Sean's Visit Home

It's a rainy day in central Texas today. Maybe a good day to try and sit down and write a blog post.

Well.. for those who want the whole story... R&R with Sean King was utterly amazing! I couldn't have imagined it any better. I truly feel like the most blessed woman in the whole world. He was suppose to come in late that night but he called me from Atlanta and basically said he'd be here in three hours,  he happened to be the first guy off the plan and found one last seat on an earlier flight. Another soldier also just happened to let him use his phone to call and make sure his family knew when he'd be arriving :)  I had to call my friends and kick everything into high gear.  Michelle had planned on babysitting for the night but now I had to find someone to watch them until she could be here.  My friend Tiffany was able to watch them while Ladoshie went with me to the airport (to snap a few pics and video).  I think right after that last phone call was the minute my heart actually started pounding. After picking up the house and getting ready to go I got in the car to go pick up the man I've missed so much. Fortunately  I only had to drive 5 minutes to the airport.  I don't think I stood there for more than 2 minutes when I saw him walking toward me.  The smile on his face was priceless.. ... I had kind of imagined running and jumping in his arms.. but obviously that wasn't going to happen with my dress and high heels, so I made him come to me! :)  It felt like a dream to be in each others arms again.

 With the help of my friends Michelle and Ladoshie, Sean and I were able to get away the very first night to a local hotel. I was able to book a suite right after his call from Atlanta.  It was really nice to have that alone time with out the kids. I knew if we went straight home we wouldn't want to leave the kids on another day or week end. Once they saw Daddy, I wanted them to be able to spend as much time together as possible during the two weeks.  It worked out really well.. I called Ladoshie when we were on our way so she was able to be ready with the camera when we walked in.  After breakfast we had to run back to the airport to pick up one of Sean's bags but we got to the house at about 10 am.  I think I was too excited to cry when I first saw Sean...  but when we walked through the door and Colton jumped in his arms and held on tight saying "DADDY"..... I pretty much lost it!  Soon after Sean walked to the couch and that's where Carley and Stetson both followed suit.   It was amazing to see all of them so happy.  Even little Stetson who was only 12 months old when Daddy left. If it wasn't for SKYPE I don't think he would have been so comfortable.  He KNOWS his daddy's voice and what he looks like.  Also, to see his older siblings get so excited I think it's just kind of contagious. The only time he wouldn't go to Sean during the two weeks was when he was super tired and just wanted me to put him to sleep.  They played and laughed and loved on each other just as much as the other two.

We tried to stay home a lot and spend time together just hanging out.. but we did have several things to get done in a short period of time.  So, we did stay pretty busy.  We went for a walk the first night... of course the kids had to show Dddy their new house and bedroom first.   

Sean spentas much time as he could teaching the kids and spending time with them.  He took turns taking them out on some errands. While Carley was in the back seat of the pick up truck and they were driving... she randomly told Daddy.. "I'm having so much fun"....    :)  I don't think there was a time while Daddy was here that she wasn't smiling!  Ok maybe not quite true.. I think she got in trouble a few times.. BUT most of the time.. she was in complete bliss! I can't say enough how great it was to ALL be together.  I defnintely felt like our family was whole again. Which makes sence, since I feel like half of me is missing when he's gone :p

one of our first kisses....  

More posts coming of Easter and our trip to the River Walk in San Antonio.  I'll also be posting some video soon!

Boys New Room

We've been having an amazing time with Sean while he's on leave. I have so much to say and write about but for now I'm just going to post about the one project he got done while he was here.

I still have a few things to do to the room but this is what the new bed looks like.  Sean did an amazing job... they might look simple but they are super duper heavy duty and will last a lifetime!  We just used regular ol' 2x6's and a couple 2x4's from Lowes. It comes apart in four pieces.. each end.. and each mattress frame aside from the 2x6 rails on the top bunk.. they are bolted on as well.    We got an electric sander and went over the whole thing.. stained it with "New Cedar" colored deck stain from Lowes and sealed it with a glossy Polyurethane.   Total cost about 275.00 (not including mattresses and comforters)  I got those online from some place in Texas.  It's the "Real Tree" Camo.   going to put up their names and stencil some leaves on the walls.. maybe add some wild life..bear, deer, moose etc.. I made the curtain from one of the bed skirts that we didn't use from the bed set. Ordered from Camo Trading at

http://www.camotrading.com/camobedding.html?utm_source=Eway&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=CamoBedding

(click to enlarge image)

Daddy's little Helpers!!!

Tomorrows project... build a sand box!! :)

Here are some new pics of the leaves I added for a final touch.....

Carley's room!

our little princess was so excited about painting her room PINK I didn't even try to discourage it.  I liked the purple and green in the last house. But this turned out pretty cute too. I just have to put her name up above the bed.

just a cute picture of our girl ready for church on Sunday

a new home...

I was waiting until I was completely moved to write this post.  I think up until this point I've been holding it all inside. It's been two weeks today that the kids and I have been in our new home.  I drove over to our old home today to put the garbage out one last time.. only someone had already done it.  I'm assuming since there was a "For Lease" sign in the yard that the rental agency did it for me.  I also stopped to  check the mail one last time. I looked over my shoulder and glanced back at what used to be our "home" and a tear ran down my cheek as I realized all the memories I was leaving behind. It's been one year since we moved to Ft. Hood/Killen, TX.    Coming here was the beginning of a new chapter in our life.   I thought I was used to change by now. .. but it's hard to reminisce and not get choked up.  I try to remember that it's not the house you live in but the family inside that makes it a "home".  Ever since Sean has been overseas I feel as though a piece of our family is missing.  Yes, we get to talk on skype and I'm so truely blessed that we've been able to talk almost every single day!  I like to think that I'm strong... and again, I know the Lord has given me strength, but there is nothing easy about being an Army Wife. I'm not sure one ever get's use to change. As hard as the Army life can be... I'm beginning to see why some families stay in it.  There is a sense of pride... as corrupt as our country is... with ALL my heart, I have to say, I am PROUD of our country and all the Men and Woman who are fighting for it.  I don't think I ever truly understood how much the families sacrificed until we became one of those families.   I feel like it's petty to even be sad about leaving a house that wasn't even ours. It's just a house.  Here's a few things though that cross my mind :)

This was our first "house" together. This is where Colton learned to ride his bike before he turned 4.   Stetson turned 1 and Colton turned 4 here. Carley 3 and I turned 30.   This was the first place we lived with Daddy after he become a United States Soldier. This was the last place Sean and I slept in the same room. This was where Stetson learned to crawl, walk and talk. Also, where we got our first family dog.  Every one of us grew in some way.

I know even though we only spent 4 months together in the last 12... that Sean and I are more in Love today than the day he left. We look forward to spending this Easter together in our new "home" :)   I also like to think that with all the amazing memories we have... the best are yet to come. We look forward to what the next year has to bring and are excited about the money we'll now be saving living on the Army Post. 

moved from top to bottom off to on post

Our princess turns 3......

Her birthday was actually February 10th but with the kids being sick I put it off until today.She wasn't feeling well but still seemed to have fun with her friends and opening her gifts.  I can't hardly believe she was born three years ago!  I remember her birth and how much joy filled my soul. One look at her face, I knew she was a girl.  I don't think I even checked... my midwife had to remind me to make sure! :)  Not a day goes by that she doesn't make fun and/or interesting :)  She's definitely going to be a Daddy's girl.  She constantly talks about him and even said "I love you Daddy" in her sleep!  


Here's my attempt at a horsey cake.....she loved it :)

 did not plan to dress them all in stripes... she loves her brothers... even though they annoy her most of the time...

 not feeling so well...................  

 Colton's friends Matthew and Gabe....

 waving to someone..... not sure who....

 Carley's friend Danika................. 

 haha.. bad picture of me.... ...... 

 me and my friend Ladoshie Holman.......  

 so glad I had a host...... I could not have done the party without her... especially since I had Stetson on my hip half the time :p

 finally a smile........................................

 Stetson and his friend Jay............. they had soooo much fun chasing each other around.  They are only one month apart in age!

 first Barbie is Sleeping Beauty.................

Chuck E.

I finally took the kids to one of their all time favorite places.. and actually I don't mind it at all when it's not too busy!  They have fun and I can relax.  I caught a few cut pictures.  We only stayed for about an hour and 20 minutes because Colton had AWANAS right afterwords. 

This was our first trip to Chuck E. Cheese without Daddy!

I only caught one picture of Colton as he kept running of to find his favorite games!

3 and 30!

As of February 9th I've entered a new era .... the 30's!   I feel as though I've made it to the next level of maturity! It's definitely an age I never though I'd reach!  It just seemed like everyone else that was 30 was so mature! I still feel so young... but I guess I do have three kids! Wow. Amazing. I'm finally here!

Our beautiful and darling Carley just turned 3 on February 10th. I am so blessed to have her in my life.
She's finally at the age where she's having little conversations with her dolls (especially her Jesse doll from Toy Story, thank you Dages family) and she loves to have her hair fixed and be pretty!  When she was between 1 and 2 I couldn't tell if she was going to be a girly girl.. or a tom boy. She can definitely have fun with the boys... but prefers to be pretty and play with girly things! :o)She loves to help clean, put away dishes and help cook.  Her new thing is also fixing Mommy's hair!   We are planning a day out to go shopping and maybe catch a movie together one day this week!

Daddy picked out these adorable pink and white Cowgirl boots. 

We will still be having a party next Satuerday, due to Stetson having swine flu we had to delay.


Colton had to be in every picture too :o) CUTENESS!

But at this point Carley was trying to push him out and smile at the same time... guess they thought it was funny. ......

Showing off her new boots.....

Finally ALL THREE..........           Colton (4) Carley (3) Stetson (17 mo.)

 our snow day in Texas.....

 

why DID you join the Army? My thoughts on deployment, army life and love!

 Our last goodbye.......

We are four months in, with four months left until R & R, and then four months left after that!   I miss him more than you can imagine.

I have to say, when I married my husband five years ago, I thought we would be together always. We didn't think any two people could be more in love than we were.  We spent every waking moment together.  If you lived near us at the time, you would have witnessed that. If Sean was in the woods cutting fire wood, I was with him- if he was building a fence or clearing property, I was there with him! When I was nine months pregnant, I was in the back of the truck helping him throw logs, just so we could talk (or not talk). We enjoyed being in each other’s presence, no matter what the circumstance.  Sean got a job working on bridges for about six months before we joined the Army.   I would take both kids with me to San Francisco to stay in some raunchy hotel.. just so we could be there when he got off work each night. There were weeks that I didn't go; however, and we hated it.   I never imagined we would be apart for this long, and especially, this far apart. Some may ask, “Why on earth did they decide to join the army with two children and one on the way, knowing that our country was at war and most soldiers have gone or will go to Iraq?”  Well, we ask ourselves the same question at times, but the second that thought creeps into my mind… I'm reminded.  We had been praying about where our life was heading and what the Lord wanted us to do. We knew that He had a bigger plan and that we needed to make a change. Yes, most would think we didn't have the best of living arrangements, but we can both truly say we were happy and loving life and wouldn't change the past.  We lived on a homestead and ran our home off a generator…. (another story).  We believe though our experiences and after much prayer, the Lord gave Sean wisdom in this decision.  My heart followed in agreement because it was His Will. We were able to sell everything we owned, including our horses, our home, horse trailer, vehicle, and everything we didn't need, just in the nick of time.  Our double wide home was trucking down the road three days before Sean left for basic training.  Well, here I am in Texas at an army base-  the girl who once thought men in war movies were crazy for leaving their women, is now in the middle of the biggest state in the U.S. while her husband fights the war in Iraq for our freedom.  He is half a world away and I am 1800 miles from family. I can tell you this... that my husband misses and wishes he could be with his family as much as anyone.  He did one of the most amazing and selfless things a man can do... he trusted God and put HIM first.. he didn't do this to be macho.. or because he wanted to go fight and shoot guns ... he simply followed God's plan to provide for his family and serve his country at the same time, and he's also trusted God to take care of his wife and children.   I already know that God is using him in more ways than we even know right now.  He's never been one that liked to be in rough crowds... around profanity, etc. He never drank, never smoked, never cursed..he is a living testimony and example of Christ's love. No, he's not perfect...none of us are.... but I will say he loves Jesus and loves his family more than anything!  And do you know that of all the people we talk to in the military they say "the army WILL change him" ? (hmm... they must not know Sean) and to this day.. he still does none of the above! He is the same today as he was 18 months ago. You may be thinking, “Oh just wait... he still has eight months left”.  But the same God that got him where he is, will get him home.   I still love and miss my husband as much today as I did the day he left.  I never doubt why God has our family in this situation.  Each passing day, the Lord  continues to grow our love for each other and for Him.  I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  He's given me an unexplainable amount of peace! I used to hate being home alone... and now being alone doesn't bother me at all.  I know who protects us.. I know who loves us.. I know that with God all things are possible and that with His help, I can handle anything that comes my way and so can Sean! We still don't know all the reasons why, but so far I've met some amazing Army wives in Texas and around the world. I've learned something from each one of them.  You've been an amazing support system, and I thank Jesus for all of you! I hope and pray that I can pass that on as well!  We have found a loving church, we're enjoying the Texas sun, and my children are growing and learning about Jesus every day!  Thank you Jesus for my amazing life and my amazing husband, I have far more than I deserve!

I ended up bragging about my husband just a tad... but I got to say I'm a PROUD ARMY WIFE!
I miss you Honey, I love you more than you know, and I long for the day you come back into my arms. You are my best friend, my hero, and my true love! :)

 Luke 9
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.