Snow... inside and out!

On Tuesday snow headed our way here in Killeen. We woke up to beautiful, big flakes and a snowy blanket covering our backyard. For a second I thought we were back in Colorado (especially since the next day was sunny and beautiful, with melting snow!) What made it even doubly enjoyable was that Jeremiah was able to spend the day with us. On a side note: It's totally funny to see a state who doesn't get much snow freak out about the conditions of the roads. We've driven in much worse in Colorado, and they would never cancel schools and close down post for what we got. But hey, if they want to close down post, that is totally ok to have my husband home for a free day =) I'm certainly not complaining!

So, between my nausea (thanks baby kline =) and Ethan's longing to go outside (he doesn't have any snow gear that fits him anymore!) I returned to my friend Keri's blog for some inside messy fun. The only items I had on hand from the ideas were toilet paper, water and bars of soap (which we usually don't have bar soap, but we are gathering packs for Jeremiah's deployment and just happen to have them on hand). It was our lucky day. We opted to make "Clean Mud". Ethan loved it and it killed time while waiting for the day to pass. He even "tasted" it, which was funny and the expressions he gave were priceless =) He began gently tossing some of the "mud" on my kitchen floor, which made me realize how dirty the floor was and how much I need to clean it. So he "helped" me clean patches of the tiles on the floor! When the mud fun was over, I felt so energized to mop the floor, which is totally weird seeing as how the nesting phase is still months away. But nothing can come between me and the lovely smell of Pine Sol, not even nausea. Just call me Monica, from Friends!

Here are some snapshots I took from the days events and the recipe for "Clean Mud" via Keri's blog =) Thanks again girl! You not only gave me a great idea, but the idea motivated me to clean my kitchen floor-I shouldn't have been so excited, but I was. =)

Before we embarked on our adventurous "clean" mud, Ethan was hamming it up for the camera. So, I couldn't resist, especially since he usually turns away when Mommy has the camera. It's amazing how many expressions he can make in a matter of 10 seconds =)

Two of my favorites =)

Now on to the mess......

Our Clean Mud

Ethan performing his lovely crawl as he scoots the bowl across the floor.

Clean Mud

1 roll of toilet paper
1 bar of soap
1 quart of water

Take the roll of toilet paper and let your kids tear it up into little pieces. Then get a bar of soap and grate it into little bits with a cheese grater on top of the toilet paper. Start adding a little water and stirring it all up. The toilet paper will start to dissolve and get kind of fluffy and moldable. If it gets a little runny, you've added too much water. Better get another roll of toilet paper......

3 years.

Happy Anniversary to US! Well, dating anniversary anyway =) It has been 3 years since my amazing Jeremiah asked me to date him. He took me the way I was, emotional, lots of baggage and all. Besides God, he has been a strong instrument in my healing, living again, and loving again. I don't know where I would be without him. I can honestly say he is my best friend, confidant, the one person I want to tell everything and anything to. I love him beyond words.

Happy Dating Anniversary, Babe!

Our 1st picture taken together (March 2, 2007)

E-E-E-Ethan and the Jets....

well, really helicopters to be exact =)

We had a fun morning, even with the foggy and overcast weather. Jeremiah's unit was giving a tour of their aircraft and things that medics use for the school for the deaf from Killeen. The families were able to come out too and see what all the fuss was about. And wow, what a fuss it was! I remember being close to tanks before but Blackhawks, Apaches and Shinnoks are a whole different story. It's just amazing what pilots and medics have to work with, being in the air with minimal space. Jeremiah said that they can fit up to 6 injured persons in the Blackhawk....talk about tight space! Well, Ethan had the most fun, until we had to go and he threw his normal fit because he was having too much fun and didn't want to leave (I hope he grows out of this soon =(! So here are some of the cool shots I got. Ellen and Bella came out with us too, Bella loves helicopters too! Which just goes to show that you don't just have to be a boy to love planes and helicopters =)

Ethan obviously belongs in the pilots seat!

Daddy and Ethan =)

It's All about LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Loves doesn't want what it doesn't have....doesn't force itself on others, isn't always 'me first,' doesn't fly off the handle, doesn't keep score of the sins of others....puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back, but keeps going to the end."

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 MSG

I'm so grateful. It hasn't felt like it lately, nor did it feel like it 4 1/2 years ago. But I do. I have the love of an amazing man, who has continued to help me heal, and who loves me despite how I treat him sometimes. He is a treasure and I love him so deeply. I had the love of a man who was taken from this earth much to soon. He was an incredible man of God. Although I miss him and love him, there was no one I knew/know more to be with Jesus, than him. And now and always, I have the love of a Father who loves unconditionally. I can mess up, be selfish, and not deserve His love, grace or mercy......but He gives it freely, because He loves me. He loves you. There is a song that echos this saying....'oh, how He loves you and me. oh how He loves you and me.' I don't really think about His love for me that often. But it's something that is true and very real. Praise God for His LOVE. I'm so blessed for the love of Jeremiah, the love of Charlie and the LOVE of my Father, Jesus Christ.

On a funny note, here is our Valentine sending his love on this day!

It takes TWO.

or three or four...... :) :)

We are very excited and bittersweetly announcing that Ethan is going to be a BIG BROTHER in about 9 months :) I must say I was very surprised! All I could think about was Ethan and how much I love him and how could I possibly love another child. Well, I know it's possible. Look at my Mom and Dad with me and Andy. They did a great job with us and loving us equally. I hope I can do the same.

Another milestone and joy~filled event for us, but bittersweetly so. I truly longed to speak to Andy to tell him of this awesome news. He would have been so proud to be an Uncle, again. I hope he is looking down on us, knowing how much we miss and love him. Is it always going to be like this? With JOY comes sorrow? With wonderful news comes sadness. In a way, yes. No matter what happens down here, we will always long to be with him, to be with our Father who loves us more than anything, unconditionally. So, happy 2 months in Heaven, my dear Bubbie. I know you are having a phenomenal time with friends, family and JESUS. I love you and miss you more than you will ever know. You have truly made me so proud.