Andy's Home and Lessons Learned

Yes my friends...it's been exactly one week since Andy returned home from his year long deployment.  If I had a dollar for every time someone asked ' So, are you so happy to have him home? '  I would be a rich woman.  'well DUH' is what I want to say...of course I am happy to have him home.  It has been awesome.

So last Monday was the big day.  I was pretty anxious all day, but toward the end of the day, waiting at the airport, I even got a little snippy with my siblings.  Sometimes nerves/excitement does that to me.  For example...on our wedding day I was driving to the Salt Lake Temple with my family.  My brother Nate tried to make some light hearted remark or joke and I snipped at him 'I am NOT in the mood for jokes!' I said... and that was the end of that.  Likewise, Monday night I got a little on edge...but that immediately dissipated as soon as Andy walked through those two glass doors.  

Needless to say...after a year over seas, two days in Kabul, one day in Bagram, four days in Kuwait and about 11,000 miles of travel (and even a little money out of our own pocket)...Andy is home.  Safe. 

I had this sign made for Andy back in September.  If you have a deployed loved one you can have one made for FREE at www.buildasign.com/troops I highly recommend it!

Andy is such an amazing father.  I know that he and Noah share a special bond (heck, Noah says Daddy and doesn't even say Mommy!).  We are so so so happy to have him home, and I think all of us are looking forward to this next year and just being together.  This has been a great experience for our family in a lot of ways.  A great blessing as well.  I have grown a lot as a person and I know it will benefit me throughout my life, and is something I look forward to sharing with our children.  I thought I would share just a few of the things I have gained, personally, from this experience. 

- I have learned that I am VERY fortunate to live in this great country, there are so many who are less fortunate than we are.  We shouldn't take that freedom for granted.

- Attitude is everything, and it affects everyone.  This experience was positive for us, mainly because Andy and I tried to look at all the blessings we received.  Our resolve to think positive not only made our experience sweeter, but it made it easier on our family as well.

- Prayers are Answered.  There is not much I can add to this, except that I know this statement to be true.  Time and time again.

- I need to be more compassionate and more patient.

- I need to use my time more wisely!

- Clear communication is so important.  Being away from your spouse or loved one is very difficult and would be even harder if we didn't communicate properly.

- Lastly, I learned to rely completely on the Lord.  So many things are not in my control, but yet I would rather He be the one in charge anyway.

Maybe some of you, who have experienced similar situations, can share some of the things you have learned. I would like that.   Welcome Home Andy.  WE LOVE YOU!

Special Delivery

Today we got two special deliveries in the mail!  Both of Andy's trunks from Afghanistan arrived and Noah and I had the liberty of going through them.  The blanket Andy took with him hadn't been washed ALL YEAR LONG - so you better believe that is the first thing I did, was wash that blanket.  Noah really enjoyed the trunks, and even enjoyed chewing on Andy's USED ear plugs (yes, I know...disgusting).  I was sure to hide them immediately.

Anyway, most of the afternoon this is where I found Noah...sitting on top of one of the trunks....

You think he is ready for his daddy to come home??  Also, this morning...Noah and I took an EARLY morning walk and stopped at the park for the fun of it.  It was nice to have the jungle gym and swings all to ourselves and Noah loved it.  So much so that he cried the whole walk home.  I caught this adoreable photo on my cellphone - it couldn't be more perfect!

Lastly, tonight I got to spend the evening with these ladies...

As well as my Mom, my sister-in-law Megan and my sister Whitney.  Debbie and Kara had us over for a little going away dinner.  I consider this family partly my own (Debbie use to babysit my brother and I when we were just tots) and I had such a wonderful time tonight.  THANKS Deb for making such a wonderful dinner and for having us all over.  I appreciated that so much!!

Let The Countdown Begin....

As many of you have probably guessed, Andy is REALLY close to coming home.  I mean, so close I can feel it!  Today he travels to Kuwait, and then from there his real (and really long) journey begins.  We are hoping by next Monday or Tuesday he will be here.  That is a mere six to seven days.  DAYS.  Not months, or even weeks... but DAYS.  I have been thinking a lot about what I have learned over the past year, experiencing a deployment, taking care of a small child, being a mom and a long distance wife...I am still adding to the list, and maybe some time I will have the courage to share it.  But I can honestly say, I have learned a lot.  And as crazy as it may sound, this deployment has been a blessing in a lot of ways.  So here is to 6 days left (I am thinking positive)! 

I also ran across this video earlier today and had a REALLY good laugh while watching it.  I thought maybe you would enjoy it as well....I mean, who wouldn't think this is funny? haha Enjoy!

Wishin' And Hopin'

And Thinkin' and Prayin'

Plannin' and Dreamin'

A girl can dream, can't she?  This is my summer wardrobe wish list! 

1. Anthropologie: Colored Pencil Cardigan  2. Michael Kors Belt  3. Banana Republic: Embellished Tee  

4. Anthropologie: Golden Koi Sandals  5. Anthropologie: Whirl & Wind Cardigan 6. Anthropologie: Cooling Palette Dress

7. Nixon: The Kensington Watch  8. linkeldesigns: Petite Bloom Earrings

So as I sit and dream...or wish - here are a few things that have been going on around here.  FIRST- tomorrow marks exactly ONE year since Andy left.  Remember this??

 Well hopfully in about three weeks there will be a similar picture - only this time a Hello instead of a Goodbye.  I definitely don't think it has hit either of us, and probably won't hit me until he is actually here. Three more Sundays, that's what I keep telling myself.  Although with the Army, I guess you never really know for sure. 

I can't go a post without sharing some pictures of Noah.  I took these pictures last Tuesday.  He seems to have an infatuation for sitting on top of boxes or laundry baskets...don't ask me why, but it sure is cute! 

Noah's favorite things as of late??

Pancakes

Dancing

Old MacDonald

PJ Funnybunny: It's Not Easy Being a Bunny

Typing on the Keyboard

Talking on the Phone (or pretending to)

Going Up and Down the stairs (and up and down again)

Fruit Snacks

Bath Time

Being Outside

If you are looking for a good children's book, check out the one I linked above - PJ Funnybunny.  Noah is obsessed with this story.  Yesterday I think I read it to him at least 6 times.  It's his favorite!

Lastly, this has been a project I have been meaning to complete for some time.  My parents got me this antique chair when I was in high school...and since living with my parents (and re-inheriting the chair) I decided I wanted to change the upholstery on it.  I think it turned out rather nice, and now it matches my duvet perfectly!  Here's a little before and after:

ps. my mom deserves props for helping me with this one!!

Getting Inspired

My girlfriend Brittany recently posted something on her facebook that read- '14 Things You Never Say to a Military Wife'  the following are my favorite from the list....

2. "I don't know how you manage. I don't think I could do it."

-This is intended to be a compliment. Though, its just a little annoying. Here's why: it's not like all of us military wives have been dreaming since childhood of the day we'd get to be anxious single moms who carry cell phones with us to the bathroom and in the shower. We're not made of some mysterious matter that makes us more capable, we just got asked to take on a challenging job. So we rose to the challenge and found the strength to make sacrifices.

8. "My husband had to go to Europe for business once for three weeks. I totally know what you're going through."
-This one is similar to number two. Do not equate your husband's three week trip to London/Omaha/Tokyo/etc. with a 12-15 month or more deployment to a war zone. Aside from the obvious time difference, nobody shot at your husband or tried to blow him up with an I.E.D., your husband could call home pretty much any time he wanted to, he flew comfortably on a commercial plane, slept between crisp white sheets and ate well, paying for everything with an expense account. There is no comparison. We do not feel bonded to you in the slightest because of this comment and, if anything, we probably resent you a bit for it. Comparing a 12 month combat deployment to a few weeks business trip is like comparing a Ford Taurus with a Mercedes convertible. 

There were others (12 others, that all rang true in some way)- you can find the link HERE. One of my favorite points made was... We learn to appreciate the important things, like simply hearing their voices, seeing their faces, being able to have dinner together every night.


Ain't that the truth?!  This morning I was talking to Andy about how excited I am to just be able to decorate our home...to dust my lamps, and vacuum my floor, to cook my family dinner, to sleep next to my husband, to watch TV late at night with Andy, or go out to dinner.  I am excited to buy new furniture and hang curtains.  I can't wait to have a BBQ and go play tennis.  Does that sound silly?  I have realized that what I appreciate the most are the little things that we can do as a family.  Living with my parents has been WONDERFUL, and life saving.  They have given me support that I could not have found anywhere else, but I am SO excited for this phase in our lives to be over.  I am ready for the end of this deployment. 


We will hit our year mark next week, and then it will still be at least another 3 weeks until we get to see Andy...but the end is in sight...and in the mean time I have become inspired by these...

... And those are just a few of the pictures I have saved.  I mean really, doesn't this just make you want to go paint your bedroom?  I've already warned Andy that he may have to lot me a portion of our savings to turn our home into the place I hope it will be...unfortunately military housing won't allow me to paint...so I will have to make up for it in other ways!  Here's to finding way's to be inspired...what inspires you? 

Is It True? Has Spring Really Sprung?!

So I hope the title of this post doesn't jinx me (I am knocking on wood at this moment)!  The weather here has been B-E-A-utiful the last few days and is supposed to last through the weekend.  Seen as though we got four inches of snow sometime early last week, you can understand why I am so excited!  I have been able to go running, take Noah on walks and to the park and open our front door!  I love having the front door open (of course the screen door is closed and locked, I am not that trusting).  Anyway, Noah loves being outside.  If I even open the door and close it again he throws one of his tantrums (something he is getting better and better at!).

So this is what he will do.  Stand by the front door and gaze outside.

Even thought he hasn't started walking on his own yet (yes, he is taking his sweet time)...he still gets himself into everything.  He LOVES the cupboards...especially the snack cupboard and the one with the pans.  Occasionally I will find him sneaking inside...

I am sure many of you have seen a very similar picture in your own home.  This, my friends, is why I hate spending money on toys...because he always ends up playing with pots and pans!  

I recently posted a picture on my facebook in which my best friend Chelsea said, "He looks like he's five years old!!"  It's true that Noah is growing (too fast if you ask me!), and sometimes I look at him and wonder where all the time has gone.  How did my little baby get so big!! 

Doesn't he look like a little man??  I made his tie by the way, super simple...you can purchase the pattern from the designer at Little Londyn: Little Guy Ties  They even have patterns for you to make your little guy, and his daddy a matching tie!   

Speaking of DADDY.  We are getting closer and closer to Andy's homecoming! I am not going to put a definite time frame on it, because those of you who know the Army first hand, know that their schedule is never set in stone.   He recently sent me these pictures - aerial views of Afghanistan...and the town right off post. It really is beautiful from this view!

I guess I never would have expected it to be so green!  Looks like spring has sprung over seas as well!! 

Anyway, thanks to those of you who have sent me your blog addresses!  If you haven't sent it yet, please send it.  I am not sure how, but I lost all my links and am trying to recollect them! 

As a side note...my very talented sister-in-law Cami has started a cooking blog (I had to pressure her into it)...She is a really really great cook and has agreed to share recipes on her new blog!  You should check it out, and become a follower!  Here is the site  http://tastyafare.blogspot.com/ ...she just started it so keep checking back for more great recipes!! 

Hope the rest of you are enjoying spring as much as I am!!

Yes, We Are Alive...

I hope you will all forgive me for waiting TWO weeks to update the blog!  I have been taking care of this little guy, who has been sick. sick. sick.

Yes it is March and those are Christmas pajamas.  Yes that is oatmeal ALLLLL over the place.  Yes he had pink eye in BOTH eyes as well as a sinus infection.  Just as he was getting over that he seemed to catch a flu bug.  I hope he is finally on the mend, if it weren't for his allergies and his constantly runny nose.  Anyway, you get the idea - I have been otherwise occupied with very important things!

I can't believe it will be April in two days. Has it really been over 3 months since Christmas?  3 months since we last saw Andy?  Crazy.  We are down to less than two months until Andy comes home, and I couldn't be more ecstatic.

We've also had some special visitors over the past week!  Nana and Aunt MacKenzie (Andy's Mom and Sister) came to visit us for MacKenzie's spring break.  It was SO wonderful having them here.  We kept ourselves busy with lots of sewing, a birthday celebration and little shopping trips here and there.  It was awesome.  For her Senior project MacKenzie made 3 quilts.  One for herself (a Young Women's value quilt) and two to give away.  We all pitched in and helped...especially my mother.  We had a great time and I think MacKenzie is proud of her work!  Beware, this may be a picture overload!

Two of the quilts will be going children who have a deployed parent.  I think this is such a wonderful idea and will be such a special thing for these kids to have.  We had so much fun making these!

Whew! That was a lot of pics...but wouldn't you agree that the quilts turned out spectacular?  Three quilts in one week is pretty awesome if you ask me.

We also had a little BIRTHday celebration for Kenzie.  Although it wasn't her actual birth DAY, we wanted to surprise her while she was here.  For anyone who knows MacKenzie, they know about two of her favorite things.  Bacon and Jacob Black.  So in honor of those two things...we came up with this....

A bacon cake. Granted this was my first time EVER working with fondant (and just may be my last)...and granted it may look more like camo than a piece of bacon.  But just use your imagination...Kenzie loved it, and that's all that mattered! In case you were wondering...NO, there wasn't actual bacon in the cake. I am not sure anyone but Kenzie would have enjoyed that.  :)

As for gifts...she got what she always wanted!

Jacob magnets and a Jacob T-shirt.  I think she was one happy little lady!

Anyway, as you can see...life has been a little busy lately and we are getting back to reality! Here are just a few more pictures for your enjoyment.  As if we didn't have enough already! :)