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~

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!

Family Day at Fort Jackson, South Carolina

Our trip to see Sean after being apart for three months!

Got my hair colored... can you even tell?

After driving for two days... we finally took

the time to stop at a Cracker Barrel for breakfast.

We left Mom and Dad's house Sunday night...so I could

drive while the kids slept.

The kids slept so much in the car that I

have to say they did really well for a 1600 mile road trip!

This is Carley the morning of Family Day! She had a good, long

night's sleep!

After sitting through a briefing two hours long
on Thursday morning, we finally saw each other.
I was on post to get my pass the night before, but Sean
couldn't leave the barracks until Thursday morning. It was very surreal
to finally being there!!!!!!!! I finally felt as though I was part of the Army Family.

Lots of hugs, kisses and smiles!

I couldn't resist buying Colton ACU's like his Daddy!


JESSICA, my wonderful sister who I could not have
traveled without! What a sweet, caring girl!
I LOVE YOU, SIS!

Phase one is finally over! YIPPEE........... :o)

The Sale Barn

Uncles Carson and Marshall

Stetson's first cattle sale

Always lovin' on Momma

Silly Boy

As you can see, we had a fun day at the sale barn with uncles Marshall and Carson. It had been a few years since I drove a load to Bagley. It was fun to haul cattle again. Colton really enjoyed the cat-walk and watching wild bulls and cows try to attack the guy in the ring. He also had fun just hanging with his uncles and munching on good treats! Stets was great and slept through most of it!

Trip to Fort Jackson~ Family Reunion

1st Battalion 13th Infantry Regiment, E Company, 2nd Platoon- "Outlaws".....
Saying goodbye.......

The kids and I had a wonderful four days with Sean. My sweet sister, Jessica, came with me to help with the kids. I could not have traveled almost 4000 miles without her! I won't go on about how long and hard the trip was... I'll just say, we made it there safe and sound!

We got to Fort Jackson Wednesday night and checked into our hotel room. I left Jess with the two older kids and headed to post to get a weekend pass. To my surprise, while pulled over and nursing Stetson, Sean called!!! YIPPEE........... I hadn't heard from him since before I left for the trip. He had no idea how it was going or where I was! I said, "Guess what.... ??? I'm HERE!" He said, "NO WAY! You should drive by..." Well, we kept trying to make plans to see each other somehow... his plan was quite possible... He said I should walk by and ask directions while he took out the trash! But, we figured it wouldn't be worth losing family day privileges or not being able to graduate all together! So............... yes, I had to wait until 10 am the next day to see him. We got there early and had to wait a couple of hours, sit through a briefing and then go outside to find our soldiers among 1400 others. Good thing we have cell phones or I would never have been able to find him. When we first spotted each other I have to say it was like something in a movie.. (well, for me anyway) it was like I was seeing the man of my dreams for the very first time! (remember I've only seen one blurry picture of him the whole time!!!!!!!!) He was amazingly handsome! The worst part, was being a military wife.... or girlfriend.. we can't show public affection. So we had to keep that to a minimal hug... UGHHHHH!!!!!! So ... that had to wait! We had a wonderful day just driving around post talking. It was very surreal for me..... I was thinking, "THIS IS IT! I'm an official army wife... am I ready for this?????? Everyone is so strict and proper. I'm a farm girl who loves her man... willing to support him through everything." Does this mean I HAVE to learn the Army way? I'm already learning a lot of acronyms, etc... but there is so much it's overwhelming. I suppose I will catch on soon.

After waiting in line forever to get our lunch at Taco Bell, we put the kids in the van for their nap and drove around post for a couple of hours. After they woke up we took them to the park where Sean was able to interact with them for a couple more hours. Sean had to be back to the barracks by 19:30. Then, wake early for graduation the next day. That was fun as well.. but of course we had to get there OVER an hour early.. so the kids were great until right when it started. Oh well.. such is life.... kids jumping around, screaming, fighting, crying, laughing, talking and just being kids! Gotta love 'em! As soon as it was over I drove over to Sean's barracks where we waited for him to bring all his things out. We loaded everything up and took off for Georgia. We spent the night at my aunt Karen's house and then headed to MO the next day... we got two hotel rooms in Kentucky... one for Jess and the kids and one for Sean and I and Stetson. The next day we drove to Fort Leonard Wood, MO... not sure it was going to be our final goodbye or not. We found Sean's barracks, checked him in and then we ate dinner together, but unfortunately, he had to stay and we had to get a hotel off post. Saying goodbye was not fun of ... because after talking to one of the sergeants he said Sean couldn't get weekend passes for at least three weeks! But we also found out that he'll probably get a few days off for Thanksgiving. So, that will be my next trip down, even if I can only visit him on post it's better than nothing and I CANNOT WAIT!

Anyway... I'm glad to be off the road, rested up and ready to start running again. Hopefully this beautiful weather keeps coming.

Sean was so excited to see his new son! He loves his children so very much, it breaks his heart not to be with them every day as they are growing, changing, and doing new things all the time. Colton and Carley were both all over him with constant hugs, kisses and jabbering about everything! It was so nice to have Daddy back for a little while.

We love you Daddy.... see you soon :-)

PS. Sean will be starting his actual AIT on Tuesday. He has nine weeks of training and then another two weeks more of combat training after graduation. So, he'll be done late January.

Slideshow coming soon.....