Sweet, Sweet Sounds

Lately, I have been really focusing on the goals/plans I wanted to accomplish during deployment.  As I have mentioned before, some of my goals are of course the usual get organized, loose weight, re-decorate etc.  But the goals I really want to accomplish that will have a much more lasting, meaningful purpose have really been on my mind lately.  One of those goals was to have a daily devotional time with the kids and to teach them scripture.  We try to read a bible story at dinner when it is possible or as we wind down at bedtime. In addition to this, another goal I had was to help the kids memorize scripture.  We have been working on a couple of  scriptures and they have done really well memorizing them.  I know how important it is for me to memorize scripture and pull on that knowledge during times when I need encouragement or strength etc.  So, I want the kids to have that same knowledge.  I am so proud of what they have learned so far and I wanted to share a couple videos of them saying their verses.

*you may want to pause the music player at bottom so you can hear the kids better ;)

Missing Him

Ever had a week when you just felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness???

Ever had a week when you would give anything to come home to a hug???

Ever had a week when you would love to wake-up and your husband be right there...in person...not a picture or an image on the computer???

Boy, I sure have had one of those this week.
Don't get me wrong, I miss J terribly everyday.  Not a moment passes that I don't think about him.  Not a moment passes that I don't wonder what he's doing, then proceed to figure up the time difference and try to imagine what he may be doing.  He is never far from our hearts and our thoughts...I just wish that he wasn't so far from our arms.

Not sure what brought this all on...maybe I do...who knows...

I am not the only one missing him though, the kids are missing him too.  Jack has been really great about verbalizing how he is feeling and letting me know when he needs to talk about daddy.  Of course, he asks me daily how much longer...that number is still not getting small enough fast enough, ha.  Madeline is a different story though.  She does not say much about missing daddy, though I know she does.  She has had a few pretty intense melt-downs that just down right break my heart.  She had one of those this week.  (Didn't help with my already missing him terribly feelings)  It breaks my heart to look at my children hurting.  To listen to them talk about missing daddy.  To know how much they just want daddy to come home.

While Madeline was having her melt down I just held her and reassured her, but the sweetest thing happened.  Jack sat with me and put his hand on her and said "mommy, we need to pray for sissy, God will help her feel better"  (yea, if I was not already crying at that point, I was for sure by then)  So Jack prayed a sweet little prayer for Madeline to feel better and it was just perfect and sweet and to the point.  How thankful I am that God has chosen me and Jason to parent these children.  How blessed I am.

After is was all over and everyone was in the bed, I was talking about it with my friend trying to process it all and she made such a wise observation.  She pointed out that last deployment Madeline did not have these meltdowns since she really did not understand, but when daddy came home she did not know how to act and the reintegration process was tough (ok, tough is an understatement) BUT as much as it breaks my heart to see Madeline have these meltdowns, they probably are a good thing because it means she is thinking about daddy and showing how much she is missing him...and maybe, just maybe, reintegration will be "easier" this time. 

This week, as I was basically having my own little pity party, I was thinking about just how much I miss J.  Not just miss him, but things about him and things we would be doing as a family if he was home.  So I came up with a little list of "What I Miss"...
- doing his laundry  (did I seriously just say that??? yes, I do.  I really do )
- cleaning the "splatter" off the mirror every morning where he has shaved and brushed his teeth
- cooking real meals (I love to cook, especially our "Friday night fun night meals" aka can not be a casserole on Friday night)
- sitting next to him at dinner
- holding hands
- watching a movie after the kids go to bed and eating popcorn and/or a bowl of ice cream
- hugs
- watching "his" shows on tv (for the most part we do not have the same taste in shows, but it did not bother me to watch those shows because it meant we were together...and I find myself from time to time watching shows that I think he would be watching if he were at home)
- a shoulder to lean my head on
- help with bath time and bedtime
- being able to pick up the phone and call him
- sound of the garage door opening
- the anticipation of him coming home after a long day
- packing his lunch
- grilling out (this is completely his job, the last time I tried to light the grill it did not end so well)
- fighting him for covers (I always tease him that he is trying to keep the floor warm because that is where the covers end up)

I could keep on with the list, but I think the point is made...I miss my hubby.



I came across this picture of him a little while back on facebook and I totally swiped it ;) 

Then I came across this one on my phone from back last fall when we took him to the airport to begin this long deployment journey.

But, as much as I have been feeling really blah this week, God has been so faithful to send me comforts with reminders of His strength and grace in scripture and through the reminders of friends.  I know it is not a mistake that when I was feeling really low this week, I would get a text, call, or message from a friend letting me know that I was being laid on their hearts...yep, no mistake...just comforts and reminders.  Thank you, God, that my lines have fallen in pleasant places.


and much thanks to my sweet friend for the goody bags for my children and this basket full of goodness...I am enjoying some (I will not tell how much) of the chocolate as I type this blog...they are spectacular...I will be using the new water bottle and towel next week when I am working this off, but for now, I am enjoying this yumminess and thanking God for the sweet friends He has placed in my life....again, all I can think is how grateful I am that my lines have fallen in pleasant places (Psalm 16:6) 

Spring Break 2011

Last week was spring break for Jack.  Madeline's pre-school follows a different school calendar and her spring break is not until next month, but we did not let that stop us from having a great time.

The weather was wonderful!  We stayed outside everyday.  We had play dates and lunch dates.  We had t-ball practice and I went to zumba.  We had a great time!   Below are some pictures of our week:
Jack and Madeline before we went to church:

Jack and Madeline dressed and ready to go on a lunch date with mommy.  I let the kids choose where we could go, they chose the local pizza buffet (oh the things we will do for our kids)

Madeline and me (photo by Jack) before we left for lunch:

Jack and me (photo by Madeline) before we left for lunch:

Another day we had a lunch and play date with our friends Hannah Grace, Hope, Noah, and Lily.  The kids had so much fun!:

We also had a picnic and park day with my brothers and stepmom.  Below Madeline and Chase are inside the tunnel:

Jack having a fun time at the park:

This week also wrapped a bible study I have been hosting at my house.  We had our last lesson of Tour of Duty on Friday night.  I have really enjoyed this study and getting to know the ladies in the group so much better.  We are going to start another study soon ;)

We celebrated with a Girls Day out over the weekend.  Unfortunately everyone could not be with us and they were greatly missed.  We got pedicures and went to lunch at one of our favorite Japanese restaurants.

Kim, Angela, Pam and me:

Pam and Kim:

Angela and me:

Our fresh pedicures:

Spring break is over and its back to the hustle and bustle.  I am going to try not to complain about that too much seeing as how time sure does seem to go super fast when we are this busy.