Happy Birthday Molly!!

One of our very first friends in Whidbey was a good looking guy named Kenny. I loved Kenny before I met him because he came and took photos of the house I would be living in (but had never seen) and sent them to us before we got here. Yeah, he really knows how to please the ladies. (Kenny if your reading this I know Molly isn't allowed to write sweet nothings about you on her blog, but you've got no control over what my little fingers can type!) So anyway, ever since I met Kenny I was eagerly anticipating meeting his fiance Molly. When she finally arrived I knew we'd be fast friends. The military is a strange bird. It has a way of separating you from family, friends and all things familiar and dropping you smack dab in the middle of no where. So THANK GOODNESS for good friends who become much like family. Truth be told that is what Kenny and Molly have become for us. So, today is a very special day because it is Molly's 25th birthday, yes she quite the youngster, and tonight we had a little fiesta to celebrate her! She is one special person. And even though we missed all of our men there was fun, smiles and MEXICAN food to be had!!

25 BIG one's!

And just to show of our crazy sides we let Molly go to town on a pinata...yeah, we know how to get wild around here. These are for you Kenny...

No really, I insist!

I've been meaning to share my latest "find". I have a vintage modern artist that I totally love! Her name is Jenn Ski and she does some really cool stuff! I was tickled pink when I was in a Michael's recently and ran across an end cap devoted to a new line she created for them. It called Actopus to Zelephant and it is great! I was in a hurry and just grabbed the stickers but kept thinking how cool it would be if they came a little larger so that I could use them on a wall...L I B they do!! A little further searching produced these...


5x7 flashcards that are a part of the line and perfect for the wall! They found a new home on a lonely stretch of space between Carter's room and our office/guest room. I love it and now she can practice her ABC's anytime she gets the urge...

Next time you're in a Michael's check her out! If anything for 6 bucks they make a great gift!

p.s. Check out my Mom's 100th post Give-A-Way!

Prayers for Coop

Anyone who knows anything about Carter knows she'd be lost without her good buddy Cooper! They've been friends through thick and thin since we moved here over two years ago. If those two are in the same place you can be assured they're together. So, Coop gave us all quite a scare yesterday. Long story short he was airlifted from our little clinic here to Seattle Children's Hospital where he is recovering from Epiglottitis in their ICU. Carter said her own prayers for her sweet friend last night and we'd love for you to join with us...we are hoping his body heals quickly and are so happy he is expected to make a full recovery! He's a tough little guy and quite the trooper! Get well soon Coop and hurry home...Carter misses you!!

We could use a little good news around here...

Saying goodbye to our favorite guy never gets any easier. It hurts just as much each time, but I think we are getting better at knowing how to deal with it. Experience with something (no matter what it is) will do that to a person. A few photos until we're together again...





And since this day always seems a little gloomy I thought I might share a little pick me up....

This past Saturday we were headed home from Seattle and decided to pick up some P.F. Chang's take out for dinner. We live quite the sheltered life and I jump at the chance for "real" take out food any time I can get it! So, while Nate paid for the goods I ran Carter to the restroom. We both did our business and then made our way out of the stall. As I glanced to my right I was shocked to see the back of my husband standing at a urinal. He glanced over his shoulder and I'm sure saw realization dawn all over my face. We didn't say a word to one another. The moment was doubly awkward because of the third party (a dude who worked there washing his hands). "So", he said, "You decided to use the Men's bathroom today?!" I was mortified, because these things mortify me, and we quickly made our way to the Women's bathroom to wash our hands. Nate was laughing as he waited for us. Apparently after we left he told the guy, "The funny thing is that's my wife and kid." How do you miss stuff like the BIG sign on the door that says...

Apparently it's not too hard when your hormones are raging and your brain is failing, which usually means one thing...

You're Pregnant!!! That's right folks....we're officially expecting around here. It's still really early (I'm only in my sixth week) but exciting none the less! It's been 3 and half years since I've seen two pink lines...and that in and of itself was pretty thrilling! So, we'll take all the prayers we can get for the newest little who we are hoping will make it's debut sometime next January! Good news always helps blow the clouds away don't you think?!

Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater

Well, in the latest twist of events Nate was delayed and is now leaving today. Welcome to our life! So, that means a little more time, a little more love, and a few more games of Candy Land. Just this very morning Carter "set things up" for them. Apparently she's a smart little cookie but she is also a little too proud of herself and spilled the beans. Here's how it went...

Hey, Daddy! Let's play Candy Land! I'm going to go first and I'm going to get the gumdrop! YIiPEe!! (For those of you who don't know the "gumdrop" gets you about halfway to the candy castle).

That little cheater cheater pumpkin eater had "arranged" the cards and placed the gumdrop nicely on top.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Goodbye.

Basically what today looks like. Breakfast, a little hang out, Lunch, a little more hang out time, Dinner and then goodbye. We'll kiss and hug Nate as we get ready to spend another couple of months of our lives apart. I guess you could say I've been denying it until now...choosing not to dwell or think on it. But, once it's upon you there isn't much choice. There will be tears (there always are) but there will also be perseverance and growth, those are a given as well. I was singing to Carter last night and found some encouragement in a song I know by heart (for those of you with kids Elizabeth Mitchell's music is a must) it's called So Glad I'm Here...

I'm so glad I'm here, I'm so glad I'm here, I'm so glad I'm here everyday...So glad I'm here, you know I'm so glad I'm here, so glad I'm here everyday.

You know joy brought me here, joy brought me here, joy brought me here, here today...Joy brought me here, joy brought me here, joy brought me here, here today.

You know love brought me here, love brought me here, love brought me here, here today...Love brought me here, love brought me here, love brought me here, here today.

I'm gonna' sing while I'm here, sing while I'm here, sing while I'm here, here today...Sing while I'm here, sing while I'm here, sing while I'm here, here today.

I'm so glad I'm here, so glad I'm here, so glad I'm here, here today...So glad I'm here, so glad I'm here, so glad I'm here, here today.

There have been many a day when things (big or small) aren't going my way and this song puts things back in perspective. It always reminds me that each day is a gift and it should not be taken for granted. So, even though today I am saying goodbye (again), I'm so glad I'm here. Because even though it hurts there is joy in knowing that the pain is because I have love....and I'm so glad I'm here, here today.

Every kid needs their own wheel...(Monday Carter Edition #28)

This weekend we were enjoying our last few days with Kimmi. Carter and I loved having her here for the week and I don't think we were ready for our time to end. Friday we had lunch at one of our favorite local spots Gere-A-Deli. Kim ordered the catch of the day...

She was pretty sweet...

We were also enjoying all the family time we could get, seeing as Nate is headed out again tomorrow, but more on that later (right now we're in DENY DENY DENY mode)...

Saturday we made our way to Seattle to take Kim to the airport. We decided to make a day of it and spent the afternoon at Fun Forest. It is directly beneath the space needle and I think all the vintage kiddie rides are so cool....


First up for Carter was a ride on the pirate ship with her main man...


She was a little terrified but I thought she did great (that's not saying much considering I'm the person who has been know to cry when people try to drag me on roller coasters)...

Waiting in line to ride the cars...

Ready to drive...

And it was Kim who made the observation that whoever designed these was thinking like a three year old because, no matter where you happen to sit, every kid has their own wheel, ingenious and OH so important!

Next up a ride on the carousel...


Followed by the kiddie roller coaster...


Carter was slightly nervous about this one...

But is was nothing that a little pep talk from her daring Aunt couldn't solve...




With a determined bounce they headed up the plank...




Started with a smile...



Rode like a champ...


And ended with the same little grin...

Last but not least, a little high flying fun...

It was a great way to spend our afternoon. And, I think it is safe to say that summer has arrived in Washington! Oh, and so has this awesome t-shirt...sorry I just couldn't help it...


Kim, we are so glad we got to spend the week with you! It means more than you know. You are, without a doubt, one of our favorite people! We love you so much...












Thanks for coming to see us!!

It never gets old.

Saying thank you. It never goes out of style, it cannot be said too much, and it never gets old. It may never be enough, but today, America says "thank you"....

and so do we.

It's rare...but it does happen.

There are few things in life I find myself actually fixing my hair for. Last week, however, it happened more than once! All military related because we had our change of command...and I have pictures to prove we actually can clean up pretty nicely!

My good friend Molly and I...

Hanging out with a few friends, Jamie and Stacy...

I'm always glad to be this guy's date...

Future Skipper???

I think she could keep these guy's in line for sure!

What a crazy week of events, but one thing I was reminded of is dressing up can be fun!

Monday Carter Edition #27~Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street?

Monday Carter was doing the usual this morning...getting ready to head to one of her favorite places, MDO...

When we arrived she needed me to tell her teachers that her Aunt was visiting...it was very important to her that everyone knew KIM was here!

She and her peeps (aka Aunt Kim and I) had already kicked our "girls week" off with a bang! Even the excitement of MDO couldn't compete with the events of the weekend! First of all Aunt Kim arrived in all her glory and Carter was one happy camper. Sunday we bid Nate farewell (just for the week) and headed off the island to catch Sesame Street Live....

We'd been looking forward to it for awhile...

And having Kimmi with us was like icing on the cake!

Smiles were easy to come by...

It's hard not to have fun when you're being entertained by this crew...

Carter got to meet a few really nice people, like Prairie Dawn...

and Abby...

she actually managed to reach out and touch Abby, who says dreams don't come true??

Of course with all that music and dancing going on it's hard not to get in on the action...

If you got it, shake it, right!?

We had a great time and are so glad that Kimmi is here to hang out with us for the week!

p.s. "C" is for Carter, Cutie and Could you be any more adorable??