Home Sweet Home

As much fun as I always have visiting family I must say it's finally nice to be home with my own family. I spent 6 weeks in Minnesota (sill need to blog about that trip) before Sean returned and came back to Texas for one month before he got here.  He got home September 6 and we left for another vacation just a couple weeks later.  Our trip to California included stops in Arizona and southern California before we made it to Placerville and Camino. 

We didn't have good luck hunting at all but I must say we had an incredible time :)

This is only SOME of the pictures from the trip! Way to many to blog!

Arizona

Swimming at Pano's and Denise's house (in September)

Our favorite place to shop CABELAS :)

Stuffed African Mammals

Newport Beach on a rainy day

Watching the Pelicans

Our hotel across from the Ocean!

Stopped to see his Dad on the way up the hill... he hadn't seen his mom or dad in over a year

Reading with Grandpa

Great Grandma Doris took us to Apple Hill

The kids had a blast in the hay bale maze and pumpkin patch

Planned to go on a run.. but I don't think it happened that day :p

When we were hunting we drove an area that was being logged.

 The piles were HUGE!

 Camo Buddies :)

 Spending an hour at the river was by far the most fun we 

had with "just us" we feel at home in the forest!

We celebrated Sean's 30th Birthday and his dad's birthday at Cattlemans with his parents, grandma

and grandpa, brother, and aunt Lisa and Uncle Chris and cousin Gavin.

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Colton and Sean's cousin Gavin (colton's 2nd cousin)

 Sean's favorite riding horse... He spend over an hour in the pasture

working with her and getting her to come to him. She was shown and broke to 

death.. but pins her ears when you catch her. She is coming along but still 

doesn't trust us enough.

Stetson had a blast running around on the farm.

We met up with our great friend Kim Herren Near L.A.

our cheapest but nicest hotel room that didn't even charge for the dog :)

 

 

 

 

 

 He gashed his eye and then I think he took this picture himself :p

Next is just random pictures from the World Zoo in Surprise Arizona where

we also had a blast!

My Man is HOME!

He's been home a week already and I finally got a video together today!  Check it out.. it's on the bottom of the page! Just turn off my other music that is playing first!

This day was long awaited and we couldn't be happier!


Welcome home to all the soldiers and Thank you so much for your service and sacrifice! God Bless you All!

Stetson Turns 2

We actually just celebrated both Colton and Stetson's birthdays. Colton's was last month but since Daddy wasn't home we waited to make the cake and celebrate both at one time. We didn't have a big party or invite any friends, since Daddy had only been home a few days and was still recovering from  really nasty cold/fever.  

I had taken Colton shopping last month.  So, we took all the kids out and got all of Stetson's toys and then Daddy picked up a hunting game for Colton that he had been wanting for quite awhile.  Needless to say, he's been sharpening up his shooting skills every since.  

I just keep looking over old pictures and reminiscing about all the memories. I just can't quite get over how fast they grow up. I love them ALL so dearly and then I wonder how much more does Jesus love them than I do??  And how on earth could anyone love them more than me??  I know as a mom we all get tired, irritated and cranky at time.  But I think about how sometimes God may be disappointed in us and how He still loves us. No matter what my kids do to drive me crazy... I still love them.  I try and trust Him, that know matter how many mistakes I make as a parent. They will still grow up and love Jesus. To me that is the most important thing a parent could ever teach their children. Love God and Love others!  IF I can do that.. I will feel as though I've done my duty as a parent.

Anyway.. I put together a short video of some pictures and videos of (click here) Stetson and turn off music at bottom of page!  I'm going to try to do one for each kid soon. But here is my baby... growing up way too fast~ 

Time is drawing near..........

Well, I still can't say when he's going to be home.  But I can tell you this... the time is drawing near!  And I am driving myself crazy trying to stay busy.  But then when I'm too busy I can't keep up with the house. So this viscous cycle starts 'cause when things get out of control in my home.. I go crazy!  SO.. my plan for the next several days is to stay close to home and get caught up.  I want to have the house in perfect order.. not because I need to impress my husband or anyone else.  BUT so that when Sean gets here... "I" can relax and spend quality time with Sean and not have anything to worry about. I know the kids will mess it up anyway.. but if the deep cleaning is done then the surface stuff wont take long to pick up. Sean keeps telling me "honey, I am not going to be looking at the house, I'm going to be looking at you".................ahhh he says the cutest things sometimes!  And it truly does help me to relax and remember what's important. Thank you Babe!

 So, I'm trying to decide if I should start freezing some meals and what foods is he going to want when he gets home!  His all time favorite is Mexican.. so I'm definitely stocking up those types of ingredients. Which is nice because they are EASY meals. Carley is excited to help me make the goodies and decorate!  Should be lots of fun and hopefully the time will go fast! I just can't wait to see the looks on the kids faces when they see their Dad for the first time in months!

 Church was amazing today. Several people accepted the Lord as their Savior! Last week I guess there were seven... not sure how many today!  But it's so exciting to see the Lord working!  There is nothing like seeing the hand of God move people! In Sunday School We celebrated our one year anniversary from when we started our class "The Overcomers"  I think every one of us teared up today.  W were talking about how the Lord has worked in all of our lives through the last year, with deployments, kids, marriage etc...  we were all able to see the big picture and how the Lord brought each one of us together in this group of supportive ladies. I could not have gotten through this deployment with out some of the amazing women. Recently one of our ladies had to PCS (permanent change of station) with her husband to Ft. Bliss.  We all missed her today dearly.  

After Sunday School and Church I went to pick up the kids from class.. to my wonderful surprise Stetson had a DRY PULL-UP.  Oh, the joys of parenting!  I see the light at the end of this tunnel and do I dare say I think he'll be trained by the time Daddy gets home?  oooh I hope sooo.....   He's so cute.. now when he has to go.. instead of saying potty or poo.. he actually says "Bathroom, Mommy"  but it sounds like Bah-froom! soo sooo cute! 

The Farm

During our six week visit to Minnesota we had so much fun. I wont be able to tell you ALL about it.. but I'll post some special pictures and hopefully tell a little bit about each one.

We got there in time to celebrate my brother Marshall's graduation :)
Mallori and I picked up this Bible for him.. along with the necklace she got him in Haiti
a Christian T-shirt and a Camo Bible case. I love that were able to get his name engraved on it...if you can't see it.. .we had Marshall J. Hewitt printed because they couldn't fit his full middle name.

 My sister Katrice always makes the cakes for all of our family celebrations. I so wish I had her talent! Her cakes are flawless!

 The food is always amazing with home made rolls and shredded pork roast.

 I can't believe my little brother is so grown up. I am the eldest daughter and he is the eldest boy born after 5 daughters. Needles to say my Dad was pretty excited the day his first son came into the world. I remember it like it was yesterday :)

My Beautiful sister Mallori... who used to be my little side-kick!

 

 fun at the party..................

 Baby Ryder (Uncle Tom and  Aunt Missy's fourth son)  He is so CUTE!

 Playing football................

 

Some of my many sisters...............

Katina, Lovely, Jenyka and my niece Hannah

 The ol' swing................it goes so high... and that's my favorite Cottonwood as you can see the kids have put steps and a fort in it recently.

The kids and I stayed at my sister Katrice's house which is only about a mile from our parents but on the same ranch.  So here are some pic from her house and swimming at the gravel pit.

 Oh, here Stetson was so tired he just fell asleep on the tile.....

 The gravel pit is our favorite summer spot to hang out.... it's become the community swimming hole as well.. several friends and neighbors come here to cool off. This is Will in the red shorts.. Katrice's 16 month old.

 Stetson and my brother Carson....

Me, Jessica, Jennyka and Katrice

 Hannah..... right before she learned how to swim!!!!

Katrice and I did lots of baking together... here we made hot dog buns.. I hadn't rolled them like that before but they were so yummy.

Me and the kids stayed in Hannah's new room.  Isn't her horse picture beautiful?  Katrice and Whitney painted it the week before I got there!  Hannah was very proud to show off her new pretty bed and decor. They also painted grass and flowers all the way around the bottom of the walls.

Stetson and Will had sooo much fun playing and getting in to trouble together.  Their favorite thing was the get into the cupboards!  But they also had lost of fun playing in the kiddie pool out back and trucking around the yard getting dirty!

My Niece and Nephew are getting so big... I can't believe I'll have another one in a few months!  YES, Katrice is due on Thanks Giving Day this year.

Here my two brothers Marcus and Marshall are holding the two youngest Nephews.. Stetson and Will.

Stetson and Will once again!  They are only 5 months apart. And my little guy is the older of the two.

My van was pretty much packed on the way home from the swimming hole...

My beautiful Sister Katrice with baby William Gabriel Housker!  We call him Will for short.. if you didn't catch that.

I have NO idea what Carley was thinking here.... actually I never know what this girl is thinking... she's my mystery girl.. it's something new every day! :)

Check back.. cause I might add more pictures from the trip.

I headed back home after being gone for over  6 weeks. This was my first long trip with all three kids and no extra help.  Mallori flew into Dallas and was able to ride with me to Minnesota.  But Thank God everything went well back to TX and I didn't have any car trouble. I did get a hotel on the way home.. which was nice. I couldn't not have drove straight through byself.  But it still only took me two days.

Church and Salmon

Today was a great day at church.  We had good fellowship, encouragement, Bible reading, Prayer and yummy muffins made by Caitlin! We also finished our study of Jeremiah.

Our class is celebrating one year next week end. The new name of our group is now "The Overcomers"

From our Facebook page-

We call ourselves "The Overcomers," taken from 1 John 5:4-5. Because we are God's children, we can overcome the obstacles of daily living with God's grace and guidance while being separated from ones we love.

Description- Women of Deployed Soldiers Class at Skyline Baptist Church in Killeen, TX  I haven't been with them for quite a year but it's been an amazing journey. We've gotten to be close friends and sisters in Christ. Being able to share everything from our joys to our troubles. Most of all we've grown in the Lord.  I am thankful to my friend Kathryn Loudermilk for introducing me to this wonderful church.  Skyline has been a great place for me to be during my husbands deployment. I look forward to introducing Sean to my church as soon as he gets home :)  I hope and pray he loves it as much as I do!  Our Pastor, Kenny Rawls and a team from our church just got back from their mission trip to Brazil and we were able to hear several great stories and testimonies of their trip this morning!  It sounds like many people found Jesus and they were able to start their second church over there.  I hope some day I'll be able to have that same opportunity.  Kids all dressed up for church.....  Stetson has two cowlicks that just will not cooperate. They were actually combed down for church.. this was after playing at church for almost three hours!  But I love his new hair cut.. see how short it is in the back.  After church I decided I better hurry and grill up some salmon that I had thawed out yesterday. After the power outage we had from some local fires my refridgerator had been off for several hours. I had to then put the salmon back in the freezer so that it wouldn't get warm. Well, I found a recipe that I had to alter just a tad since I don't have any rum in the house.  But it turned out amazing!!! And if you want the recipe, let me know! This was my first time making salmon period and I would say on a scale from one to ten.. it was a nine... only because I MAY have over cooked it a tad.. but I'm not sure.  The thick spots were  just a  little dry. But that might be because I spilled a little of the sauce that I put on top.  I cut my own slab of cedar to give it a little smoked flavoring.   Even the kids liked it :)

Underwear!

Why are boys in their underwear so darn cute???????????    Maybe it's because we've seen their little tooshes covered with a big ol' diaper for so long,  then we finally get to see their REAL shape.. and maybe partly for me, it's cause he's still my baby!  My how hard it is to watch them grow up! I can't believe he'll be two in two and a half weeks! I wish I could stop time.

He'd been doing pretty good potty training with pull ups.. but I'm trying to save money.. and of course I saw these undies at Wal-mart and couldn't pass them up!  He's pretty much trained on the whole poo poo thing... but still has several wet accidents.  I am really hoping he's done before our trip to Cali in October... Better  yet... before Daddy gets home!

 I love his funny faces..............

Here the other two had to get in on the fun!