Bring it on 2010!!

Everyone is doing great and we are loving KS being home, and so sad to see him go in the next couple of days. My Christmas posts will be up next week so until then here is my New Years post.

2009 was a great year, a year full of surprises and life changing decisions. In 2009 we celebrated our 27th, 24th, 6th, 4th, and 1st birthdays. We became an Army family and we learned that we are all a lot stronger than we thought we could be. We had our first ER trip, thank goodness it took us 6 years to have one! Overall it was a wonderful year everyone was healthy and KS and I's marriage became stronger with every passing day.

2010 will bring so many changes for our family KS will be gone for months. We will have his BCT graduation, his AIT graduation, and hopefully his Airborne graduation. Then we will PCS (permanent change of duty station) for the first time to who knows where. I cannot wait to see where the Army takes us in 2010. Colin will be starting sports for the first time and Kiale will be graduating kindergarten and starting 1st grade in an unknown school. Colin will be finishing up K-4 and starting Kindergarten. Our precious Cayleigh-Grace will be blossoming and growing into a full fledged toddler and 2 year old. My husband and I will be celebrating our 9 year anniversary of being together and our 7 year wedding anniversary. I am not one to do New Year resolutions but I am one to set goals to accomplish throughout the year so here they are, in no particular order.

Finish the 3 quilts I have started.
Finish Holly's duvet cover in time for her birthday on the 17th.
Start and finish Dixie's Apron and throw blanket so I can give it to her on her birthday.
Start and complete Mom & Dad's, Alanna, Dezi, Lindsay & John, and Cammie's quilts by Easter so I can give them to them then.
Make the duvet cover for my bed.
Make new throw pillows for the living room.
Start some sort of Bible study and actually keep up with it.
Get the house 100% ready to sell or rent when we move.
Purge all the stuff that is sitting in the garage (anyone want some FREE furniture?)
Landscape the yard.
Get out of debt as much as possible, if we sell our house get 100% out of debt.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe New Year, have fun and God bless!

Santa Pictures

2005

2006
2007
2008
2009

A Soldiers Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.

My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My child beside me, angelic in rest.

Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.

The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.

In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.

The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.

Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.

My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.

A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps in the Army, huddled here in the cold.

Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!

Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!"

For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice.

I'm here every night."
"It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.

My Gramps died at 'Pearl on a day in December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers."

My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.

Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.

I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.

I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..

Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

"So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right."

"But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
"Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast?

It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.

To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.

For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.

Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us."

The Wives Who Wait

The Wives Who Wait

Twas the night before Christmas
And there all alone
I saw a young woman
Who sat by the phone

For what was she waiting
On this holiday night
Where were the stockings
Christmas tree, lights?

I saw one little tear
As it rolled down her face
And she curled up in a blanket
Then looked round the place

Something was missing
Someone not here
In her face I saw sadness
Did I also see fear?

I paused and I wondered
What could it be?
That would cause a young woman
To look so lonely

How could anyone so precious
Choose such a life?
Then I realized this woman
Was a soldiers wife.

Her gift for this Christmas
Is to hear that phone ring
“Hey baby, I miss you
Don’t worry about a thing”

Each day I thank God for the soldiers that serve
Ever willing to fight and lay down his life
But how often do I ever remember think
About the young woman who is that soldier's wife

Thank you God for these women
They are just as strong
They sacrifice daily
And without help get along

So God please protect our soldiers
On this holiday eve so late
And give an extra hug
To their wives who wait

(written by Jeannie Lining, my mom, during OEF deployment 2008)

Christmas Past

Here is a glimpse of our Christmas's past, I would like to wish you all a wonderful and Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008

A Soldier's Christmas

A Soldier's Christmas

"TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
HE LIVED ALL ALONE,
IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF
PLASTER AND STONE.

I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY
WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,
AND TO SEE JUST WHO
IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.

I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,
A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,
NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,
NOT EVEN A TREE.

NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,
JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,
ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES
OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.

WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,
AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,
A SOBER THOUGHT
CAME THROUGH MY MIND.

FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,
IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,
I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,
ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.

THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,
SILENT, ALONE,
CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR
IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.

THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,
THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,
NOT HOW I PICTURED
A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.

WAS THIS THE HERO
OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?
CURLED UP ON A PONCHO,
THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES
THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,
OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS
WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.

SOON ROUND THE WORLD,
THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,
AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE
A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.

THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM
EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,
BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,
LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.

I COULDN'T HELP WONDER
HOW MANY LAY ALONE,
ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE
IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.

THE VERY THOUGHT
BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,
I DROPPED TO MY KNEES
AND STARTED TO CRY.

THE SOLDIER AWAKENED
AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,
'SANTA DON'T CRY,
THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;

I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,
I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,
MY LIFE IS MY GOD,
MY! COUNTRY, MY CORPS.'

THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER
AND DRIFTED TO SLEEP,
I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,
I CONTINUED TO WEEP.

I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,
SO SILENT AND STILL
AND WE BOTH SHIVERED
FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE
ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,
THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR
SO WILLING TO FIGHT.

THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,
WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,
WHISPERED, 'CARRY ON SANTA,
IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE.'

ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH,
AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.
'MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND,
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT"

-Army Wife Network

Home Safe

I just wanted to let everyone know that we are all home safe and KS is back in our arms again. I will update once I get a chance and whenever KS is sleeping. I want to spend every possible minute I can with him while he is home.

Cayleigh-Grace 15 Months

Cayleigh-Grace's Christmas Tree

We finally got paid!! I was so happy to see my bank account this morning, and since we finally got paid I was able to get Cayleigh-Grace her Christmas Tree. She was so cute putting her ornaments on it. She loves her new tree! I was planning on putting it on top of her dresser until I tried to and then realized that it was too tall. So instead it is going on her changing table. I am just going to have to change her on her toddler bed until after Christmas. I had bought some silver beads to go around it as garland but I didn't buy enough. So more beads and a topper are on my list of things to get for her, they didn't have any cute toppers at Walmart. I might just go and get a bow from Michael's like I did for my tree and for the kids school tree. Yes my daughter is in spaghetti straps and a skort, its 80 degrees today and hot as ever. I have a feeling its going to be another 85 degree Christmas again.

Days and soon hours

We are down to days and soon hours until I leave to go and pick KS up for Christmas Exodus. I am so thrilled and excited to be able to go and pick my husband up. The kids and I miss him so much. Colin has been having a rough couple of days and I have even had two of his teachers tell me about how much he is missing his Daddy. Kiale doesn't seem to be phased with KS being gone, but I think that is because he handles things like his Daddy does. The next couple of days will be spent cleaning, and I'm talking the deep scrubbing that leaves your back killing you by the end of the day type of cleaning. So that when KS returns all I will have to do is the usual dishes and clothes. I am so excited about picking him up and finally seeing him in his ACUs, and just finally seeing him again in general. I cannot believe that it has been a month since I last fixed my eyes on my husband. Thank goodness time flies when you have 3 kids that need to be taken care of and driven around.

In need of Prayer

I know the Duggar family can be a very controversial topic, but Kiale and I adore them. I am so deeply saddened to hear this morning that their 19th baby Josie was born last night weighing 1lb 6 oz. Please keep this entire family in your prayers, and pray that this baby is strong enough to pull though this. My heart is breaking for this family. She wasn't even due until spring.

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20325363,00.html

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20326622,00.html

Be what you want to be,

Dream what you want to dream;
Go where you want to go;
Be what you want to be,
Because you have only one life
And one chance to do all the things
You want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
Enough trials to make you strong,
Enough sorrow to keep you human and
Enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily
Have the best of everything;
They just make the most of
Everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always
Be based on a forgotten past;
You can't go forward in life until
You let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying
And everyone around you was smiling
Live your life so at the end
You are the one who is smiling and everyone
Around you is crying.
~ Anonymous

5 @ 1 = 100

What in the heck does the title mean right? Well it means that when KS gets 5 letters at one time he has to do 100 pushups to get them. The first letter is free then he has to do 10 for the 2nd one, 20 for the 3rd one, 30 for the 4th one, and 40 for the 5th one. Well at least he cant say that we don't love him and we never write him! I am so thankful, I got a 45 minute call from my man tonight!!! He is doing so good, and seems to be really happy. He knee is "still there" which means that it is still bothering him, so please keep the prayers coming. He also told me that he failed his hearing test so he has to go to the hearing doctor after AIT... and he always tells me I'm the one that is hard of hearing, tisk, tisk, tisk... He said that it really isn't that hard and that he is enjoying himself. I am so happy to hear that he really is happy, I have been so worried that he was hating it, but he really seems to be loving it. They have already had four people accidentally discharge their weapons, for some reason they cannot figure out how to work the safety button. Those people have to write a 500 word essay to their buddies family saying they were sorry they "killed" there son/husband/whatever. Thankfully the guns only have blanks in them. So no one has gotten hurt, but the potential is there. They need to be fully aware of the weapons that they are carrying and the safety practices that need to go along with those weapons. KS will be participating in the Gas Chamber tomorrow, I told him DO NOT DRINK THE MILK, if he was to drink it it would have curdled in his stomach do to the gas mixing in with it. Nasty I know. I am so excited about picking him up in a little over a week. I will be getting a hotel Tuesday night on post and then picking him up Wednesday morning. He wants to go and look around town and see what all is there after I pick him up so it is going to be a nice day. Although any day with my husband is a wonderful day. He knows all of the husbands whose wives I am friends with. I have a feeling that our new Army Family is going to be wonderful as well as huge! He is happy that there are lots of men there with families and wives back home. I don't think he was anticipating having so much in common with that many men. Like I said I am just so happy that he is happy with his decision, and that he is having fun doing it!

What SUVs Can Teach Us About Maternity Care

Please go and take the time to read this article written my Amy Romano for Science& Sensibility. You can find it HERE. It is a wonderful article comparing maternity care to SUV's and it will address many of the concerns woman face in maternity care and it answers them in a not so expected way.

15 Months & 1 Year

On December 3 Cayleigh-Grace celebrated her 15 month day on in honor of that... Happy belated 15 month day Cayleigh-Grace! You are becoming quite the little lady. You walk around the house with your hand right below your neck and you remind me of a Southern Belle saying " I do declare." You have figured out how to get out of your bath seat all by yourself, this has resulted in you falling in the tub. I guess you haven't figured out just how slippery it is yet. You love your babies more and more each day, and your lovie has gone from you BaBa Lamb and you pink blanket to your "Daddy Bear" and your pink blanket. You only nurse 3-4 times a day now and you are still in size 4 diapers. You have thined out so much and your looks are changing every day. You look like a little girl now and I am afraid that you have outgrown the "baby" and have replaced it with a precious little toddler who has captured all of our hearts. You say "Uh Oh," "Mama," "Dada," "Bubba," and something that is beginning t sound like puppy. You have also begun to say Bye Bye whenever you see a car drive by or someone leaving. You will come to me and drag me all over the house telling me who knows what. I have no clue what you are saying but you seem to be talking in full sentences in a language all your own. You have also tattled on your brothers for the first time, Colin wouldn't give you his cookie. Let me tell you, you told me ALL about it. Colin and I laughed... sorry girl. Thank you for choosing us to be your family Cayleigh-Grace, your presence in our lives has completed us and made us whole. You have beautiful strawberry blond hair that is coming in more and more each day, and I wonder if you will end up being a red head like your Meme was when she was young. I cannot wait until your Daddy gets home and sees just how much you have changed in these short 3 weeks he has been away. You are still wearing size 18 and 24 month clothes and I think you will be in those for quite a while, your growth spurts have seems to slow dramatically, although I know you have gotten taller since your Daddy left.

Our Zoe turned 1 on Dec. 3rd, Happy 1st Birthday Zoe!

10 Days & 12 Hours

10 days and 12 hours is all I have until my husband is in my arms again. I cannot wait until Christmas exodus. Kiale could not have picked a better time to enlist for our family. He will have the hardest part of basic training behind him when he leaves. It will give his body time to recuperate and heal during the two weeks that he will be home with us celebrating Christmas and the new year. Once he goes back we will have only six weeks until Family Day and Graduation. Then he will leave for AIT out west. I am hoping that we will be able to arrange a surprise trip during spring break to go and see him, a surprise for the boys that is. I am hoping to be able to make it to where we only go about 6 weeks without seeing him.

During the past three weeks I have realized how strong I really am, and I praise the Lord every day for that strength. It is through Him that I am able to stay strong for not only myself but for my children. They feed off of me and my emotions and I know that the stronger I stay the stronger they are able to be themselves. Our daughter carries around KS's picture wherever we go, as well as her "Daddy Bear." We have pictures of him in our vehicle so that no matter where we go he is always with us. I will hear his voice at the most random of times and each time the kids press the paws of their "Daddy Bears" my heart skips a beat. To hear his voice and know that I am unable to go to him is hard. Especially in the middle of the night when through Cayleigh-Grace's monitor I hear his voice reassuring her that he will see her soon and that he loves her so. My heart and my body yearns to be with him and in his arms again, just as theirs do as well. Through this short separation I have realized just how much of my life revolves around my husband. I have realized just how much I feed off of him for support, love, and guidance. I have also realized that I can do things on my own and I can survive this separation and any others we may experience in the future. In the end I will be a stronger woman and our love and devotion to each other will be better because of it.

2 Weeks and 2 Days Down, 2 Weeks and 1 Day to GO!

Can you believe it is December already? Today is a wonderful day, KS had been gone exactly 2 weeks and 2 days and it is exactly 2 weeks and 1 day until I get to pick him up! I am so excited about Christmas Exodus, KS will be home for two wonderful weeks. Once he heads back to BCT he will have completed Red Phase so he will be returning to an easier time and he will have got the worst of it behind him. Have I mentioned how proud I am of my husband lately? Not many people hear the call to serve and even fewer answer it with pride and willingness.

The kids and I already decorated the house on Sunday and for those of you who don't know me I am crazy about my Christmas tree. I have MY own tree that I decorate. The kids are not allowed to touch it. Sounds horrible I know but its not that bad, they have their own tree that they get to decorate. I also have a separate tree for all of their ornaments, b/c their school ornaments cant go on my tree (I know its bad...) There school tree is in the kitchen so I get to enjoy it and their special ornaments all throughout the day and I still get to enjoy MY tree (yes they will tell you "This is Mommy's tree") They don't care and in the end everyone is happy! Cayleigh-Grace will be getting her tree as soon as our paycheck gets deposited into our account on the 15th (fingers crossed). Hers will be pink and her ornaments are sitting on top of her dresser awaiting their tree. I will post pics of it once I get it and put it up.

My Tree
The Boys Tree
The School Tree
Why is it that Christmas tree pictures never do the trees any justice, they never look anywhere near as good as they do in person. If anyone knows how to take good Christmas tree pictures can you please lend me your secrets!! It would be GREATLY appreciated!