Someone's Having A Birthday

Today is my sweet husband's birthday!  Happy Birthday Jason!!

I wish so much that we could be with him today to celebrate him, but since we can not, I wanted to make sure he had a good day (or at least as good as possible)  When I last spoke with him, he had not received his birthday care package from us, so I do not want to share those pictures just yet (but I will once he receives it)  I did order him a birthday cake from one of those companies that send cakes to deployed soldiers.  I had it selected to deliver on his birthday, but it delivered early which is fine.  I was a little disappointed in the size of the cake.  I thought it would be enough to share, but as you can see in the picture below, it is not big at all.  Oh well, at least Jason got to enjoy a piece of it.  :) 

That is the cake in front of mouse pad and computer...to get an idea of the size look at the cake compared to the mouse pad...see what I mean??? 


Below is a video of the Jack and Madeline singing daddy Happy Birthday

Jason,
We hope that your having a wonderful birthday!  We love you so very much and can not wait to see you soon!  Hurry Up R&R!!!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the greatest Daddy in the world!!!

Jason and Jackson (about 4 months old) Can not believe this little cutie is about to be 7 yrs old.

Jason and Madeline (about 4 months old) Hard to believe this sweetie is 4 1/2 yrs. old (yes, we make chunky babies)

walking on the beach with daddy on vacation last year

We sent Jason a Father's Day care package:

we decorated the inside with cut out trophies because daddy is #1

I let the kids pick out their own presents for daddy...they loved doing this!  Everyone needs glow in the dark hand clappers and huge pink sunglasses, right???



Then we made 2 pillowcases with pictures of the kids on them:

Jack decorating his pillowcase

Madi decorating her pillowcase

We miss Jason a lot and hope that he enjoys his Father's Day as much as possible!!! 

10 Years and Going Strong

10 years ago today, I married my high school sweetheart.  I can still remember the day so vividly.  It was perfect in every way - exactly the way I planned it to be (I planned it for over a year) and the end result was the best ever - I was married to my precious husband, the man the God created just for me.  How blessed I was then, how blessed I am today.
This morning I have been remembering all the details of the day...spending the day at the salon with my mom and bridesmaids getting our hair done and how Jason had his dad deliver flowers to me there.  Thinking about my mom and my grandmother helping me get dressed at the church.  Remembering how precious my granddad was before he walked me down the aisle and the sweet conversation we had.  Remembering how much fun my bridesmaids were and how they kept my nerves calm and belly hurting from laughing so much.  Remembering how sweet Jason was when he first saw me in my dress and was afraid to touch me.   Such sweet memories...
Below are a few pictures from our wedding day:

and the most recent picture of us...it was taken last fall just days before Jason left for this deployment:

I would give anything for us to be together today, but it just did not work out like that.  Even though we could not be together, Jason did send me some very great gifts!  (gotta love those Afghan markets!) 

And of course I had to send him a little happy anniversary prize.  Since there is not a whole lot I can send, I just decorated the inside of the box with some hearts the kids made:

 then made a "Nuts About You" basket...(cause I am nuts about him)  (= 

I was lucky enough to get a phone call and to skype today so I am a very happy girl...now trying to remain positive.  My little boy has another all stars game tonight (we have games everyday this week and tournament next week so that is the reason for my lack of posting and reading blogs...hopefully I can catch up soon cause there is so much I want to share)  So I will spend my anniversary at the ballfield (yay)  I will not however, eat another thing from the concession stand.  (;

Madeline's Recital

This past weekend was Madeline's dance recital.  She was so precious.  I enjoyed watching her and her friends perform.  They were so cute and Madeline loved being on stage.  :)
Below are a few pictures from the recital:

Madeline during her tumbling routine:

Madeline during her ballet routine:

Madeline's tap routine (This one was probably my favorite):

Performing during the Finale:

Madeline receiving her trophy from Ms. Leigh Ann:

Posing with her flower, trophy, and sweet doll daddy sent:

Madeline and me:

Madeline, Jack, and me:

Sweet brother and sister (I love my kids!):

Madeline and Jack with meme:

Chase, Madeline, Jack, Nana, and Granddaddy:

Granna, Madeline, Jack, and Pops:

A love that big 'ol smile

Emma and Madeline = the bestest of friends:

Ms. Leigh Ann and Madeline:

I can not wait to get the DVD back from this recital and for J to get home so he can watch it.  I know he is going to love it! 

This Week

This has been a long week...
This has been a busy week...
There have been times this week when I have thought (and said out loud) am I going to make it this week???
I knew I would make it, I knew that God would give me everything I needed to get through this week just as He has been faithful  to do in all the weeks before this.  So what was different about this week?  Nothing.  Why was I letting doubt creep in?  Simply because I was taking my eyes off His faithfulness and instead trying to do it on my own.  I like to be in control...still to this day, I like to have a sense of "I got this" instead of the knowledge (and comfort) that "He has this" 
This week has been filled with lots of preparations for Madeline's upcoming dance recital and Jack's all-stars practices - often both coinciding with each other...which was causing me to choose which child to be with and me feeling terrible for not being able to do both - I know most of you are thinking that's not a big deal, but when one parent is already missing all these events I feel like I need to be there for my children.  I am so thankful for our wonderful family who is filling in so much for me during all this.  What a blessing they have been. 
This week I have been feeling pretty lonely...specifically missing J.  Our 10th wedding anniversary is next week and I have been thinking about how much I wish I could see J on our anniversary.  Thinking about how many anniversaries we have spent apart. Looking at the calendar and noticing we still have xx # of days till R&R and xxx # of days left in this deployment...goodness I can not wait till our family is together again. 
I know R&R will be here soon enough - trust me, we have enough to keep us busy until then :)

I shared this thought on FB this morning: When you come to a place that Christ is all you have, you will find that He is all you need. 
So even when my week is overwhelming, even when my heart is burden for friends who are hurting, even when I am feeling lonely...I know that He is all I need.  I know that these times are meant to move me past my sense of self and instead into a more real and closer relationship to Christ.  These are the times when His character is more real to me.  When His strength is felt.  He is ALL that I need.    
   

Wordless Wednesday

Relaxing in mommy's foot spa ;)

How Neat Is This?!?!

Yesterday, my brother (who is also deployed to Afghanistan) shared with me that he got Jack and Madeline a gift.  He had an American flag flown from an air craft during a combat mission in their honor.  He then took the flags and had them framed with certificates and medals.  How neat is that!!!!  Below are a couple pictures he took of the frames and sent to me.
Jack's frame:

Close up of Jack's certificate in the frame:

Madeline's frame:

Close up of Madeline's certificate:

He said they are in the mail and on their way to us...I can not wait to see them!!!