52-51=1

That is right--just one week left. It is hard to believe that we have taken off all the links except for 1. I don't know who is more excited, Lee or us! I have filled up this week with lots of things to do to keep us busy! We will be counting down the DAYS now!! Safe travels and we love you!

Think Out of the Box

What can you make with 3 empty boxes? A train, a bus, a boat? Who needs toys when you can just imagine?

Sno Mountain

My family never skied. It was just a sport we didn't do and none of my friends growing up did it. I have thought about taking a lesson but have always been a bit fearful. If I get hurt, who is taking care of these kids? haha
John Budd came home with Becky for a weekend visit and I asked him to give Jake a ski lesson. He was super excited but there was a catch, my sister and I had to come too! With only a few instructions, we walked half way up the bunny hill and he sent us on our way! After a few tries we were ready for the lift to the top of the bunny hill! It was a beautiful sunny day and we had a great time. I think with a few more practices we may be ready for a bigger hill! Now we have to get Lee on skis!

Kiddos

Everytime we have Jake, Lindsey and my nephew Sam together we try to get a picture of them. Lindsey actually cooperated this time and we got a few snapshots in!

Almost Forgot About the Sunshine!

We are still in winter weather so it was easy to forget that on Friday, it was almost 70 degrees outside in PA! We took full advantage of being outside after we arrived. Lindsey was happy walking all over and Jake was thrilled to play in the mud!

Bathing Beauty

Thank goodness I have had 2 children that love their baths!

Bowling and Icing

What is better than a cold windy day? Bowling and Yummy Treats! That is just what we did on Saturday at my parents house in PA. The boys and adults went bowling then I made pavlova for dessert! Lindsey had no problem tasting it for me!

Do you want ICE with that?

I took these pictures Monday morning. One shows pretty much a pile of ice from the roof and the other shows a HUGE piece of ice, about 5' long that fell off! Ice Be Gone!!

Sibling Love...It's the Best

Kisses!!



There are many kinds of love--but a love between siblings is extra special. We see it with our own siblings and we see it in our children. Jake and Lindsey definitely have a special bond and I love watching them together! Here are some snapshots on Valentine's Day!

Love

All you need is love..

Love lifts you up...

Love is a splendid thing...

Love makes the world go round!

It has been a long year and it is almost over but I couldn't have made it alone. I had lots of LOVE from family and friends! Love really is an amazing thing. Whether it is from a spouse, child, sibling, parent, friend, or even a dog (maybe not Sugar)! Thank you to ALL of my family and friends who have helped me in anyway this past year: my parents, sisters, in-laws, the Charltons, Sweets, Voss's, Hillerman's, my dear children, etc etc!! I couldn't have done it without you! We love all of you!!
Happy Valentine's Day--spread the love!! Pay it forward!

Thank you a Million!!

For the past few weeks I have been trying to rake the snow off my roofs. I would stare at them and think, some snow is off and Lee will be home soon to get the ice off soon. However, as the weeks passed the ice seemed to get thicker and the snow piles grew larger. I just couldn't keep up. Tonight it all came to a halt when the bubble in my kitchen ceiling appeared. In the last couple weeks I kept thinking, maybe I will call Rod, I bet if anyone would come, he would come help me, he is Mr Woodsman/Mr Snow himself. However, being stubborn and not wanting to ask for help, I didn't. Tonight, when I was having a meltdown in my kitchen, watching the walls start to bubble I got a text from Jen. I called her back and within 10 mins Rod was at my house. It took about 2 hours but he cleaned off every roof of our house. He was chopping and I was pulling with the rake as much as I could. I knew I didn't have the strength to break up the ice, it was at least 6in thick, at least. He never complained and didn't even hesitate to clean off not just the kitchen roof, but ALL of them! He is a true friend and I couldn't be more thankful for what he did! We owe you big!

You're Amazing

The kids and I were upstairs trying to get ready for church today when I heard banging on the door! I had no idea who it was and ran down to see. Much to my surprise it was the delivery man from Gray's Flowers. I really was shocked, I didn't expect anything from Lee. The only thing I wanted for V-day is my husband home safely. Thank you so much for the flowers! They made my day/week/month!!
Lee--you are my one and only Valentine. You have been for the last 14 years and hold the key to my heart. Thank you for loving me unconditionally! I can't wait to have you home! I love you, always will!

A Trip to Belgium

I introduced the kids to Belgium waffles today. Personally, I was getting a little tired of making chocolate chip pancakes every weekend. I remember a few weeks ago that we had a waffle maker and they love waffles. Last night I whipped up some whip cream and bought 2 cartons of strawberries that were on sale! I am always leery of strawberries in winter, but they are soo sweet! They loved the waffles and I loved making something new!

Ready to Go

Anytime we are leaving the house I tell the kids to get the coats, hats and shoes on. Lindsey knows exactly what that means. She gets her coat, attempts to get her hat on, and sits down on the floor so I can put her shoes on. Yesterday I don't know where she thought we were going, but she put on Jake's coat, with a little help from me and put his hat on. It was super funny!
Thanks to the Sweets for a great Saturday of sledding, yummy lunch, playing, and chatting! Jake must have went down the sledding hill a dozen times with Annabelle. Lindsey and I went down about 4 times and she loved it too! They both took great naps and it was super fun! I wish I had brought my camera but I will next time!

Phobias

Everyone seems to be afraid of something. Although, I am not quite sure what my phobia is, maybe another deployment? In the past week I have discovered that Lindsey has a phobia. First it was the stick horse. When she would see it, she would shriek and run away, she wanted nothing to do with it. Then last night, the kids were in the tub. I gave them one of those scrubbies to play and wash with and the scrubbies had animal heads. She was completely freaked out and shrieked again! She is not fond of stuffed animals that she doesn't recognize either. We experimented with her after the bath. Mickey, Minnie, a dog, a cat, seem to be OK with her, but weird animals freak her out! It is soo funny!

A Little Bit

It seems like we have sooo much snow but in my 6 years experience in Watertown, I think every February is just the same, lots of snow! Jake definitely loves the snow and jumps at the chance to get outside. The sun was shining today (until now) and he took full advantage! He loves the "fort" where our guy plows the snow into one huge pile. He doesn't even need a sled, he slides down the pile of snow on his belly! And Princess is always there by his side, ready to play in the snow with him! I don't think the snow is ending anytime soon, but in a few short weeks I will have an extra helper to shovel and I am sooo ready!

3 to go!

We are holding steady and counting down..3 weeks to go! We aren't exactly sure the date yet, we just know it will be early March! We know it's close when Lee is starting to make his list of meals he wants to eat!
Yesterday about 10 girls from our batallion and I filled up 230 goodie bags for the single soldiers! Our first flight is due home Friday...when that plane lands I think it will hit me that one year is almost over!! In the meantime, we will keep busy, shovel snow (urrgghh), and get ready to welcome Lee home with open arms!

Just like Jake

When Jake was on his treasure hunt today, Lindsey was, of course, following him around. At one point she went behind him and reached for his necklace, almost choking him. Then she was patting his back and gave him a hug. Too funny!

Behind that smile...

Behind that smile is one devious, precious, cuddly, funny, and sneaky little girl!! Love you Lindsey!

Keeping Busy

Lindsey is the busiest child I know! She loves to color or at least think she is coloring. I love Color Wonder markers, they let her think she is coloring without ruining any walls or floor boards in our house. She also has become fond of the hockey stick...hmmmm..do I see another hockey player in our future? She really just wants to do everything Jake does and it is too cute! She keeps herself and me, very busy!!
PS..Both my children were horribly mismatched..they both had to change in to new pants after getting wet in the afternoon. One by snow and the other by lunch. I am not completely color blind although by the pictures you would never know!