Military Wife

This is for the young women that are waking up at 6 a.m. every morning with small precious children that they have been left alone to care for. This is for the pregnant military wife wondering if her husband will make it home in time to watch their miracle happen. This is for the childless military wife, living in a town or on a base alone where she is a complete stranger to her surroundings. This... is for the women that feel like a third leg when they go out with their friends and their husbands. This is for the military wife that canceled all her plans to wait by the phone, and even though the phone breaks up and cuts off every time you speak to him you waited anyway. This is a pledge to the women that cry themselves to sleep in an empty bed. This is to recognize the woman that felt like she was dying inside when he said he had to go, but smiled for him anyway. This is for those of you that are faithfully in that long line at the post office once a month handling 2 large boxes and 2 small children like a pro. This is for that woman that decided to remodel the house to pass time, and then realized that she had no idea what she was doing and sighed and wished she had a little help. This is for all the lonely nights, all the one-person dinners, and all of the wondering thoughts because you haven't heard from him in days. A toast to you for falling apart, and putting yourselves back together. Because a pay check isn't enough, a body pillow in your bed is no consolation, and a web cam can never compare. This is for all of you, no matter how easy or hard this was for you. Our military men are brave, they are heroes, but so are we. So the next time someone tells you that they would never marry a military guy, don't bother explaining to them that you can't control who you fall in love with. Just think of this and nod your head, and know that you are the stronger woman. Hold your heads up high, hang that flag in your front yard, stick 100 magnets on your car, and then give yourself a pat on the back. Be proud to be the woman that you are, be proud to be a MILITARY WIFE ♥

1st For Both

Two weeks ago my little angel started Mother's Morning Out (little boy school).  He prefers to refer to it as "school" cuz Bubba goes to school and he just has to do everything that Bubba does!!  He is really loving it!!  I have missed that time with him, but knowing he is loving it and getting to interact with kids his own age has made it alot easier.  Not to mention.....his awesome teacher Mrs. Jill!!  WE LOVE YOU!!!

 These are some pix from his first week of school......

Playing with his toys in school....so happy!!

"Look at my lunchbox"

Walking in from the car

 

Also, Cayden started soccer this week!  We opted not to play soccer last year cuz he wasn't really interested and because daddy wasn't going to be here we decided not to push it seeing as how I was already stretched thin with all the other activities.  I have always said that if either one of them don't want to play a sport there is no way that I would ever push it!!  This year, he was begging to play soccer.  He is soooo funny out there on that field.  I will not say that he is very good, but he sure loves it!!  He runs up and down the field with a constant smile on his face!!   He is going in the direction of the ball so that is a move in the right direction!  :))  He has the BESTEST coach ever..... Marcy Jones....YOU ROCK!!  Here are some pix of him at his first game......

HUDDLE TIME

Time to play and sooooo ready!!

So as you can see...we are having tons of fun and staying SO BUSY!!  I'm not complaining though.  The busy evenings takes away the loneliness just a little bit.  There are times I do wish to just sit down, but I am sure every mother has those feeling once and a while!! 

Daddy, the boys sure wish you could be here to see all that they are doing.  We will keep the pix coming and that will just have to do until you can be home!!  Hopefully not much longer!!  Love you so much!  Miss you more and more everyday that passes!!

Cayden-Our Big 1st Grader

Yesterday was Cayden's first day of the 1st grade!! I am so very proud of him yet, I am sad to see it all go so fast. It seems like yesterday I was in the hospital delivering that sweet bundle of joy and that is exactly what he has been to us for the last 6 years, is a pure bundle of joy!! Cayden is our first born and my life's calling was fulfilled when he came into this world. To be a mother.....that is all I have ever wanted to be in life is a mother and a wife!! God has truly blessed on both accounts!! JD and I have 2 amazing little boys who literally carry our hearts where ever they go!!!

He got in the car both yesterday and today so excited and happy to be in the 1st grade!! So far, he is loving it!! He loves to learn so this should be lots of fun for him!! Did you know they give spelling test in the 1st grade now?!?!?!? So much has changed since I went through and I AM NOT THAT OLD!!!! Let's just hope he takes after me in spelling and his daddy in math.....he will be in good shape if he does! :))

Here are some pix of my baby boy through the years until now!!

The day we came home from the hospital

1st birthday

2 years
2nd birthday

3 years
Cole, Carson, and Cayden playing in Mighty Mites
3rd birthday

4 years old
4 year old preschool graduation
4th birthday
5 and 6 years old
First day of Kindergarten
5th birthday
His first lost tooth
6th birthday

I know this is a lot of pix, but I went down memory lane and got carried away! :/

And now we have made it to THE BIG 1ST GRADE
On the way to school...

Olivia and Cayden

Sitting at his big boy desk....

No matter how big our baby gets, he will always be just that....our baby!! JD and I as parent's main goal is to instill Jesus into his sweet heart!! Our little guy is off to a good start!!

We are so proud of you Cayden! We can't wait to see how much you learn this year!

Rest and Relaxation

We just finished our 2 weeks of R&R. We had the best 2 weeks ever, but it was terribly sad to see him go......AGAIN. I AM SO OVER THIS!!!! Ok....sorry, I just had to get that out.

Anyway, like I said, we had such a fun time. He flew in on July 20th. Our 10 year anniversary was July 21st, so I would say, he got here just in time! I left the kids with my mom and dad that night so we could celebrate our anniversary before going to get them. It is so hard to believe that we have been married for 10 years, but I can honestly say that even with all the ups and downs we have gone through.....this has been the best 10 years of my life!! Here are some pix of us through the years.... Last, but not least, our Wedding Day....

I know that I look 3 years old here, that is only cuz I was!!
:))

I know that it is such a cliche' for me to say, but our love only gets stronger and stronger with every year that we go through. I am more in love with you today than I was the day we married bay!!!


The next morning, we woke up and went to get the babies....they were so happy to see their daddy after 8 LONG months. I have a really sweet video from that day, but can't figure out how to download it. :/ Here are some pix from right after they saw him.
We waited to have Grayson's 2nd bday party until daddy could be here to celebrate since it was so close to him coming home. It was a great time for everyone to see JD as well so we had a lot of friends and family show up for the big day!! Thank you to everyone who came!!



We were so blessed that our R&R fell in the summer time so we could take our annual family vacation to the beach! For some reason, this year had so much more meaning....wonder why?!?!?! We had an amazing time. It was so nice to get away and be selfish with our family time for a few days. This was definitely one of my most favorite beach trips so far.

"Woooo look at that water"

The rest of our time together was a lot of relaxing. We were able to take our boat out a couple of times while he was here. Here are some pix from one of those times.

The Captain of the boat

Cayden knee boarding

Eddy and Leah

Mindy and me tubing

Me and Leah

Me knee boarding

Dad and Mom

Well, that about wraps up our 2 weeks together. Ofcourse, we had an amazing time and hated to see it end, but we are so glad to be able to say we are on the last leg of this deployment. We have less than 100 days left!! WOO HOO!!!

God is so good! He has taught us a lot through this process and I just hope he can say that we have been pleasing to him!! We give him all the Praise and Glory!!

JD, thank you for such a wonderful time!! We were and still are so sad to see you go, but we know we are so close to being done. The boys and I pray for you every second of everyday!! I love you with my whole heart and then some!! :))