Branson, MO

This weekend was another fun-filled, exhausting time for Stephen and Grace!  We are doing a pretty good job of filling up a lot of the time Joe is gone with fun diversions for these guys.  It also seems that those diversions are all accomplished with my great in-laws!  My Mom and Granny are the constant ones we live with and see, day-in, day-out, so there are no cool pictures of us cooking or eating dinner, or pulling our hair out at 4pm when the afternoon melt down occurs.  All I do is blog about the fun trips I take!  Just so you know, there is another side, that is not seen so much.  We gotta get those two in on the fun!!!

Back to the fun trip!  We spent the weekend in Branson.  The only full day we had, we spent at Silver Dollar City.  It was perfect for the kids.  Lots of rides for them.  Grace even went on the log ride and the large raft that goes around the river that gets you soaked.   She wanted to ride everything “My ride that”, but when she got on it, “All done” as it started.  Stephen is less brave from the get-go, unashamedly.  The log ride was like child abuse after the plunge.   Both children were crying and Robert and I were doing our best to get them back into the fun of it!

The pictures above are of Grace and Stephen with a bunny in the petting zoo section.  Secondly, Stephen on the big raft, looking so relaxed.  Third and fourth are of Grace with her Papa and Nana.

Lord, Thank you for diversions!  We are on the down hill slope of this deployment.  I pray that You will continue to sustain us and fill us with Your peace.  Thank You for joy.  Thank You for family.  Thank You for my hubby.  The kids are “diverted” on times like these, but I miss sharing them with him.

 

To Nana’s and Papa’s House We Go!

This past weekend was spent at Joe’s parent’s house.  We had a great time.  The kids were the center of the universe and they loved it.  The pictures above are of Grace after lunch, Stephen and Grace waiting to go to dinner, Grace in the inevitable bubble bath. 

It was a weekend to mostly stay in, besides going to church on Sunday, and we played and played.  Uno, babies, cooking, lego’s, videos, puzzles, and most regal of all, the TEA PARTY.  See the pictures below of our most refined time. 

We snacked on cookies, crackers, and tea (apple juice).  It was a most formal occasion with proper dress required.  Stephen wore a splendid American tie and Grace looked most elegant in her (tablecloth) of fine gold.  She was, of course, accessorized with the finest of jewelry.  Nana, did it up, ya’ll!  I regret to inform their father, that Stephen quite enjoyed himself.  Although, this could have been due to the cookies alone, and not the dignified manner in which we partook!  Anyway, very cute and fun time….

Lord, Thank You for Grandparents!  I pray for many memories to be built over this time here while Joe is away.  A beautiful picture of Your love for us, is the joy seen in a Grandparent’s face for their grandchildren!

2 Posts in One Day?!?

Please read following post about Stephen’s triathlon, too.  This is the second post in one day.  Where have I been?  Not doing a whole lot blog-worthy.  No pictures have been taken to chronicle our day-to-day life!  Then all of a sudden today is the day.  Things were happening! 

After the Triathlon, Mom and I went shopping with Grace.  Stephen got to stay home and rest.  That race pretty much did him in for today!  While we were out, a sweet bouquet of flowers arrived from my sweet hubby.  Also, which I think is sooo sweet, he sends 2 balloons, one for Stephen and one for Grace.  This is the second time he has done this, to remind you!  On the heels of the spa day, even!  What a guy!  He could have been coasting on that one for a long time!  (SHH! Don’t tell him that, though!) 

The balloons were so huge this time, that I had to chronicle that!  Look at them compared to little Grace!  She could fit in one!  They loved them.  Grace knows exactly who they came from, too = Daddy!

She has been a Daddy’s girl lately.  She talks about him every day.  “Dada hold me”, ”Dada cook with me, oatmeal”, “Miss Dada”, “Dada play babies” and on and on!  We drive by the airport and she still remembers the day we watched his plane fly off until the speck disappeared to Iraq.  Right now she is on “Dada come home soon”, we will be ready to see that speck return our way, until he is right here holding us! 

Father, Thank You for the love our family shares.  Thank You that we are able to continue to share that so intimately over all these miles and remain so bonded.  Please continue to sustain us until we are reunited! 

My Little Triathlete!!!

Not only is he growing up right before my very eyes, he has now become this family’s first triathlete!  The gym that I am a member of hosted a Kids’ Triathlon.  When I asked him if he wanted to do it, Stephen was all for it!  So the daunting task was to swim the length of the pool, bike 1/2 mile, then run 1/4 mile.  Whew!  Stephen was such a trooper!  He is just learning to swim, but he gave that his all.  In the bike ride, as he went passed the turn around point, he fell off the bike.  Cried a little, but got back on and finished that leg.  He was so far behind the 3 other boys in front of him, that when he finished the bike portion, he thought he had won!  Bless his heart.  Then for the last leg, he took off running.  But instead of walking to rest, he would completely stop, look behind him, see someone coming and scream and take off again!  I don’t know about him, but I had a blast!  He was pooped but crossed the finish line with arms in the air!  Way to go, Buddy!

I told Joe that I hope I wasn’t pushing him to do this and that Stephen would have fun.  Joe reminded me that Stephen has fun doing everything.  He really does and today was no exception.

Lord, Thank You for a healthy child that can do all those things.  I pray that we never take that for granted and enjoy everyday with such enthusiasm, arms raised to You!