Friday, December 28, 2007

Just some random thoughts... baby brag

It just amazes me to see how fast our little ones grow up. I know those of you who are older then us are laughing as you reading this probably saying that we have no idea. I just look back over the last 17months and am amazed at how fast Halia has grown, and on top of that, despite all the fear we may have had along the way, is incredibly smart and healthy despite all the odds. Yes we face all the things any parents of an almost 2yr old face, tantrums, leaving work early for fever, or the constant snotty nose. But she is amazing. She is not walking constantly yet, but I figure in her own time she will. The dr is not at all worried about it and encouraged us that her small feet have nothing to do with it as we both have small feet too. :) Plus I think in all reality she is walking far more then she leads us to believe at daycare, because everytime I go to pick her up without knowing I am there, she walks to the girls. How frustrating. I guess she just knows that we will baby her and carry her if she crawls so helplessly to our feet and lifts her arms and uhs at us. How can we resist snuggles? She is responding much more regularly to our questions by shaking her head yes or no. When we came home from Papa and Bana's on monday, we had not unpacked yet. Usually Halia will go to my suitcase and pull anything she can out and play with it. This time, she decided only to grab her bib that she saw, and walked into the kitchen to her highchair and want up. I guess she thought we were not going to feed her and wanted to make sure we knew she was hungry. Then wednesday she woke up from her nap and had her passi and blanket. Normally after nap she has snack. Well this time she shook her head no. So I held her for awhile and she kept laying her head down. FInally she took the passi out of her mouth and said, there go, handed me her blanket, there go. I asked if she was ready for snack and now she shook her head yes. She is always doing little things like that now and it is so cute, but I wanted to share a few. I never knew the love you could have for someone until you have a child, and I think I have probably heard that somewhere before, but it couldn't be more true.
Just wanted to share some thoughts...

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Our Christmas weekend!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We had a good but busy one! This weekend we went to Ft. Smith and did Christmas with his mom on Sat. Then on sunday we woke up and did Christmas with his dad and their side of the family. Sunday night we went to Aunt Melanies and did dinner with the family there and white elephant exchange. Monday we can home to be able to do our own Christmas as a family at our house. Halia woke up and opened presents from Santa which was fun. I cooked dinner that night, and We had two friends over for dinner.





All the girls and us







Caitlin
Tenley
Paige and Reese
Donleigh









Here is some of the pics, I will add more later

Thursday, December 20, 2007

A Ribbon for our soldiers- please remember

I sat in my seat of the Boeing 767 waiting for everyone to hurry and stow their carry-ons and grab a seat so we could start what I was sure to be a long , uneventful flight home. With the huge capacity and slow moving people taking their time to stuff luggage far too big for the overhead and never paying much attention to holding up the growing line behind them, I simply shook my head knowing that this flight was not starting out very well. I was anxious to get home to see my loved ones so I was focused on "my" issues and just felt like standing up and yelling for some of these clowns to get their act together. I knew I couldn't say a word so I just thumbed thru the "Sky Mall" magazine from the seat pocket in front of me. You know it's really getting rough when you resort to the over priced, useless sky mall crap to break the monotony.
With everyone finally seated, we just sat there with the cabin door open and no one in any hurry to get us going although we were well past the scheduled take off time. No wonder the airline industry is in trouble I told myself. Just then, the attendant came on the intercom to inform us all that we were being delayed.
The entire plane let out a collective groan. She resumed speaking to say "We are holding the aircraft for some very special people who are on their way to the plane and the delay shouldn't be more than 5 minutes. The word came after waiting six times as long as we were promised that "I" was finally going to be on my way home.
Why the hoopla over "these" folks?
I was expecting some celebrity or sport figure to be the reason for the hold up.........Just get their butts in a seat and lets hit the gas I thought.
The attendant came back on the speaker to announce in a loud and excited voice that we were being joined by several U. S. Marines returning home from Iraq!!! Just as they walked on board, the entire plane erupted into applause. The men were a bit taken by surprise by the 210 people cheering for them as they searched for their seats. They were having their hands shook and touched by almost everyone who was within an arm's distance of them as they passed down the aisle. One elderly woman kissed the hand of one of the Marines as he passed by her. The applause, whistles and cheering didn't stop for a long time. When we were finally airborne, "I" was not the only civilian checking his conscience as to the delays in "me" getting home, finding my easy chair, a cold beverage and the remote in my hand.


These men had done for all of us and I had been complaining silently about "me" and "my" issues. I took for granted the everyday freedoms I enjoy and the conveniences of the American way of life. I took for granted that others had paid the price for my ability to moan and complain about a few minutes delay. Not thinking of the price paid by those Heroes going home to their loved ones. I attempted to get my selfish outlook back in order and minutes before we landed I suggested to the attendant that she announce over the speaker a request for everyone to remain in their seats until our hero's were allowed to gather their things and be first off the plane.
The cheers and applause continued until the last Marine stepped off and we all rose to go about our too often taken for granted everyday freedoms......... I felt proud of them. I felt it an honor and a privilege to be among the first to welcome them home and say Thank You for a job well done. I vowed that I will never forget that flight nor the lesson learned. I can't say it enough, to those Veterans and active servicemen and women who may read this and a prayer for those who cannot because they are no longer with us.

GOD BLESS AMERICA! HOME! AND FOR A JOB WELL DONE !!!!!


This is a ribbon for soldiers fighting in Iraq. Pass it on to everyone and pray.

Monday, December 17, 2007

Halia was helping me finish baking today, and she really enjoying tasting it :)




I am all done mommy, look at my big belly
She was digging in my purse and found a kleenex to blow her nose
Passed out for her afternoon nap after shopping


We got elfed!

Thanks John, this is cute!


http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1142132750

random pics

The cats like hanging out under the tree


She thought it was fun getting into mommy's stuff


Spouses wine tasting at my house



Java


Kona

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Jakes ride, toy drive






Jake did the toys for toy motorcycle ride on December 1st. They had a great turn out and a great time! Elmo enjoyed the ride as well!