouldn't be quite so bad.  Right about the time I'm almost used to doing things myself I realize, ughh.. how nice it would be to have Sean here to help me.  I try so hard NOT to think of that.. cause I'm totally capable.  oh.. wait did I just say that... ok.. I can clean and take care of kids but the shopping I never do.. NOT capable..with kids.  Help/babysitter a must!  Not sure how I am going to fair once I'm gone from my family... but I KNOW  the Lord will send new friends into my life that will lend a hand when needed!    I'm actually considering that food service... is it Safe Way or Bel-Air where you can order your groceries and have them delivered!??? I need that......... maybe in Texas I'll be close enough to order grocieries.  Well,at least for the next six months I'll have Sean.  Yes, just the next six months.  If you haven't heard already he is going to Iraq in the fall.  I thought I would dread hearing that but I have to say... when he told me it was Iraq I had total PEACE only from the Lord.  I've know now for almost two weeks and I'v only shed tears of this twice, when I was feeling overwhelmed and when I got off the phone with him.  We know God will take care of him... we have so many friends praying for him, our family, his safety... heges of Angels around him.  I KNOW in my heart we'll get through this just fine.  We are trying really hard to focus on the positive... being able to be together for 6 months is a blessing.  I'm glad he didn't have to leave a month after like some of soldiers.  That would have been harder I believe.  He'll get to bond with Stetson up until he's a year old.  Thank God for technology and the ability to be able to see and hear each other while a half a world away!  Sean will get to come home for a visit about half way through I believe for about two weeks.  I'll be x-ing off the days I'm sure......

Carley is all of a sudden talking so much!!!!!!!  Colton is still my little helper and so proud of it too... I'm tempted at times to say "Colton, bring me the baby"!  But then I forget he'd probably drop him.... oops.. better wait until he's older than three to ask him to do that.   He can help me with so many other things though.. I forget he's still so young!  Carley likes to help too...and thinks she's much older than she is...I can't hardly help her do anything without getting told what to do.. or not to do!  Stetson... well... he's almost 6 months old next week.  He says "momma, momma"  not sure if he knows what he's saying or not!  But I like to think he does.. it's soo adorable!   He weighs 19 pounds, still wouldn't call him chubby.. but
 he's got hams and is just a big, tall boy! 

Moving to Texas!!

Sean just moved to Texas today.  He'll be looking for a house in the next ten days.  We really need prayer that he'll find a house in a good neighborhood.  The housing on base is completely full!  So, please pray that he can find a good deal in a nice area.  He has 10 days to do so....   the kids and I will be moving the end of this month.   I'm also praying that I get to be here for the birth of my second niece/nephew.  If I am still here.. I will get to experience attending another birth for the first time :-)  Also, I would just love to be here for my sister!  I am also missing Sean a TON.. I just can't hardly wait to see him and have our whole family back together again.

Carley turns two.........

I am honestly amazed how fast this little girl is growing up.  Born the day after my birthday two whole years ago as my 27th birthday present.. (BEST ONE YET)  She is just blossoming into such an independent, silly, crazy, happy go lucky... make everyone laugh~ little girl!  I love this age in sooo many ways, yet can't wait for her to grow up and be a lady!   She is talking better every day.. right now she says several sentences.. of course mommy is the only one that understand EVERYTHING... but most words are recognizable.  She is way too smart for her britches.  She has learned that saying "I have to go potty" and "cereal" will get her out of her crib!!!!!  Well.. didn't take mom long to realize most of the time, it was false and her little sneaky way to get my attention.   Needless to say, it doesn't work anymore :o)

She loves both her brothers...but also gets very jealous of them as well.  Being stuck in the middle has proven to be a little challenging for both her and mommy to say the least.  I'm trying to figure out how to give her enough good attention that wont make her a little "diva" but just enough as to not make her "needy" all the time. 

Hannah Housker, Carley's cousin

 (click pics to enlarge)

Click Here to see Carley's birth and baby pictures!!
http://growingkingfamily.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html

Stetson is 5 months old!

Our little Stetson is not so little anymore, he is 18 pounds at 5 months old TODAY! 

I took him to the doctor last week, he had a double ear infection, yep... back 
on anti-biotics! Poor little guy has had a rough couple of months!   Last time 
it was drugs for his bronchitis and ear infection... plus he was on a nebulizer for a whole week.

This is what I call a duck face Stetson made.. I thought it was really funny....

Colton- Before and After Hair cut

My little man.... is 3 1/2 years old this month. 

A day at the pool.........

 We went swimming at the AmericInn... what a fun way to get the kids out of the house

and do something physical!  They played for over four hours!!!!  They only charge 5.00 a person and it's for the whole day!  I'm definitely doing that again... it wore the kids out, they slept good the whole way home and even the next day Colton took a longer than normal nap.  

My friend Micah met me there with her two youngest kids.  Ava and Stetson are only 8 days apart.  Stets was born September 8th and Ava on the 16th.  They LOVED the water too!  We weren't sure if they would since it's cooler than bath water, but they enjoyed sitting on the steps and splashing.

Cousin Hannah and my younger siblings joined us as well!

 

My beloved........

Was wonderful to see my beloved again.  A month is just way too long! We had to cherish every moment

knowing it was going to go by fast.  It's amazing how every time I see him for the first time in weeks, it's like I'm seeing him for the first time in my life all over again!  And then to see him in his Class A uniform.... yikes!  I better stop...   

I have to say though how proud I am of him....  he not only has to be away from his family for weeks at a time! But he's been elected platoon guide at AIT (after being squad leader at BCT) which means hes had

to put up with a bunch of young bucks and their immaturity, keep them in line and out of trouble!  Since given the opportunity he actually found out that he makes a great leader.  He has proof of that since he was voted by his peers for the "Leadership Award".   He was also Honor GRAD for his Engineer Equipment Repairer class!!!!  GOOOO KING!

I think being a daddy will always be his favorite job!

This is outside the army lodging where we stayed, there was

beautiful fresh snow falling as I drove the last 30 minutes of my long

drive and onto post.  This was the next morning after the sun had melted away

most of the snow off the cars.

My beautiful son... almost 5 months old already!

So kissable.........

preparing for another road trip...........

Yep, it's that time again!  Time to pack my suitcase....   I wasn't looking forward to driving again.. but then I just have to think about my wonderful husband who soooo deserves me being at his AIT graduation!  He has worked soooo hard and is so ready to move on to the next step.  I wouldn't miss it for the world.  Praying hard that he receives an honor!  Which is very possible with his high test scores!   I would drive thousands of miles to be there!  I just wasn't sure financially it was wise.. but the Lord helped to make it work out!

Stetson is joining me on my journey to see his Daddy whom he's only seen three times.. this being the fourth time at four months old!  It's amazing how each time Stetson has been so mesmerized by his daddy's face and voice! 

Anyway.. once Sean does get his orders.. I will NOT be able to post them.  

Love you All and thanks for keeping in touch.  I apologize if I haven't been that great at calling.  Please remember that I think of everyone often and will write or call when I get a good quiet moment!

God Bless <><

Stetson Travis- birth to four month video

Dropping my Dad off at the Airport.........

We dropped my dad off at the airport in GF last week.  He was really excited to get to Haiti to see Lacey and help at Ruuska Village.   I haven't talked to him or Lacey yet.. but Mom says they're doing good. 

Stetson's first food.. didn't like it too much.. but I did get a smile out of him! Pretty easy to do

these days!

Carley got some new dolls for Christmas and a little stroller from Grandma Brandy. 

As you can see, she's lovin' it!

Stetson got a new bumbo seat from Great Aunt Jordan!  HE LOVES IT!  I can set him up

with us when we eat and he loves to be at the same level as us... he enjoys watching everyone now. 

Colton and Carley have been great at entertaining him!  He's also laughing a lot... it's so adorable. I'll have to post a video of it soon, now that I know how to do that!

I'm going to see Sean on Friday and watch him graduate!!!!!  I am sooo super excited to see him!

Stetson took a bottle today.. so hopefully that will help on our trip, I'm going to continue to pump and give him one or two every day... hopefully he'll learn to like it! 

Make sure you scroll to the bottom and check out my new video of our family!

My kids

Here are some pictures of the kids from this last week.

Stetson is 4 1/2 months old. Carley is 23 months and Colton is almost

3 1/2  months.

Grandpa Hewitt

Uncle Carson

Earthquake

Well, the troubles with me and my sick children last week are minute considering that so many people in Haiti are suffering at this very moment! I can not even fathom what my sister and the people of Haiti are going through. It's got to feel like the end of the world to see and witness so much chaos! They are doing all they can to help anyone in need. Every life saved and every life helped is important! If I didn't have three children of my own, I'd be there in a heart beat! Please, anyone thinking of actually going there, I encourage you to step out in faith, do whatever you can. If you don't have a passport... get ONE! If you doubt what the Lord is doing, think about all the missionaries there whose homes are miraculously still standing!!!!! How else does that happen? Do you think that is a coincidence? I don't know the Lord's plan or why this happened. But, I do know that good can come out of anything. Let's pray and believe that this is going to be a new beginning for this small country! That the lives that were spared will go on to make amazing differences in this world. The Lord has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us!

Please consider donating as much as you can to help the people and children of Ruuska Village. I posted a link on the side of my blog where you can send money through paypal which will directly go to the mission. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!!

God Bless you all <><

It's a new and exciting year!!!!!

(click pictures to enlarge)

on Uncle Bill's snowmobile

Stetson - 4 months old

Relaxing with Daddy


Sibling happy times.

Sleeping in my seat!

At the hotel near Minneapolis.

Enjoying every last moment!

Just wanted his picture taken :)

Bath time all at once now.. (sometimes)

Our family was together for 14 days! I can't believe Christmas came and went so fast! I can hardly believe it's 2010 already; so much has happened the last 10 years of my life! It was just 10 years ago that I moved to Colorado to pursue my dream of being a professional horse trainer. I've had the opportunity to work with many wonderful people;: new friends and old! For those of you who don't know- I spent the last five years in California, where I trained horses, worked for an Equine Veterinarian and most importantly- met my husband at Green Valley Community Church. After we got married we made several long trips around the states delivering horses together, started having babies of course, and now find ourselves in the beginning of our next phase in life as an Army family!

Two weeks from now we should be finding out Sean's orders!!!!!!WHOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOO Did I say that? TWO WEEKS! The suspense is killing me!!!!!!!! Do I want to know if he's leaving for 15 months?  .. not really! But I'd love to know if we are going to be stationed somewhere together! At least I could prepare myself for what's to come, or again? do I want to know? I am kind of getting use to the whole NOT knowing anything... being patient and just going with the flow. I guess I better if I'm in this for the long haul. So back to the last 10 years! I just wonder what the next 10 years will bring. Wow.. 2020... YIKES! I'll be almost 40 instead of almost 30! I will have been married 15 years! My oldest child will be 13 going on 14...I'll have a teenager in the house~! Who knows where we will be... Hawaii, Alaska, Germany???? Time will tell....

Here are some cute pics of the kids I took the last two weeks. They are growing fast right before my eyes! Stetson will be four months old on the 8th! I'm enjoying every moment.. ok maybe not every.. but most moments! They are all sick right now.. so it's been a long day!

I started making time for "ME" every day! Doing post-natal work-outs while the kids are napping... I've lost 3 1/2 pounds in the last two months. I've pretty much lost all my baby weight from Stetson.. but my goal is to be what I was at our wedding and to be toned! Although, that can be challenging when it's cold outside and I can not run! So, I guess I'll stick to my work-out and eating healthy!

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~