Easter-Together

We went to the sunrise service at church and then took our friend Andrew Gordon to Cracker Barrel before he had to head down to San Antonio. It was a great week end and I thank the Lord that we got to spend the most important day of the year together!  The day JESUS rose AGAIN!

"Daddy, don't tickle me"

That bird house fell on her head.. and she didn't even cry...
(maybe being tough for Daddy)

Stetson, seperating his candy....

Building a sandbox......

shopping at Lowes, once again...

25.00 for a pick up load of sand from the concrete yard!

Sean just bought two 2X10 boards, cut one in half and screwed them together and screwed one sheet of plywood toot he bottom.. drilled a couple holes for the water to drain. Although I should probably cover it.

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.................