My boys!

I am so proud and grateful for Mark; for his love, his support and his sacrifice that he is making. While in Idaho we attended a "Farewell to the Troops" picnic. I left feeling proud to be an American, grateful for the men and women who give so much to defend my freedom and my family, and especially Mark.

Anyways, there was a reporter there who interviewed us and got a great picture of Mark and David.



This picture just brings a smile to my face as well as tears to my eyes. We love you so much Mark!

For the full article go here, http://www.postregister.com/story.php?accnum=1001-09172010&today=2010-09-17%2000:00:00.

Never A Dull Moment

As most of you know David and I flew out to Idaho to see Mark before he leaves for Camp Shelby and then onto Iraq. It was so great to see him, spend time together, have David and him see each-other, and have Mark enjoying Davids little milestones. However, the getting to and from was not so much fun! I'm warning you now, this is probably going to turn into me venting a little, but after you read, you will understand. Promise.
Ok, going back to last Friday, we get on the plane in St. Louis headed towards Salt Lake. THe lady at the gate was actually really nice. She left the seat open next to me so I could put Davids carseat there. Anyways, if I remember correctly, weather slowed us down and we left about 30ish minutes late. Keep in mind I only had a 45 minute layover in SLC and I had to change my seat because for whatever blessed reason, Delta had me sitting in an "Exit row" with an infant. Well I got to the gate as they were doing final boarding. I switched seats with a nice man, but it wasn't going to work because I was now on the "wrong" side of the plane (the left side apparently only has 2 oxygen masks, where as the right side has 3.) Anyways, the lady at the gate told me I was going to have to switch with someone once I got on the plane. I start walking down and the same man that switched seats with me offered to take my carseat (because David had NO desire to be in), my diaper bag, and David. I told him no thank you, I can do it. Well after we went back and forth on this, he takes the carseat out of my hand and walks downs the longest walk ever to the plane! He really was helpful, some what weird, but helpful none the less. So we get to the plane and he tells the luggage man to make sure this (the car seat) gets on the plane, that I was going to need it once we got to Idaho. I switched seats (more like I sat down and when the lady came to the seat, I told her what was going on, and she was happy to switch with me.) We finally take off. I think we sat on the runway longer than what we were in the air for. David through out all of this was actually really good. He was a little fussy, but theres something about that runway that puts him to sleep :-) We land in Idaho Falls and after some confusion, we finally get to see Mark! Mark was so excited to see us...especially David! It was so fun to see his face (both Mark and David) when they saw each other!
--Small break, we stayed with probably the sweetest, kindest people in Idaho Falls. The Dustin Family. He and Marks dad were at the Air Force academy. Thank you Dustin family for opening your home to us!--
Ok, so the flight back. This is where things really get good. But first, those of you with kids, did you know it is a federal regulation that car seats can be checked...for FREE?!?! I didn't! I have now paid twice with Delta to ($35 each time!) to check it. It wasn't until Thursday when we were coming back that I found out-the man working the ticket counter asked me how many bags I had, 2, my duffle bag and car seat. He said decided to tell me how the car seat isn't charged! Ok, so David and I are sitting in the Idaho Falls Airport patiently waiting for the plane to come. Were waiting. And waiting. Over the intercom, we hear that our plane will be here around 6:20pm...ten minutes after we should be in the air. Well, it finally comes. Everyone from the first flight comes off, we go on, and we wait some more. I sat next to a man who is an Occupational Therapist at EIRMC. He was really excited to sit next to David because he works with kids that have problems, so it was fun for him to see a baby doing everything they should. We finally land in Salt Lake at 7:42pm...my next flight was suppose to leave at 7:53pm. The flight attendant assured me they would wait. So I run. (Im sure Im quite the site to see do this!) I get to the next gate right after the door closed. This really begins the fun :-( I was then told they would get me on the next flight...in the morning! I'm pretty much in teas at this point. They gave me a very nice suite at Country Inn & Suites. I go to the baggage center because I need to get into my bag to get diapers, wipes and formula!!! About an hour and a half/two hours later, I'm told that my bag made it on the flight. (Ugh. How the heck is that even possible?!) They gave me some meal voulchers, paid for the taxi to take me to buy some formula. The taxi driver was somewhat scary. I kept thinking about law and order and bad things that happen. I was tired. Exhausted actually. Hungry. An emotional mess really. (I personally think they should have paid for that, but whatever, Delta will receive a nice little comment from me. On the other hand, another lady that missed the flight (did I mention there were 14 people that missed that flight because their first flight was late?) Anuways, this other lady was upset because her makeup and hair products were in the bag. Hello, get over yourself, you will live. Anyways, I get the formula and go to the hotel. THe pack and play that they had didn't work-the sides wouldn't stay locked. The lady at the front desk couldn't figure it out (and there were 2 other buses that came in after me that were stayin the night due to issues at the airport). She brought me a rollaway, but I was worried that David would roll off, and the mattress was way too soft so I couldn't put David just on that on the floor. I ended up putting him on the pack and play matt at the end of my bed on the floor. Im glad I did that because David was ALL over the place! I woke up to him kind of crying and he was partially under the bed. Another time, he was half way across the room!

The picture is pretty dark, but you can get the idea.



Anyways, he did pretty good during the night. We go down and eat breakfast and get on the shuttle. I get to the airport. Fly through security and wait some more. But this time waiting it wasn't nearly as bad because 1)the plane was there 2)I knew I was going to get home in 2 1/2 short hours! So we're sitting on the plane and this rude lady looks me in the eye and sits behind me and says "Oh crap, you better keep that baby quiet." Who says that? Seriously? I was shocked. I dont want David crying/screaming anymore than the next person! (My mom says I should have pinched David and let the lady have it! If hadnt cause pain to David, I probably would have.) So the flight went pretty well, David fussed for a minute towards the end, but all in all did really well! (Have you had enough? I hope this all makes sense.) My bags really did make it St. Louis and we're there waiting for me :-)

So needless to say, I am so over traveling for a little bit. And if you are still reading, wow! Way to go! I'm really glad we were able to see Mark. You are going to hear that a lot over the next year. We love you Mark and are proud of you!

You know your husband/dad is in the Army when...

...he changes a diaper like this:



Yes fellow bloggers, Mark is wearing his gas mask to change Davids diaper. I am excited for David to begin rice cereal and eventually "real" food but I also fear that he is going to have some pretty stinky diapers. While Mark was just joking about getting his gas mask to change the diaper, I think it was a pretty wise move because that diaper was sick!



We are enjoying our time in Idaho with Mark and are grateful for the time thata we have to spend together as a family. I love my boys and it makes me happy to see Mark and David rebond. It is really fun to see David laughing and smiling with Mark. Just so precious.

Happy 3 Months!

Where has the time gone? No, seriously, where has it gone? Just last month I was having my appendix removed (in case you were thinking about having yours removed, it cost $10,000!), moving to Illinois, preparing for Mark to leave, blessing David, family reunion in Colorado, Mark leaving...It's been busy. But none the less, life is good and we are enjoying being around family here and being closer to mine as well.
David turned 3 months today and unfortunately we both got colds. No fun. It is so sad to see him not feel well and not be able to do much of anything to help him. Despite his little cold, he has still been a pretty happy kid. I just love his little smile and am grateful each day he is in our family here on earth! We love you so much David and I know Dad is excited to see you soon! Happy 3 months little man!

Pictures of the Week

This is for you Joelle. I thought I was doing pretty well at updating this thing. Evidently not. So, to help me update more frequently I will be borrowing an idea from Joelle..."Picture of the Week." By Friday I will have a picture up of something that happened earlier in the week. This will hopefully give me more motivation to write a little excerpt as well :-)

There are 2 pictures today! WOW! They are both of David sleeping. I think they are just so adorable! He is a tummy sleeper and sleeps so much better that way! Only have to get up once a night is so nice!

Family Pictures

In preparation for Mark deploying we had some family pictures taken. They turned out so well and I'm glad we were able to do this! These are just a few...







I'll all of them on facebook soon. We had Davids 2 month appointment on Monday. My little boy is certainly not so little. He is 24 inches and 13 pounds! WOW! Haha. He is so cute and starting to be more and more awake/alert. He has also only been waking up once a night for a little bit. It is oh so wonderful. If you ever take sleep for advantage, be a parent :-)


We also celebrated our anniversary a little early. Two years. Such fun and sweet memories. I love you Mark and look forward to many years with you. You are a great dad and a fabulous husband! We're sure going to miss you.
We went to the Melting Pot for dinner. Its a little expensive, but oh so worth it! My mouth is watering right now thinking about all the yummy food. It is a 4 course fondue meal. We started off with a cheese fondue with bread, apples & veggies to dip! Then came the meat; lobster, shrimp, steak, chicken. And then there was dessert. We choose chocolate, caramel, pecan fondue and enjoyed it with the cheesecake, pound cake, marshmallows, brownie bites...



They have these cute little romantic booths to sit in.


We then enjoyed a night off from parenthood! Haha. Thanks to Amy & Randy who took David for the night! We really appreciate it!

Before Mark left he made David a bear from "Build A Bear." It had a little message that we can play.



And so it begins. It has been an emotional last few days, but also very sweet. David and I are hoping to go out to Idaho in a month; why must rental cars be so expensive? Anyone have a car they want to lend for a few days?!? Thank you to those who do support us during this next year.

We're here!

After several days of packing and one long day of loading the truck and cleaning the apartment, we're here! Thank you so much to those of you that came and loaded, took furniture apart, cleaned and watched my baby! I really appreciate it, especially where I could not do much. We are still settling in and unpacking the things that are going to stay at the house. David and I flew, along with my mother-in-law and Mark drove (more on that in a minute!) I was really kind of nervous about the flight; however some lovely friends (that would be you Joelle and Meagan, and Ashleigh, you can do it!) told me at that age he would just sleep. Sure enough, minutes before we got on our first flight he fell asleep...and stayed asleep! It was great! So then came the 2nd flight, I sat down at the gate and he woke up to eat. I fed him and shortly after sitting on the plane he fell back asleep! He didn't wake up until about the last half hour of the flight, but he was so content and smiley even :-) When we stood up to get off the plane, people sitting around us were surprised to see that there was a baby! Oh happy day! He was slightly fussy on the way home, and then when it was time for bed, he decided he wasn't tired! I had to pick my battles and decided him sleeping on the flight was more important. Thankfully, my mother-in-law took him...he didn't fall asleep until 1:30.
So now onto Mark and his driving. We were able to check out of our apartment a day earlier than expected, so Mark left late morning on Thursday. He drove about 7 hours and then stopped for the night. He then woke up at 3:30AM because he wasn't tired! He drove about 17 hours and got to Illinois Friday night! He's crazy, but I was glad he got there when he did...and safely! Here is a picture of our truck with a few items already out. He was filled to the max!



I am glad we won't have to do that for a while. We have had a good since we've been here and look forward to more fun! My family is coming out for Davids blessing on Sunday. For those back in Idaho, I miss you and hope to see you in September!