Welcome Home!

My apologies...Andy has been home for almost a week now, and I'm just getting around to posting pictures from his homecoming. Our FRO took a lot of pictures at the homecoming, and I've been waiting for her to email them to me, but she hasn't had time so I will just post the pictures that I do have.

It's been GREAT having Andy back. We're obviously still in a period of adjustment. Andy is catching up on sleep and learning how to have down time again. I'm trying to let go of control and accept help. But for the most part, things just kind of fell back into our same ol' routine. Hopefully this was our last deployment ever!

The morning of Nov. 21. The boys crossed off the final day on their countdown. Too bad they crossed it off at 7am, and Andy's plane didn't land until 9pm. I lost track of how many times they asked, "Can we go get Daddy now?!?!"

The boys with our banner at the base gate.

Our sidewalk.

Our house with another banner.

HE'S HERE!

Goodbye Friend :(

Today I received some devastating news. My wonderful cat of 14 1/2 years had to be put to sleep. I got Ocey in 1996 at Bible camp, and there has never been a more loving or more loved cat. I am really struggling with the loss of him, and I know my parents are too. He was such a good cat. Love you, Ocey.

Ocey and Ethan, February 2008

Please scroll down for more recent (and more uplifting) blog posts.

Happy Birthday Momo!

Happy Birthday Momo (Ethan and Jackson's Great Momo)!

We love you so much!

Nancy & Kal Kalweit. Two of the greatest people I know.

Gobble, Gobble

First of all, for those of you haven't heard, Andy is home! He arrived on Sunday night, and it has been wonderful to have him home. Tomorrow he goes back to work, but at least it's only for a day...not nine months! Other people took pictures at our reunion at the airport so once I receive the pictures, I'll be sure to post them on the blog.

Luckily, Andy made it home just in time for Ethan's Thanksgiving program at school. The kids dressed up as pilgrims and Indians. They sang songs, and all the families enjoyed a massive and delicious Thanksgiving meal.

Tube sock turkey.

My favorite pilgrim.

Ms. Straatveit's kindergarten class.

Aw, Ethan. Always so photogenic.

Side note: Ethan was one of only 26 kids to be named a Math All-Star for this quarter! We're so proud of you, Bud!

Return & Reunion

My apologies for not posting in a week. We have been busy preparing for...Andy's return! Our turn has finally come for our daddy/husband to come home from a very LOOOOONNNNG deployment. Last night we had our Return & Reunion Brief, and Andy is officially on his way home. In respect for OPSEC, I'll just say he'll be here in a few days (don't worry, I'll be sure to post when he's home). This weekend will be spent doing some tidying up around the house, mowing the lawn, and stocking the fridge with Andy's favorite foods and beverages.

On another note, Jackson is potty trained! We are on day 8 of no accidents, wearing undies all day, and even staying dry through naps! I'll dedicate a post to this exciting milestone soon. I'm just on a high right now that my husband is finally coming home!

Love and miss you, Andy. We can't wait to have you home!

Free Fallin'

Happy Veteran's Day!

There was no school so we hit up the park with our great neighbors (whose hubby is also deployed). We went to our favorite off-base park with the most awesome slides! I'm loving the beautiful Oki-Fall weather. Enjoy the pictures.

Ready, set, go!

Free fallin'!

This may seem like child abuse, but I swear he loves it. He begged to keep going again and again.

My favorite six year old!

Mommy and her baby.

Daddy countdown: 10 days!

Love and miss you Andy!

Big Man on Campus

Ethan's Kindergarten Photo: Fall 2010; 6 years old; Bechtel Elementary School; Okinawa, Japan

Cutest Kindergartener. Ever.

Andy...15 days! Love you.

"Rolly Slide" Park

The weather has been perfect lately. Low 70's, low humidity, and a gentle breeze. Perfect weather for a rolly slide park. The boys had so much fun together. They truly are best friends. I guess that's a good thing since friends will always come and go for these "military brats." At least they'll always have each other. Enjoy the pictures.

A quick pic at the top of the slide.

Woohoo!

I LOVE this picture!

No problem doing this slide all by himself.

He knows the drill: Say "cheese" whenever Mom pulls out the camera, which is all the time.

No trip to the park is complete without a picnic lunch with bear sandwiches.

Love and miss you Andy (19 days!)!