Monday, October 30, 2006

The countdown has begun...

Josh left yesterday. It finally happend. After weeks of rumors of when they would leave, and dates being told, and then taken back (this is very typical by the way!), he was given the date a week ago that they would leave yesterday morning. They were supposed to leave at 11:30a.m. We had to be at the airport (one on base that does all the Military hops and what not) at 9:30a.m. so when the plane they had was broken, they said they would get them out of there by 12:30. It didn't happen. They ended up leaving at 2:30p.m. Thankfully they had a large room that was for the kids to play in, had a computer for older kids to play games, and a t.v. and a large supply of Disney movies. They also had a place to buy food, and a nearby bathroom. We were set. It was for me a very long emotional day just waiting. Once they finally announced they were to leave, the whole process was quick. I think we got about a 15second final goodbye, and then Josh had to do his job which was to get the rest of the 22 enlisted folks, and the other officer with him to the plane. After all the wait, I was dissppointed in a short goodbye, and I know the other wives were too. Especially the enlisted folks, as I'm sure their spouses will be gone a full 6 months. As we watched them get on the bus that took them out to the plane I finally let myself cry, as cried a little before we left (I cried in private), but now I let it go freely. And I wasn't alone, as there were several other wives and some kids still there. This military life is a difficult one, and I hate to say goodbye to my husband, but as we tried to explain to Jonas and Maddie why Daddy had to leave it reminded me that Josh is going to protect our country. He has an important job to do, and not everyone can do what he does. We are so blessed to live in our country and enjoy the freedoms that we do, and Josh is doing his job to ensure that our country is secure and free. Now I'm not saying I will enjoy being the sole parent, the one who has to take out the trash all the time, change all the diapers, give the baths, get the car cleaned out, and make sure our bills are paid; I know that he is coming back, and this is only just a small fraction of time in our lives that he will miss, and he will be home soon.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Some of the outtakes of our Family Pictures... but they're good!






Hopefully this works... I've been trying all week to get these pictures on-line!

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Family Pictures

Several weeks ago we asked our friend Ethan if he would take some family pictures of us. Its been a busy few weeks for him and for us, and we finally had a few hours free to go and take some pictures. He took a lot of pictures, and its amazing how everyone can look good, and then one person has their eyes closed... grrr! I think we have at least 3 winners. Although towards the end we took one of my favorites which is all of us making funny faces, and EVERYONE is looking at the camera. We won't send this in our Christmas cards so I'll post it here. We are now down to just a few more days until Josh leaves. I'm ready for him to go so he'll be back that much sooner. I'm so glad this is the last deployement for us for a few years! YEAH!!
Pictures will come soon... the blogger is being funny

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Helloween Ball






Last night was the Helloween Ball for all the Helicopter pilots at the Squadrons. It was at the Sheraton Hotel downtown Norfolk. Even though I had to get a new dress, which had three layers of hemming, and had to be altered to fit me in the shoulders, and altered so I could wear my under garments, it looked nice. Josh also had to buy a kilt. Most everyone in Josh's squadron wore one. It was very amusing to see them all in them. Unfortunately my picture of all of them didn't turn out, so I'll have to acquire one from someone else. It was one of the best we have been to so far. I'm glad that Josh was home so we could go. Here are some pictures of us. I got my hair done at this salon called About Face Hair Design. The lady Janelle that did it was amazing. My hair is short, but what she did to it made it look long! It was cool! I loved it! I am including that picture of my hair too!

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Hallow-scream


Last night my friend Jenn and I FINALLY after 2 previous tries, got to go to Busch Gardens. The reason we wanted to go is because they have a big Halloween thing every year called Hallowscream. Okay that's not the only reason we wanted to go. We wanted to be able to go on the roller coasters together too! But the Hallowscream also has some things that younger kids would be too scraed to see, so that's the other reason we wanted to go. It was sooo much fun! The whole park is lit up with orange lights, and scray decorations are all over the place! They have several places around the park where there are dummies hanging on trees, then at night they added to them with real live people dressed up, and you don't actually know they are alive until they move and jump out! The train becomes instead of transportation, its own ride, we heard went past scray cemetaries, some coffins without bodies, and so forth. They had several rides that were haunted houses, and several different shows. Did I mention it was a lot of fun! Through all of the haunted houses we linked arms because we didn't want to walk through not holding on to something! And we did jump several times, and then laughed about it.
We did ride roller coasters, and ate way too much at dinner! It was exactly what I needed! Josh finally got his dates to leave. He'll leave at the end of this month. I'm sad, but am glad he'll be able to deploy so he'll then be able to return home that much sooner!
Tonight we are going to the Navy Heloween Ball, and Josh has to wear a Kilt. Don't worry I will be posting pictures!

Sunday, October 15, 2006

7 Years


7 year ago today Josh and I were married in the Washington D.C. temple. I can't believe how fast 7 years have gone by. 7 years ago Josh and I were still in college. We got married over our fall break, skipped classes the following week to take a honeymoon down in North Carolina where we stayed at a wonderful Bed and Breakfast! (which we returned there for a visit on our 5th Anniversary) In our 7 years of marriage we have finished college, Josh has joined the Navy, had 3 children, and we've moved 5 times. It has been an adventure for sure!
It has truly been a great 7 years of marriage! Josh is my best friend, and more. =)
I love him so much, even saying that doesn't seem to be enough. He is honest, caring, thoughtful, understanding, smart, funny, cute, and sexy. (of course you might not care about that!) He is the whole package! I thank my Heavenly Father every day that Josh came into my life. I know that together we are better than apart. I know that sounds a little corny, but it's true. Anyway, here's to us, to many more years, and at least one more child! lol!

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Pumking Patch






Every year the church where the kids go to Preschool sells pumpkins. And they have a TON of pumpkins in MANY MANY sizes! I love when they sell them because the entire front lawn of the church is covered in pumpkins! They just put them out on Tuesday and I finally remembered to take my camera to school. Maddie didn't have her preschool class today so after we dropped off Jonas and Connor in their class we took a few minutes and took some pictures! Enjoy and have a happy Fall day!

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Visits from family!






We've been busy this past week and a half with family! Josh's mom was here, and then went to Indiana to help Jenna
move into her house. (Josh's sister) While she was gone my parents came into town and my mom and I shopped at the mall and went to the scrapbooking stores. It was a lot of fun. We celebrated Josh's birthday twice early (today is Josh's 30th Birthday!), with my parents going to Cheesecake Factory, and then last night we went to IHOP (easy place to take the kids!) with Josh's mom. My parents left Saturday, and Josh's mom arrived Sunday, and left today. Yesterday we spent the day in Yorktown, and then Williamsburg. We had a lot of fun. The kids did great with all the walking we did. Here are some pictures from our day! Enjoy!

Monday, October 02, 2006

News,Bubbles, Hide & Seek, self timer on camera






Good News! Josh is not leaving, at least not this week! No news on when, but there were difficulties on the ship (don't know what, but I really shouldn't say!) So he isn't leaving this week, and it's unknown when he will. So for now we're enjoying him being home. (and I'm very happy about this trust me!)
We started out blowing some bubbles that Grandma Nori brought from a wedding she attended up in DC (reason for her being so close and coming to visit). From there I tried to get the kids to sit still so we could play around with the timer on our camera, and from there we played Hide and Seek. Really it was the kids running around the back of the house, and me going to find them, but they would run out in front of me and I would chase them to the front of the house. We had some good laughs! I'm sure they'll get the hide and seek concept in a few years, but for now they think its good fun to "hide" and let mom chase them. Enjoy the pictures!

Our crazy adventures... with 4 great kids...