2 down and 1 to go!

Patrick has officially been gone for 8 weeks. It has been a very long two months. I am so ready to see him and give him a great big hug. I can't believe we have 33 days left to go. Charles and Meredith start a count down tomorrow until we go get daddy. I can't wait to post a picture of them tearing up the count down footprints. Please continue to pray for Patrick and all the men and women recruits. This week is team week for Patrick.

Happy 1st Birthday

Today is our sweet little girl's first birthday. It is so hard to believe it has been a year since she came into our family. Her smile just melts your heart. She has learned so many things recently. She pulls up on her own, can say hey, hi, mama, daddy, thanks, and uh oh. No one can make her laugh like her big brother. We just love her so much and are so happy that God picked us to be her mommy and daddy. This past Saturday we had a very tiny birthday party for our little princess.

My Hearts

I hope you all have a very happy day! My heart day I spent loving on my babies. My son was so proud of the gifts he picked out for me: A card, Dove chocolates, and flowers. It will be about 6 more weeks until I see my sweetie. He appreciates all your letters and prayers. 

Phase One

Yahoo! Phase 1 down and roughly 8 weeks to go! I am very proud to report that Patrick has passed his swim qualification portion of Marine boot camp. He has some very busy weeks ahead and I personally would not want to be in his shoes or boots right now. All I can say is that I am so very proud of all he has accomplished to get where he is and all that he is doing right now. I am truly having to take the verse "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind and lean not on your own understanding." Every time I start worrying or miss him I lift him or whatever is bothering me to Jesus.
Charles is just growing and learning new things. It took about 6 months but I am happy to say Charles is potty trained. He is riding his tricycle very well now. He is a little sweetie and makes us all laugh. This past Wednesday night at the end of Awana right before we left he told me wait mommy. I said okay. He ran to this cute little girl in his class and hugged her and whispered in her ear I love you. We have a little Romeo on our hands.
Meredith is just crawling everywhere and trying to pull up. She is growing up way too fast. She is my very serious little baby. Right now she enjoys playing with all her toys and her brother's toys. Her top teeth have finally cut the gum. She does not like to hear no. She will primp up and start crying every single time.
I guess that is all for now. Thanks for all your prayers and support of our family. If you have spent time writing Patrick we really appreciate it!

Husband Update

Praise Jesus Patrick is almost finished with phase one at boot camp. That means he has been away for 4 weeks at this point if you include receiving week. I am going to be honest here. I am not going to say oh all is just a bed of roses because it has been very challenging at times. I will say though that it is great to have family and friends to help the time pass by. Also, having support groups on Facebook with other people that are going through the same thing has helped more than anyone could imagine. For instance I have gotten to see 4 pictures of Patrick through these groups, and since he does not have time to write home very much those  pictures are a treasure. I look at them daily and throughout the day. Patrick says keep the letters coming they really lift his spirits and it is the only contact he has to the outside world. So, I would like to thank each and every person that has taken time out of their busy lives to write him. He just really started getting a lot of the letters around January 25. He said it made him feel good, but he hasn't had a chance to read all of them yet. Please know that if you write him he would love to write you back but it may take awhile. If you all would say extra prayers for him and all the recruits at Parris Island it would be greatly appreciated. Many are sick with coughs and pink eye including Patrick.

Greenville Zoo with Auntie M

We went to the zoo while visiting Auntie M. The kids enjoyed looking at all the animals even though it was a little chilly outside. We forgot the stroller so we took turns holding Meredith.

Auntie M, Charles, and Meredith

Checking out the Eastern Spotted Turtle

A real life Geoffrey. Charles will not go down for naps or bedtime without his stuffed giraffe that we call Geoffrey.

Enjoying the zoo with Mommy

Sweet Girl

Pot Bellied Pig's Lunchtime.

The zookeeper allowed Charles to feed the pig his lunch. He had so much fun!
 

Week One

Our little family is doing well. I am awaiting our first letter from Patrick. I can't wait to hear from him. Plus I just plain can't wait to send him a letter. I already feel like my first letter is too long to hand write at this point. I am keeping a journal so that I don't forgot anything that I want to tell him. Last night I purchased a NIV Trimline Bible to send him. I know he wanted to purchase one before leaving but just ran out of time. So his first letter he will get a present too. The only thing I can send him is a Bible, but I plan on double checking before I send it just to make sure.
While we wait and look forward to seeing Patrick we are enjoying spending time with family and friends. If any of you would like to spend time or hang out with us to help make this time go by a little faster just let me know. One week down and twelve to go.

Busy Bee

    The past two days I have been taking care of odds and ends. I have been on the phone with companies, banks, and insurance until I am ready to scream. All are just fine with no problems thank goodness. I have deactivated Patrick's cell while he is gone, so if you need something message or call me.
    Charles is enjoying reading books and playing with his Track Master Thomas the Tank Engine trains and track. He especially likes it when they crash into each other. Meredith is crawling and getting into whatever she can. We have had to move magazines, toys that she is to little for, and various other things. They both are enjoying bathing in Nina's and G-Pop's big tub. Today we went to the library. I now have a Pines library card again and can get books I want pretty much all over the state! Yahoo!!!! Charles really liked the library up here, but he has always loved going to the library. He loves books which makes this mommy very happy. We also got to chat with Mel, Jeff, and Will for a little while today. It was so nice to get to chat with them.  The kids are doing really well.
  I am doing much better. I had a hard time the morning and day we dropped Patrick off, but getting to chat that night online with him helped me out a lot. I know I will have my moments still, but today no tears. I know Patrick will do well and that he has arrived safely at Parris Island. Continue to pray for his health and safety. We would also appreciate prayers for our whole family while we are apart.

Drop Off

This morning at 10:15 we dropped Patrick off for boot camp. He will be traveling from Dalton, GA to Knoxville, TN today, and tomorrow will go from Knoxville to Parris Island to begin this new journey. Goodbyes were very difficult all around. I know the kids don't really understand yet, but that will come I'm sure especially with Charles. The first thing he asked when we came back without Patrick was "were is daddy"?We would really appreciate your prayers for Patrick and our family. Life sure is going to be different for the next 13 weeks. The count down to April 3 will begin as soon as I get my short phone call saying he is at boot.

Ringing in the New Year

Charles rang in the New Year camping out with G-Pop. He was so excited about camping in the tent inside. He camped so well that he got to make mini muffins with Nina this morning.He ate 11 of them! Camping must have made him very hungry. Patrick and I went out for a very nice supper at Brasstown Valley Resort. It was delicious and it was so much fun having a nice date night before he heads to boot on January 5th.

Hello All

     It has been a very long time since I have been able to sit down and blog. We have had a crazy couple of months. Patrick's waivers all passed for the Marines, so he handed in his letter of resignation at Carroll Community Schools. Then we had to start packing up all our belongs to move south. During the past months I was also working as a full time long term substitute grading, planning, and teaching from the last week in September until the day we left Iowa on December 16. Add in a 3 year old and an infant into the mix and you have your hands full.
    The kids and I will be either with my parents or Patrick's parents while he is in boot camp from roughly January 5 until mid May.We would appreciate all your prayers for our family. Some specific prayer requests: Our family being separated during this time and for Patrick to be healthy and strong with no injuries from now throughout his training.
     We are extremely happy about this new adventure and being closer to family. Know that we will miss all the great friendships we made while in Carroll. We hope each of you will keep in touch and up to date on the going ons of your family.
    I plan on keeping this blog more up to date in the coming year. I want to keep a journal of such while Patrick is in training and away. I think it will therapeutic for me in the long weeks ahead.

Pumpkin Patch

We enjoyed our annual trip to the pumpkin patch. Enjoy pictures of our little adventure.

August in Review

I can barely believe that August is almost over. It has been an extremely busy and fun month. Charles turned 3 years old on the 10th. It is hard to believe my little guy is so big. He is doing a great job potty training. We started the training in July and it has been trying at times, but we are proud of how he is doing.He is growing and learning something new each day.
 We traveled to Georgia after Patrick finished band camp on August 2, and visited family and a few friends the week of August 3rd-10th. Charles got to have a small family birthday party at each set of grandparents' house. Thomas themed of course. He is train mad and can tell you all the Thomas the Train characters. Meredith enjoyed her time in Georgia but hated the car ride, and boy did she ever let us know how she felt! She graduated to a bigger car seat and enjoys it a little more. Meredith also experienced a half birthday. My baby girl is now 6 months old.  She is babbling, grabbing toys, and trying to sit up. Her smile brightens our days.
Patrick is now back at school, but I need to brag on him he has been working out and eating well. He has dropped over 35 pounds and looks GREAT!!!
We are also very happy for our friends Matt and Erika they also became parents to a beautiful baby girl on August 5th! We have been praying for this precious sweet blessing for over 4 years!

1st things

These past few weeks have held a few firsts for my little ones.
1. Meredith went to the pool for the first time ever and really liked it. She really enjoyed kicking her little feet in the water.(7/13/14)
2. Charles got his first buzz cut. He keeps saying my hair is just like Daddy's. I must say I love it too because it is so much easier to control.(7/18/14)
3. We took Charles to his first movie at the theater this past Sunday. We went to see Planes Fire & Rescue. He loved it!!! When the screen came on for the first time he said WOW! He sat quietly for the whole movie and just took it all in, and I must say it was a priceless experience for me to get to see the movie with him. (7/20/14)
4. Meredith had her first ever rice cereal on Sunday too. She liked it so much better than Charles ever did, and yesterday when it was all gone she fussed for more!(7/20/14)

Peanut Peanut Butter

Charles had his first ever peanut butter sandwich last night for supper.In all my mommy wisdom I thought just make him a half sandwich to see if he likes it. Who was I kidding. The kid loved it and refused to eat anything else except another half of peanut butter sandwich. The second half we added banana and he was one of the happiest kids ever. 

We also made it a special meal by making it be a picnic supper. Charles gave the meal a thumbs up reward.

Beat the Heat with a Good Book

It is hot out and nothing is better than a good book to curl up with inside to beat the heat, or to enjoy by the ocean or pool. Here is a list of books I have enjoyed reading so far this year:

Christian Fiction Books:
 Lynette Eason book 3 A Killer Among Us (Present Day)
 Mary Connealy Books I would recommend reading in this order: (books are post civil war)
1. Montana Rose
2. The Husband Tree
3. Wildflower Bride
4. Petticoat Ranch
5. Calico Canyon
6. Gingham Mountain
7. Doctor in Petticoats
8. Wrangler in Petticoats
9. Sharpshooter in Petticoats    *The books all tie together but are 3 different series.
New Series same author: (post civil war)
1. Swept Away
2. Fired Up
3. Stuck Together ( I am about to start this one.)
Kristen Heitzmann book 1 Secrets. I need to find the rest of this series!!! The first book is great and is free on Kindle. (present day)
Novella: A Match Made in Texas authors Mary Connealy, Karen Whitemeyer, Carol Cox, & Regina Jennings (historical fiction)
Janice Thompson
Book # 3 Dream Dress (Weddings by Design Series) *present day setting/all her books are great
***book 4 Bouquet of Love is coming out in August!!!

Young Adult Fiction:
Veronica Roth
1. Divergent
2. Insurgent
3. Allegiant

** Books on deck:
1. Stuck Together book 3 by Mary Connealy (starting it tonight).
2. Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer (this book just came out).
3. When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason

I would recommend all of these authors/books. If you have questions let me know.

Meredith's Baby Dedication

Meredith you are a precious gift from God. We are so happy God decided to place you in our care. You have great things in store for you little one. We look forward to watching you grow and change. Our prayer is that through our example that you will desire a relationship with Jesus, that you follow your dreams, and work hard at all you do. May all your family, church, and friends lead you in the direction you need  to go.  

Today we dedicated Meredith. This was not a baptism. It was an outward expression of how we would like to raise our daughter, and we ask that you all help us in this very important venture for it is the most important job ever. 

Bad Blogger

I keep thinking hey I need to blog, but then I look at the pile of laundry or dishes and think no I have too much to do. Then I am needed to be mommy to two precious babies and I think the blog is not as important as they are. I love them more than I can put into words, and they will only be little once. Although I do love to look back and see what all our family has done or been through, so I will continue to blog but I will choose to take breaks and not beat myself up for not keeping it updated. Bear with me as I get used to being a mommy to two. You will notice when I get better at juggling everything because I will post more often.

Updates on us:

Patrick- Is finishing up the school year and is extremely busy getting everything done.
Me- Adjusting to life as a mommy of two.
Charles- He amazes me with how creative he is. I love listening to him play with his toys. He is a little social butterfly and loves people. He enjoys church and is probably the youngest greeter ever. He has a special ability to make people feel special and I love watching as that special gift grows within him.
Meredith- Is growing so fast. I can't believe she will be 3 months on the 24th. It seem like yesterday that I should be posting about her at 2 months. She loves being held and talked too. She will coo and smile when talked to. She is beginning to learn how to hold on to things like her paci and rattle. She found her thumb, but we are encouraging the paci as much as we can. She does not like tummy time at all.

Creative Lunch

As we all know Charles is really into trains, so today I decided to get creative with his lunch. We have a train cut out, but as you can see when you use it they look more like steam boats. So, today I tried to make them look like steam engines with banana wheels, and strawberries and raisins for steam. The best part is that this lunch is mostly healthy!
Meal: Grilled Cheese (whole wheat bread, slice of cheese) Unhealthy part the butter.
Fruit: Strawberries, raisins, and banana.
Drink: Milk
How long it took me: less than 10 minutes
Charles reaction: Very happy and excited! The plus is that he cleaned his plate!!!

Recent Readings

I know I am late on reading this wonderful series, but I am so glad I decided to give them a chance. They are great and kept my attention the whole way through. Divergent is by far my favorite of the series, but the other two were very good. I wish the Allegiant would have ended a little differently. 

Book 1

Book 2

Book 3

To find out which faction you would most likely belong to take the quiz.