Blessed is all I have to say

I figured since Valentines day is just around the corner, I'd post pictures from Christmas/New Year's. Hahahahaha!

Despite Rande not being able to join us, it was such a blessed Christmas and New Year. We loaded the car and drove home to Helena, spent some time with friends, Nana and Papa, Grandpa Howeth and "Kit-Kat Grandpa/Grandma". (They are called this by Christian and Ashlee because since they were little Grandma always has Kit-Kat's). We then headed to Missoula, and had Christmas with my Brother and his family, my parents, sister, and Grandparents (aka Kit-Kat Grandpa/Grandma).

Here are a few blessings I'd like to share:

One:
THE YOUNGI have to say that Tucker (my nephew) stole my heart. This was his first Christmas and I feel so honored to have spent it with him. Even though waking up to "bah bah bah BAHHHHH!" at 6 am (with only 6 hours of sleep) wouldn't be an ideal wake up call. It was music to my ears and very much welcomed when I saw his cute little face smile at me. I adore him!


Two:
THE YOUNG AT HEART

Watching MY Grandmother play with her great-grandchildren. She is 70 and as I watched her run and chase them, she seemed 20 years old to me. What a joy and blessing to have such vibrant, young grandparents that my children will remember for a lifetime.

Three:

LAUGHTER

My dad was another story. Dad can always make me laugh, even when I'm mad, sad, being stubborn, etc. We went sledding at Lolo pass, when my dad; thinking he was 20 still, flew down a steep hill and into the air landing on his tail bone. You may think I am cruel for laughing, but it was funny to watch from above. Thank you dad for always keeping it interesting, I love you!

Four:
CELEBRATING LIFE

Last Christmas my mother-in-law was very sick. She was going through chemotherapy, and could hardly get up out of her chair, and eat with us. This year it was a huge blessing and brought happiness to my heart watching her play with the kids, decorate cookies, and be herself again. We love her so much and are so grateful she is here enjoying life with us all. We love you Nana!

Five:

OLD FRIENDS

I always enjoy seeing our friends back home. Even though we may not contact each other daily over the phone like we use to, we always pick up where we left off as if nothing has changed. This year I was able to see a friend of mine, whom I haven't seen since high school. We were good friends back then and lost contact. However, thanks to facebook - we were able to reconnect again. It's like nothing has changed, even after children, husbands, and distance, we are still the best of friends...and those are true friendships that last a lifetime.

Six:

TECHNOLOGY AND MY HUSBANDRande is thousands of miles away, in a land that has very few advances into the current world of technology that we all live in. But, thank you to the Army and civilian contractors who worked so hard setting up computers, etc. we were able to "be together on Christmas day". He watched us open presents, and it was almost as if he was "really there". I am forever grateful for the men/women who work very hard to set up communication in some of the worst terrain. Communication with my husband is vital for the soldier and his family.

I hope you enjoyed hearing of the blessings that surrounded me over the holidays. I hope you were blessed as well.

Celebrating the New Year!!! And it snowed!

Ashlee's 5 year pictures

Tomorrow is Ashlee's Birthday. My BABY is going to be 5! I can't believe it. We had her pictures done today, what a ham she was.

The code is my first and last name.

https://www.smilesbywire.com/home.asp?AC=LTPP0100121900JCP

Christian's 2nd grade pictures

Christian had his 2nd grade pictures taken yesterday at JCPennys. They turned out really good, and thought I'd share them with you.

Copy and past this link, and enter my first and last name under customer name

https://www.smilesbywire.com/home.asp?AC=LTPP0100121751JCP

Just like Mommy

About 3 weeks ago or so, Ashlee told me she wanted her hair cut "just like yours mommy". I was really shocked! In the past she has cried over the thought of even trimming her hair. I've only cut her hair once since she was born (well more than an inch). I figured this was a phase and she would change her mind. Every night after/during shower, "mommy when are you going to cut my hair? I want it just like yours?" So last night, I see in the garbage can a patch of blonde hair. It wasn't Barbie's either. Here is how the conversation went;

Mommy: "Ashlee! did you cut your hair?!"

Ashlee: "yes", quietly

Mommy: "Why?"

Ashlee: "because you won't cut my hair and I want it just like yours"

So what do I do? Call my hairstylist Sam and make an appointment! So today, she got her hair cut like a big girl. She looked so grown up in the chair, and mommy shed a tear or two. We decided that her hair was going to be donated to Locks of Love. So here she is sporting her new do and holding what was once.....oh I just can't talk about it. (sniff, sniff) :) She looks really cute though I must say.

Very happy to be giving her hair to Locks of Love

Front side

Backside ( I have to do a double take when I see her from the back. It looks just like a mini me )

The other night I was upstairs getting Ashlee ready for bed. I came down and this is what I saw in the kitchen. My big boy helping me out. He said he wanted to help me out, and let me rest. What a sweet and precious boy.

Oh side note: 2 funny stories from his teacher at school.

Story 1: (set up) His teacher has pictures of her husband and 3 boys on her desk. Mrs. McIntosh is Korean I think. She married an African American.

Christian: "is that your husband Mrs. McIntosh?"

Mrs. McIntosh: "yes it is"

Christian: "he looks like my dad but my dad has peach skin"

Story 2: It was cold in their classroom today and I guess Mrs. McIntosh was rubbing her arms because she was cold. Christian came over to her, took his coat off and put it around her. "here Mrs. McIntosh, I was hot anyways".

Bridzilla and Captain Rex

Mommy gets a 'D' for Halloween, if we are grading. I bought the kids costumes early this year, however....we didn't try them on until the day of Halloween. Well I should take that back, Christian's didn't have any problems, but Ashlee's was a different story. So we run to Walmart ON HALLOWEEN, and return her costume (which was just beautiful by the way) and all they had left was a bride. :( She loved it though, and was so sweet about the whole thing. I felt like the worse mom, I should have had her try it on earlier, but what's done is done.

My friend Tara was invited by her friend to go up to Federal Way to her sister's house (are you following me here?). They had a great party for the kids, games, food, more food, kids to play with, and of course candy. To top the night off, we all went trick or treating with a big whoopee cushion leading the pack. The kids didn't get as much candy and they have in the past here on post. But that was fine with me :) In fact they only picked out a few pieces of candy to keep for themselves. The rest went in a box to Afghanistan for daddy and the other soldiers. They had a great time at the party, it was a first for them.

I call her Bridezilla, but she was a sweet bride

Captain Rex!

Every year at Evergreen Elementary, the school chooses to do a literature parade for Halloween. I love the idea! The kids dress up as a character from a book (preferably their favorite book). This year Christian wanted to dress up as...Captain Rex - his Halloween costume. It was very cute to see all the different costumes, and imaginations at work. Here are a couple pictures I was able to take.

Article worth Reading

Here is an article on the 7 soldiers we lost last week, as well as 1 from our sister battalion.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE59T12H20091030

The article is well written, but not easy to read. My heart goes out to these soldiers who have to carry on with their missions after losing one or several of their own. But that's why we cover them with prayer, not only their physical protection - but mental, and emotional.

I spoke with Rande after this incident, and he was shaken up a bit. It "hit close to home" in his words, but overall he's doing well. He would like to say a big THANK YOU to all of you who have sent packages to him. (Grandma/Grandpa Vimpany, Dave/Debbie, LeRoy/Carolyn, Unlce Phil, Aunt Patti, DA Davidson, CFRBC - that was a big surprise to him)

Please continue to pray for 1-17 Infantry Battalion as well as their families. Since we deployed in July - we have lost 19 just from our battalion. It has been a difficult mission, deployment, but I know that by the power of GOD we will succeed.