Memories Part 1

 I feel like I should update this blog more... It's been awhile. 

Husband came home safely from Afghanistan.

We went to Mexico for a week and had a blast! 

While we were there we went parasailing.

Started off summer by buliding Little Man his own sand and water table, thanks to my awesome, talented Daddy. He had such a blast with it!

Helped Sisters with teaching Vacation Bible School at our church. We had the youngest, coolest group of kids, FYI.

Little Man was a ring bearer for a very special, and precious couple. This was the only picture he'd let me take of him...

Husband, his dad, his sister and I went to our first Spurs game. They were in the Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder! Husband almost got into a fight with a little boy who wouldn't keep his mouth shut about the Spurs losing... I totally would have backed him up. The kid was ridiculous.

We were happy to celebrate Father's Day with our soldier! Little Man was really happy to have Daddy home.

We had such a fun summer, spending time together. I had a blast watching my boys reconnect.

Little Man was a ring bearer for another wedding, his Aunt Nanan's. She got married on his birthday!

Then, we played tourists for the day. We went to Mount Rushmore!

After we got back, it was crunch time to get Little Man's party together. He turned 3!

A few days later, we had to say goodbye to an amazing woman, Lois Folk. But, we were able to celebrate her life, knowing she went to heaven. I'm so thankful I knew her and was able to see her regularly.

I have a lot more updates, but I'll save them for the next post. I plan to update this thing more!
Thanks so much for reading!

Wow. I don't even know where to begin.

November: Thanksgiving went okay. It was definitely lonely without Chris here. I got to spend the entire thanksgiving break studying for exams and finals. Potty-training wasn't very successful. We have such a stubborn child. Wonder where he got that from...

December: December was probably the craziest month of my life. Preparing for finals was exhausting. But right after the were over, Declan and I hopped on a plane and flew to Baltimore to see his Uncle Bubba and Aunt Amanda! We were so excited to see them, and thankful that Aunt Nanan and Aunt Arae were able to be with us too! We had such a blast and it was so nice to get away for a bit. We got to relax, take Dec to the park, and got some shopping in before we went to Nanan's graduation! After the graduation we drove ALL the way back to Oklahoma from Virginia. A few days after we got back, we had Christmas with my parents, then Christmas with my extended family, THEN Christmas with in-laws. Declan got MORE than enough toys... especially musical instruments. He was also given a lot of small toys like cars. Daddy will be SO happy. NOT. He'll step on them all and yell like he always did. ;-) Waking up on Christmas was SUPER lonely, so the night before I told Dec that he could sleep with me. That way, I would wake up by myself. After all Christmas celebrations, Declan and I went with my parents and my brother to Dallas to do some shopping. I love Dallas so much! We had a lot of fun.

January: I was kind of dreading January to get here because I knew once school started, I wouldn't really get much of a life. And I was NOT wrong. It's absolutely insane. I have something due every single day. I'm studying all the time. But, it has made this time go by SO fast! Declan started going back to his school and that was rough on the both of us. I had NOT had him out of my sight the whole break. We both had some separation issues, but now we're back in our routine and it's a lot better. My birthday was also this month. My 2nd birthday in a row without Husband. That was really rough. He was able to sent me a gift for me to open right on time! I was so thankful, but he knew that the only present I wanted, was for him to be home.

February: Now to this month. Not a lot has happened so far. Just school. We're still keeping busy. OH! Actually, Chris and I booked our vacation we'll be going on shortly after he gets home. We are SO excited! I keep telling Chris how many days until we're on the beach in Mexico. I think it's a good encouragement for him. We're so excited to get away and spend some time together.

Sometime in December Chris moved from his COP to a different location in Afghanistan. At that point he was so excited to leave because they had him doing SO many night shifts and he was exhausted from not getting a lot of sleep. But, I was SO thankful we were able to talk to him on Christmas! Chris said at that new location, everything was better. They were able to relax a bit, and the food was a ton better. And they even had midnight chow for the ones that had to be up late! I thought that that was so awesome! Especially since I know my boy likes to eat. ;-)
Most recently Chris has told me a new situation that they put him in, along with a different location. The situation isn't good. While, I can't state specifics, I do know at the new location he will NOT be able to contact me. That means, I wont be able to talk to him until mid-March. I wont know if he made it safe, I wont know anything. I wont hear from him for another month and a half. It's killing me. So I just ask you to PLEASE pray for him. I know God is with him and keeping him safe, but it doesn't change how much I miss him and how much I still worry about him. You have absolutely NO idea how much your prayers and support mean to us. We are so THANKFUL and blessed to have such amazing people in our lives. Thank you so much for reading, checking up on us, and KEEP PRAYING. =)
God Bless.

Busy.

   Long time, no post! Wow. Life has been crazy busy since the last post. Chris made it safely back to his COP after R&R. We miss him like crazy! R&R is such a tease! They give you long enough to get into a routine, then they take him away! But, Declan and I have been back into a routine since Chris left, and it definitely doesn't get easier. Things have been so rough lately. We've been super busy and Daddy has been super busy so we haven't been able to talk to him much lately.
   School has kept us busy. The classes I'm taking definitely aren't getting easier, so I'm having to keep up with my studying. But, finals are almost here and I can't wait for a break! Tomorrow is the only day I have class, then I'm done for the week. The professors however, decided to assign us a butt-load of homework. But, not too much longer and I'm done for he semseter! Next semester I'm taking Microbiology, Genetics, and Chemistry II. That will definitely keep me busy until Chris comes home!! I'm so excited!
   I was thinking the other day how awful it's gonna be waking up on thanksgiving day and christmas day without our Hero. =( Poor Dec. He has no idea. We are definitely ready for March to get here! We are SO anxious. We're gonna be SO busy next month! My sister-in-law is graduating from Nursing school in Virginia and Dec and I get to see her graduate! We can't wait to see her! A few days before her graduation, are my finals. Right after my last final, Dec and I are flying to Baltimore to stay with my brother-in-law and his wife. It will be an awesome break from school. We're gonna have a blast. Everytime I ask Dec if he wants to fly to see them, he says, "No, see Dada." It totally breaks my heart, but I just keep telling him that we'll see Daddy soon!
   Besides being busy, we are doing pretty well. I'm planning on working on Potty-Training Dec over thanksgiving break, so hopefull we'll see some improvement. We talk to Chris some, but he's been so busy lately. He's doing well, but he doesn't get to sleep as much as he should. They keep him busy with a lot of over-night duty, then has stuff for him to do during the day. He needs sleep so he can stay alert! We definitely appreciate all the prayers. They are keeping him alive! We're so thankful for all of the support we've been given as well!

R&R

Draft from September 22.
 Yesterday was the 10th "goodbye" I have said to my husband the past YEAR. That's how many times he's had to leave his family for training or deployment. You'd think we'd be used to it by now, but no. It's the hardest thing I have had to do. Especially this last time. R&R is such a tease. The army allows him to come home long enough to get into a routine, and then they take him back again. But, while Chris was home these past 2 weeks we had a BLAST. Declan, now being older than when daddy left in Febuary, had so much fun with his daddy. They wrestled, played basketball, football, and golf. They jumped around and ran like crazy! You can just tell that Dec loves his daddy so much. Chris couldn't believe the stuff Dec does now. You can have mini-conversations with him. He is such a little rascal and would say the funniest stuff! I was so happy to see that they were able to spend so much time together. But, it also made it SO much harder to watch him kiss and hug daddy "bye". While Chris was here, we took Dec to the Jenks Aquiarium, and the Gentry Safari. .We had so much fun and were so happy to be together and be a family again!
   When Chris first arrived, his family had absolutely no idea that he was here! Chris had been wanting to surprise them for a really long time, so I agreed to it. We found out that his parents were eating out with our pastor from our church and decided to surprise them there. Then, I called my brother-in-law and asked if he was able to get his little family to the same restaurant. We walked in, and just surprised them!! They were SO shocked to see Chris! It was such an amazing and memoriable moment! AND we were able to get it on video!! Everything turned out perfectly. It was such an amazing start for his R&R.

Here's to Another Change

   Man, oh man. I definitely miss the beach. Since we got back, Dec and I have been on the move non-stop! We finally got home from Florida at 4:30am on a Sunday. Then, I had all day to rest up and prepare for classes the next day! Yay for going back to school!   
   Poor Dec. He has gone through so much change the past few months! But, I feel like we're on a pretty good routine now. Fall semester started about 3 weeks ago and while I'm at school, Dec is also at school. He loves it! He's having a blast with the other kids and always asks to go outside to play.... even in the heat!! He continues to amaze his teachers everyday with his quick learning! I am so thankful and blessed! He is truely, an amazing kid. Apparently, he doesn't like to get messy. When they finger-paint at school, Dec refuses to paint with them. Do we have a clean/neat freak? Maybe... But I'm not complaining!;-) Declan still plays with my phone and watches videos of him and Daddy. He giggles so much at him, and I'm so glad he still remembers how goofy Daddy is! Every time Dec sees a bus of any kind he'll go, "Dada's bus. Dec drive Dada's bus." It's so funny. But, then I've been telling him that next time Daddy comes home will be on an airplane. Then he says, "Dec drive Dada's airplane." It's precious. He can't wait to see Daddy, and I'm excited too! We want him home so badly!
   Like I said earlier, classes started up and I have been so busy! I've been doing homework and studying, but also spending time and taking care of my precious 2-year-old. It's hard. It's REALLY hard, but I'm doing the best I can. I try to finish stuff while Dec is sleeping. And Dec also going to school helps me a lot. I've been doing well so far at this whole school thing, I just hope I can keep it up! It's so easy to choose Dec over school! =)
   I've been able to talk to Chris quite a bit still. I am SO thankful! He's alive and doing well, so far. Dec and I (and our familes) continue to pray for him everyday! Chris is ready to come home, and wants to be with us so badly!! He hates it there. He'll be so glad when April is here, and we will too! And if we continue to stay as busy as we have been, these next months will be a breeze!!!
   I've been so focused on Dec and school, that I can't believe it's already September! Which also means it's FOOTBALL SEASON!!!! This is my favorite season!! And now that Dec knows what it is, and likes watching the tackles, we've gonna have a blast. And hopefully Dec will learn how to throw a spiral by the end of the season. ;-)
   Anyways, I need to get back to studying. Thank you so much for reading and keep praying for us, please! We definitely couldn't get through all this without the One and amazing, God!

Bye Florida!

   I can't believe we are heading back to Oklahoma in a few hours. These past two weeks have flown by SO fast. Everyone is in bed, but I am awake writing this post, amazed at how fast this went. I am so glad Dec and I came. We got to spend an awesome time with the Chris' whole family! Including their cousin and his wife! I am still incredibly sad that Chris was unable to join us, but this break is definitely what I needed. I truly have the most amazing in-laws I could ever ask for. We had a blast going to the beach, the pool, out to restaurants, and we LOVED taking pictures! But, most of all, we loved being together. I'm so sad to leave because when we leave, Cherée will go up to Liberty with Melanie because she transfered from NSU. Melanie has one more semester of Nursing school and is graduating in December. That leaves Merle and Carol, Me and Dec, Laurel and Laney coming back to Oklahoma. (Josh left early because he had to go back to work after a week.) So thank goodness I have at least 1 sister who will be close to me!    Declan has done so well here. But, his terrible 2's definitely started showing. It's awesome... But, hopefully as we get home and get back into a routine, he'll get better SOON. He has an amazing tan from being outside so much, too! Maybe he's starting to look a LITTLE like an indian boy.... =)
  I've been able to talk to Chris quite a bit while we've been here. Poor guy... This has been so, so, SO hard on him to not be here with everyone. And he's so jealous that I get to spend time with HIS family. Everytime we talked, he would just wish he could have been here. He's been going to a rough time lately. He's been having to go on "Guard Duty" and his shift has been 1:00am-4:45am several nights. And he can't sleep much during the day, so he's been completely EXHAUSTED. When Dec is in the mood, he'll talk to Daddy and will answer Daddy's questions or he'll sing to him. It is SO precious. Chris can't believe how much Dec talks! Well, we're leaving pretty early in the morning, so I should probably get some sleep. Please pray that we ALL have a safe trip to our destinations and that God continues to watch over Chris and the rest of our soldiers! Thanks for reading!

Another Month

   Man, oh man. Since the last post, things have been rough. Chris' birthday is on July 4th, and I was so upset we couldn't be with him to celebrate! He wasn't too happy to be spending his birthday in Afghanistan, either. But, that day I just keep reminding myself that before too long, we'll be together and celebrate ALL the holidays he has had to miss. The day after his birthday was our son, Declan's 2nd birthday. That was another rough day to go through! I just can't imagine how he feels to be so far away from his family. But, I am SO thankful he is okay! That Saturday I decided to celebrate Dec's birthday. He had a blast. And he got so many new, annoying toys that I'm sure Daddy can't wait to hear! ;-)
Also, my English class ended and I am so grateful that it ended! I am NOT good at English. I had my sister-in-law proof all my papers, and she made some comments about my lack of writing skills. Good thing my major isn't in that subject! =)
   Chris' family likes to go to Florida every couple of years, and this year was the year to go. They invited Dec and I to come along, and we accepted the offer. This decision was very hard on me because the last time we were at the beach, was right after we had Dec and he was only a few weeks old. So, we were here together as a family last time. Our time here has been a lot of fun. We've been at the pool quite a bit, and have gone to the beach a few times as well. Dec and I have awesome tans to go back home with. Chris' cousin and his wife got here the same day we did, and stayed with us for 5 days. The day before they left, Chris' brother and his wife arrived and they will be here for another day. It's been fun spending time with his familiy, but it's also sad that Chris is the only absent one. We've had a lot offun, but it hasn't been easy on me to be here without HIM. This weird schedule that we've been on has put a damper on Dec's sleeping schedule. For some reason, he's been waking up early! When at home, he usually sleeps in until 10 or 11! I guess it's because he doesn't want to miss out on spending time with family, because most of them have to go far away after this! =(
   So, our Anniversary was a few days ago... That day was the hardest day to go through, yet. I miss Chris more every day, but that day was insanely rough on me. We have been married 2 years, and I can't believe how fast it's gone by! I am so thankful that I get to spend the rest of my life with such an amazing man! He's doing so much for us AND for this country, and I couldn't be more proud of him! I'm so upset that we could celebrate together, but I am insanely thankful for his family who tried to make that day a happy one for me. They tried so hard, and I appreciate it so much!
   The past couple weeks, Declan has been putting words together to make sentences. It's adorable. He's also been praying by himself before he eats! And when he prays, he prays for Daddy! It is THE most precious thing EVER. He'll say, "bring dada home", "Jesus loves dada", etc. I love it. And when I told Daddy, he couldn't be more proud. I can't even express how happy it makes me that Dec loves Jesus! It's so amazing, and I'm gonna continue to work with him on it! That's the most important and number one thing that I want to teach him: Loving Jesus.
   Since Chris has been in Afghanistan, he has seen some action. He's isn't really allowed to tell me much but he did tell me this, "Just keep on praying for our safety, because i know God has definitely protected me from things a few times so far. i won't get in to it too much [detail], but i've had a couple of [stuff] fly right over our heads, and one that hit right outside the building that i sleep in. i'm not trying to scare you, but just let you know that I know that God is protecting me over here and i'm not worried about it because i've seen that He is definitely taking care of me." Not exactly the words I like to read, but it just makes our faith grow stronger! Also, our battalion lost 4 soldiers in ONE week. SCARY. I was a mess after learning this information. I can't help but worry about my husband, but I know that God has Chris in his hands. But, these events happening, hasn't made this any easier. All we can do is continue to pray, pray, pray for Chris, and the rest of the soldiers fighting for us!
   I know this post has kind of been all over the place, but it's really late, and I'm just killing time until Chris calls me again! Enough for now, as always: Thank you for reading!