True Love Lasts Forever

recently

2010-01-08T23:22:00.005-05:00

We have recently began the remodel on our kitchen. Originally when we bought the house, we had decided that the kitchen would be the room to do over completely and so last Saturday Kaylen and I got to rippin' it up!! It was actually super fun! Now though, we have a mess! From plumbing being messed up [not by us] and random holes in the ceiling [not from us]...it's just a mess!

With our taxes, we are going to make the 3 hour drive back to IKEA and get the remaining counters and cupboards to finish it all up. We have most of the stuff but stupidly didn't actually measure the kitchen before our last trip up there! *smack to the forehead!* It will look great once it is done though!

Kaylen has been super busy since he has gone back to work since Christmas leave. It seems like the people at his command hate their families so they keep the guys away from theirs as much as possible! He deploys this year again and for the last time while in this command! Hallelujah! Before deployment he will be gone all the time and possibly miss his bday and valentine's day again. Hopefully he will be here for our anniversary!

Nixon and Noah are keeping me busy and driving me up the wall! Such is the life of boys! Noah just had his 3rd birthday and I can't believe he is already 3!! It seems like only a few weeks ago at this point that I was driving to the hospital on Christmas morning and in the afternoon there he was! He is such a funny kid... even when he is mad...it makes me laugh and keeps me sane! Both the boys keep asking Kaylen and I for "a baby Carter...." [our friend just had a baby and his name is Carter...] except Nixon wants a "baby Carter sister." Funny kids huh?!

My New Year's resolution [unofficially because I don't do those] is to keep hitting the gym and making sure it hits me back! We have had a membership to the YMCA for a few months now and between the holidays and what not I haven't gone as much as I want but I have dropped about 13 pounds now and I am trying to build my knee back up as well as my asthmatic endurance. So hopefully this time next year, I will be back down to the 130 area. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Anyway.... Here are some more recent pix from the holidays and what not!!

"those kids"

2009-12-20T17:33:00.003-05:00

So today at church was the Christmas primary program. Nixon gets up with the rest of the primary kids and Noah was quite upset that he couldn't go. One of the primary teachers noticed this and said Noah could go up too. He gets up there and has no idea what is going on since he is still in nursery and has not been properly updated on the singing of the Christmas songs. Nixon, the good big brother/taddle-tale that he is noticed this... "DAD! DADDDDDYYYY!! NOAH ISN'T SINGING!!!" This is what we hear...we were in almost the back row! Nice right?! Noah then says "HI DADDY!!" and they continue to wave and cheese it up for the rest of the congregation. Needless to say, our ward thought it was pretty funny... we officially have "those" kids in the primary programs. sweet! :)

It's Christmastime Again!!

2009-12-15T10:38:00.002-05:00

2009 has been some kind of year! In April, Kaylen came home from a 9 month deployment [yay!], we took the kids to Disney World in Orlando, FL., I finished my associates degree, we got a new dog, bought our first house, and got a new car. Not to mention all the day to day craziness! Overall it has been a great year and it went by way too quick!

Family trip to the "pun'kin patch"

2009-10-11T12:20:00.003-04:00

So as far as I can recall, I have never been to a pumpkin patch...Mom, I may just not remember...so we decided to take the boys to a local place, Taylor Farm's because they have never been to one as well. They had a blast! We walked away with 12 pumpkins and an ear of Indian corn for my fall festive table arrangement! Yay. Since we are in the new house and have a real dining room I really want to go all out for fall and Christmastime this year... and from now on. So we'll see what I can come up with!

Noah had a blast with the pumpkins, he thought they were all balls that could be kicked and thrown around.

Nixon wanted to get the biggest pumpkin he could find...and carry. He managed to move about 1 foot at a time with one pumpkin, then drop it and start over until he got it over to me and I had to tell him no because it was too big! He was a little ticked at me for that!

All in all we had a great day. We were able to spend some time together as a family, get some great pictures and play with baby goats...what could be better! It was especially fun because Kaylen will not be with us again this Halloween...or next year either...yay for the Navy...SIKE!

So....

2009-09-10T21:35:00.002-04:00

I know it has been forever since I got on this blog and updated....my bad! We have been running around for the last little while trying to get all of our stuff taken care of. On August 19th, Kaylen and I became first time homeowners! YAY!! We had been looking since April at houses and changed our criteria so many different times. We decided on a brand new house in May and 2 weeks before closing, Kaylen and I both felt the "urge" to back out of that house. It was a long drawn out ordeal but we were able get out from under it. We then found another house and the bank decided to give it to someone else. With all of that stress, we opted to stop looking at actual homes and to start looking at townhomes.

We were able to remain in Virginia Beach [about 20 minutes from our old place] but get closer to Kaylen's work and his brother Kyle's work as well [Kyle now lives with us]. So we are still close to our friends and close to the guys work...a win win situation! The house is 2137 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 1 car garage, formal diningroom, back yard w/storage. It was built in 1974 and needs some upgrading, but the overall is in excellent condition and we are excited to get the tax credit back so that I can get my new kitchen! I promise I will get some pix up soon, but I have been the only one for the most part unpacking and well...let's just say... we're not all done yet. So be patient with me and I will keep everyone updated on the remodel and all that good stuff!

Another new thing....NOAH IS POTTY TRAINED!!! For those of you that have met "little" Noah, you know that he is a VERY strong willed child and will not do anything if it does not benefit him or make him happy... so at almost 3 years old, he now says "I go pee my weenie...." and uses the restroom! YAY!! no more diapers!!! Happy day! He still does poo's in his underware though.... but we're getting there!

Haircut...

2009-07-06T20:13:00.002-04:00

Although Noah got his hair trimmed while Aunt Sara was here... we decided that with the heat and the length of his hair...it was time to cut it off! Sad! I know! I couldn't even sit out there the entire time...it was too much! His hair had been growing [with a trim here and there] for almost a full year...and now...it's gone and I have a hard time telling Nixon from Noah.... oh well...he's still a cutie and is much happier to have the hair out of his face while he is out playing.

Family Vacation!

2009-06-24T13:43:00.007-04:00

For the first time all of my mom's grandkids were together this last week! Anjie, Kassie, Nixon, Noah, Brennen and Lucas. Jim, Sara and Lucas flew into D.C. on last Monday and toured around up there for a few days while Alisa, Pete and the kids flew into Norfolk and hung out with us for a day until we all drove up to D.C. to get Jim and the fam.

Together we all went to the beach and to Jim and Sara's hotel's pool...super fun! We celebrated my 25th birthday, it was the first birthday in 5 years that I was able to be with anyone from my side of the family, which was really nice. Thanks Alisa for baking my cake...oh how I love funfetti!! We also spent Father's Day together and took the guys out to a buffett, needless to say, Pete won! All the kiddo's were able to run around with each other and cause a little havoc every where they went!

Over all I think we had a great time and that it was maybe too short! We will have to do it again sometime! Thanks for coming out guys!

Newness...

2009-06-02T09:40:00.005-04:00

So lately I have been really slacking in the blogging department...sorry guys! In the last two months, Kaylen has come home from deployment, we took a two week [much needed]vacation to Orlando, FL., we bought a house, Kaylen spent some time in NYC for Navy Fleet Week, I finished my Criminal Justice degree, Noah started [kinda] potty training and Nixon learned to ride his bike without training wheels...

We also took new family pictures, they all turned out so good and we got such a good deal on them! Hope you all enjoy!

A few pix from the Disney trip

2009-05-01T13:28:00.001-04:00

update

2009-02-22T21:41:00.003-05:00

So....it has been 31 weeks [this tuesday] since Kaylen left on deployment. That's right...THIRTY-ONE!! He has about 5 weeks left....YAY!!! I seriously am sooooo [beyond] done with this single parent stuff [mom... I don't know how you did it!] The kids are excited that "daddy's home soon and we got to see Mickey Mouse!!" Personally, I think they are more excited to go see Mickey! lol.

Anyway...Kaylen just turned 24 on the 2.21...HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!! The best present was to have him back in Spain for his birthday!! He had been in Israel for a little over a month believe you me...I was ready to have him out of there. He is back in Spain now, on safe ground and I couldn't be happier!!

I have been busy trying to get my schoolwork done, I only have 13 more weeks and I AM DONE!!! I totally have "senioritious" and this last little stretch is KiLLin me!!! I've been sick on and off for the last...well... FOREVER it feels like...and I just can't seem to keep focus on anything lately. Oh well, I will get through it!

Well even though I haven't updated in a bit, I really don't have much....so uh...I'm out!!

Been a while...here's some new pix

2009-02-22T21:09:00.004-05:00

Kaylen on the news

2009-02-04T00:03:00.002-05:00

This is really short and they got his time in service wrong, but it's cool anyway! LOL

This is why the soldiers' fight...

2009-02-02T21:41:00.002-05:00

This is from Kaylen [referred to as 'butters'] and his friend DeRoller. It is an amazing story and not to be taken lightly. It really touched these 'big bad soldiers' in an amazing way.

"Today a little boy, maybe 4 or so, made me feel like I didn't get what the United States Military means to others. Butters and I were in the Israeli BX here and ready to check out. A little boy was standing at the register with his little soda flavored sucker, talking to the man behind the counter in Hebrew. Butters and I just stood by waiting for him to finish up. The little boy looked over at us waiting for him and, just gave us a little smile. Butters smiled back and gave him the thumbs up and, I smiled and gave him a wave. He said something else to the cashier then turned back and held his hand up for a high five. Butters hooked him up and the boy gave us thumbs up. He turned back to the man and said something in Hebrew again and turned back to us with a big smile. The cashier said, "he said, 'the Americans are here to protect us' ", "they teach him that in school." I felt like, wow, this little guy looks up to us. Maybe I've been being selfish. This little boy thinks I'm here to help him and his family stay safe. I thought I was here for me and my family. Looking back, I guess I didn't get it before. I think I get it now! My family isn't the only one counting on me and, I do this for more than just them."

New puppy!

2009-01-20T23:03:00.002-05:00

So I got our new puppy today! She is an 8 week old Rat Terrier...I named her sugar...Kaylen doesn't like it, but he didn't give any helpful advice and he's not here... so I WIN!! HaHa! Juliet, my 9 month old Rat Terrier is getting used to this "little thing" running at her heels. After her brother Romeo died a few months ago, she really needs a playmate, so I hope these 2 girls become good friends!

My new "horse"

2009-01-19T17:52:00.002-05:00

Last night Noah decided my dog... [a small rat terrier] was a horse. He kept trying to pin her down to one stationary spot and sit on her back. Needless to say, Juliet did not like that! I kept telling him to get off of her, then I got smart and got the camera. It was actually pretty funny! He kept trying to ride her today also! Noah is a funny kid, he gets so mad when Juliet escapes his little grip and doesn't want to be mounted up!

My Babies

2009-01-16T22:54:00.003-05:00

Remember Kaylen in your prayers

2009-01-12T00:13:00.007-05:00

Kaylen is now a "boots-on-the ground" soldier. Please remember to keep him in your prayers as he is on the front lines in EXTREMELY dangerous situations and in a very volatile place. Thanks.

You know they say a soldier's wife gives up everything she has; she signed up for this life, she signed up for this man.

She tucks the babies in, then looks up to the sky; she wishes on that star, and tries hard to not cry.

And when that soldier's wife, goes to bed at night; she says a silent prayer, that things will be alright.

That soldier is her life, he's all she ever had; they have two handsome boys, who love and miss their dad.

As the war keeps on, and he's kept from his home; this soldier's wife goes on, so no one ever knows.

One day he will come home, to the family he has missed; he'll hug his little boys, and give his wife a kiss.

As a soldier's wife I know, this is a long dark road; to the ones who've gone before, and the ones not coming home.

May the Lord bless the soldier's wives, Keep them safe and calm their fears; For it is only He, who will calm and dry the tears.

--Jenny Potter, 1.11.09

Noah James Potter

2008-12-24T17:43:00.005-05:00

Two years ago I was in so much pain and the "lovely" Navy Medical Center here in Virginia kept sending me away. I was a month early and they kept telling me "oh, you'll know when you are in labor."

Christmas Eve, Kaylen and I got all the gifts out after Nixon was asleep and we went to bed. I couldn't lay down because of all the pain so I went to the couch and slept sitting up in the corner of the couch. Around 3 am, I went in and woke Kaylen and Nixon telling them "we need to let Nixon open presents because I am in labor and I have to go to the hospital." So we fumbled through Christmas morning for Nixon and I was having heavy contractions, pausing on occasion for a picture.

By the time we got out to the hospital, [about a 30 minute drive] I was at a 9 and believe you me... I was ready to have a baby! So at 1:57pm[we got there at 5:30am] Noah James Potter announced his presence weighing in at 7lbs 5.5 oz and 19 in long.

Noah was the best Christmas present I have ever gotten! Happy 2nd Birthday Noah!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Pictures with Santa!!

2008-12-17T16:15:00.002-05:00

A Military Christmas....

2008-12-16T00:28:00.005-05:00

2437 miles from home, from mom, brothers, sisters, neices and nephews. 3766 from my husband and father to my kids. 5 months down, 3 to go. nixon's birthday, halloween, thanksgiving, christmas/noah's birthday, new year's, kaylen's birthday, 5 year wedding anniversary.... all not celebrated as a family... all seperated by the sea.

In a typical family this is the time of year where families get together and open gifts, give hugs, take pictures and make memories. In my family, this is the time of year that we order more customs declaration forms, buy more packing tape and wrap even the stocking stuffers so that "when daddy opens it, he will be surprised." I hustle to the post office with the kids in tow, so that I can stand in a line and send out my packages to an FPO address with "MA3 POTTER, KAYLEN COLE" on the front. The people in the post office have seen us so often in the last 5 months they know my kids names.

Do I regret the situation that my family is in this year and throughout this holiday season? No. Do I miss my husband and best friend? Yes. Would I change anything? No. All of our families will be together in one way or another this holiday season...except for my own. Please remember that when you are sitting down around the tree opening gifts with the kids or whoever you may be with... remember the hundreds of families that are just like my own. The families with parents overseas protecting our freedoms. Giving us the right to celebrate Christmas as we please. Remember those soldier's and that they have families back home that are alone during the holidays, trying to make sure the kids and everyone else is taken care of. Remember them... to add them to your prayers and thoughts. We don't want to be
forgotten when the rest of the family gets together.

A Soldier's Christmas

Twas the night before christmas,
he lived all alone,
in a one bedroom house made of
plaster and stone.

I had come down the chimney
with presents to give,
and to see just who
in this home did live.

I looked all about,
a strange sight i did see,
no tinsel, no presents,
not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle,
just boots filled with sand,
on the wall hung pictures
of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,
awards of all kinds,
a sober thought
came through my mind.

For this house was different,
it was dark and dreary,
I found the home of a soldier,
once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,
silent, alone,
curled up on the floor
in this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,
the room in such disorder,
not how i pictured
a United States soldier.

Was this the hero
of whom I'd just read?
curled up on a poncho,
the floor for a bed?

I realized the families
that I saw this night,
owed their lives to these soldiers
who were willing to fight.

Soon round the world,
the children would play,
and grownups would celebrate
a bright Christmas Day.

They all enjoyed freedom
each month of the year,
because of the soldiers,
like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder
how many lay alone,
on a cold Christmas Eve
in a land far from home.

The very thought
brought a tear to my eye,
I dropped to my knees
and started to cry.

The soldier awakened
and I heard a rough voice,
"Santa don't cry,
this life is my choice;

I fight for freedom,
I don't ask for more,
my life is my God,
my Country, my Corps."

The soldier rolled over
and drifted to sleep,
I couldn't control it,
I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,
so silent and still
and we both shivered
from the cold night's chill.

I didn't want to leave
on that cold, dark, night,
this guardian of honor
so willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled over,
with a voice soft and pure,
whispered, "Carry on Santa,
it's Christmas Day, all is secure."

One look at my watch,
and I knew he was right.
"Merry Christmas my friend,
and to all a good night."

USAF Lt Col Bruce Lovely wrote this poem Christmas Eve 1993 while assigned to US Forces Korea

Elf Dance

2008-12-08T15:37:00.002-05:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Christmas cookies...

2008-12-08T15:14:00.005-05:00

Today I made cookies and the boys decorated them... this is the result when you place a knife with three colors of frosting in front of a 2 and 3 year old: COOKIES WITH WAY TOOOOOOO MUCH FROSTING!

It makes me sick to just look at these cookies! Nixon was heaping the frosting on the cookies while Noah was dipping the knife in the frosting and proceeded to lick the knife clean. His cookies had a tiny bit of frosting, but they're mostly blank still! The boys had a good time and now they are running amuck in the house bouncin' off the walls and chasing each other! Way to go me.... :|

New Pix

2008-11-29T20:59:00.003-05:00

It's been a while....

2008-11-29T20:31:00.007-05:00

Hmmm.... what is new with the Potter clan?? Let's see... Kaylen has now been gone for 17 weeks and 4 days. It is going by pretty quick I suppose. The impending holidays will sure help! I wish he was here though. It has been 3 years since he was gone for the holidays...the last time he was in Great Lakes, IL at boot camp. The boys and I had Thanksgiving with just us this year, we were going to go to a friend/neighbor's house, but I decided [last minute] to do it at home. It turned out good... duh... I can cook!

Currently, Nixon is in trouble and exiled to his bed while Noah is sitting next to me here in the kitchen literally force feeding me Honeycomb cereal! I can't eat as fast as he is giving! Mom, I am sure you will remember a similar story... mine is just reversed! I keep telling him "thank you, I will get my own..." but that seems to be falling on deaf ears! He also is examining every piece before it goes into his mouth... occasionally he says "football" because he thinks it looks like one! He is a funny kid!

Back to the holidays... Nixon and Noah of course looked like rock stars...

They obviously can't help being so darn cute... look at me! Ha!! Anywho... I have spent the last few days doing the final touch ups on the Christmas decor! My tree has been up for weeks now and the outside was [for the most part] completed today! I am not done though... so no pictures!

Noah's vocabulary is slowly coming along... he cracks me up all the time! The other night at bath time, the boys were in the tub and I was in their room getting their pjs ready when I hear "mommy, Noah is falling out of the tub..." so I go in and I see Noah with his feet in the air above the water, high centered on the side of the tub and his hands on the floor saying "hewp me, hewp me!" It was FANTASTIC!! I got a good laugh out of it!

Halloween Pix

2008-11-06T16:00:00.000-05:00

Yay! Halloween is OVER!!!

2008-11-06T15:26:00.006-05:00

FINALLY! I am so glad that Halloween is now over! Nixon had a great time getting out there and trick-or-treating... Noah ended up in my nephew Wesley's stroller! Noah thought that he was supposed to go up to the people and take what he wanted... and then take some more! It was funny, no one said anything to him. When he realized that was not how it worked, he opted to just sit down on the side walk and go limp every time I tried to pick him up! Oh the character he is!

My brother and sister in law [Kyle and Alisha] along with my nephew Wesley joined us for the wonderful adventure that is trick-or-treating. Kyle was the Scarecrow from Batman, Alisha was a rocker from the 80s and Wesley was a sailor. We joined my friend and neighbor Tatjana and her boys: Teiler (Obi Won star wars clone wars) and Aiden (Iron Man) and set out around our complex. You have to have at least 2 kids to live here and there are over 600 units... do the math... there were children EVERYWHERE!!! I had to buy sooooo much candy! The only good (weird but good) thing is it is actually a law here that no one over 12 can trick or treat and you can only go between 5 and 8 pm. Otherwise it is a class 4 misdemeanour and yes... they do charge children! What the heck is that!??!?

So now, with Halloween out of the way, I can focus on Christmas and Noah's birthday (which IS Christmas!). Everyone knows how I love my Christmas!! So I am excited to get the ball rolling here... which is pretty much only decorating...don't worry that won't happen for a while! I am basically done with all the shopping! Yippee! Oh... and Kaylen can get gifts people!! His address is:

MA3 Potter, Kaylen C.
Sec Det 632
PSC 819 BOX 28
FPO AE 09645

For now this is all I have... enjoy.... pictures from Halloween will be along shortly!

More deployment pix

2008-10-22T11:40:00.000-04:00

Randomness... because I can!

2008-10-22T10:55:00.004-04:00

So recently, I dyed my hair [sorry Sara... it's a box mix! lol]. I am in need of a major change these days... for those that don't know, I have lost 15 pounds in the last 3 months and hopefully more to come! Eventually I will be getting my hair cut but when it's not the trustworthy hands of my sister-in-law Sara... I take a little more time researching where to go and what cut to get.

Noah... is still a cheese ball and he loves being completely random! I was trying to take a picture to send to Kaylen to show him how much weight I have lost and there's Noah behind me [no idea until I looked back at the picture] showing daddy how much weight he has accumulated! It's totally awesome simply because of his rock star Elmo slippers!

And then of course there is Nixon! He tries to be goofy... and he succeeds most of the time... he loves to take weird pictures for some reason... this is his classic look. I take the picture and he says "I wanna see mommy...wanna see!" If he approves of it, he laughs... if not... "take another one mommy, it's no good." All in all, they keep me laughing.

Iron Man and Spiderman...

2008-10-16T11:29:00.012-04:00

Nixon has decided to be Iron Man this year and I have decided for Noah that he will be Spiderman:

Because of my severe dislike for the holiday... we did not carve pumpkins. Someone with the same feelings as I have must have invented this wonderful alternative to pumpkin carving... little eyes, mouth, nose and ears just like you would use for Mr. Potato Head! No nasty pumpkin seeds or rotting pumpkin smell! Sweet!
The boys had a great time rolling the pumpkins off the porch and into the parking lot [Noah]. They also loved making holes in the pumpkins with the little pieces. Every time we go outside, Nixon sits with "his" pumpkins. He rearranges them to his liking and plays with them like they are toys. They [the pumpkins] have conversations and "play time." Overall, the boys are enjoying getting ready for the holiday... Nixon keeps trying to get some candy that for some reason... I bought rediculously early! We don't eat candy... so that was a bad idea on my part!

Kaylen has been gone almost 3 months now... it went by fairly quick the first 2 months, now it is just dragging on and on and on! We are surviving... especially now that Kaylen has his computer with webcam... I bought a webcam too and the boys LOVE to talk to daddy. Noah still gets a little confused when he sees daddy in front of him and can hear him... but he's not actually here! He just says "hi" over and over.
That is all I have for now.... so stay tuned for more pix and more updates!

deployment pix

2008-10-16T11:24:00.001-04:00

2008-10-01T00:02:00.004-04:00

Photos of Kaylens Deployment so far....

2008-09-30T09:27:00.011-04:00

Kaylen recently spent about a month aboard the USNS Pathfinder. It is a non-combatant ship owned by the US Navy but the crew is civilian oceanographers. Kaylen and his team from Mobile Security Squadron 6 DET 632 provided security for those civilians. After 30 days of not talking to Kaylen, I was going crazy... but Kaylen is glad to be back on land... and in Spain. He was able to stop in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece [all the same place] and also in Sigonella, Italy [Sicily].

Apart from sleeping on a cot in a deep freezer... yes... a DEEP freezer for almost the entire time, he enjoyed himself! Here are some pictures he took. He is having a hard time getting them all up loaded to myspace, so I am doing it on this end. Trying to get all the pix up as they come along to me. If you have questions about where the pix are taken...just ask and I'll get Kaylen to answer! Cause frankly... I'm not sure... good idea as to where they are but I don't know!

2008-09-25T22:51:00.000-04:00

Noah has learned how to defeat his "big" brother!

Me and Nixon

Me and Noah

Best friends!

2 months down....6 to go!

2008-09-25T22:17:00.000-04:00

Like the title says... 2 months down, 6 to go. Kaylen has now been on deployment for 2 entire months and I have to say, having him gone has been more stressful than I imagined. I have not been sleeping well, my schoolwork is becoming a struggle and I feel like I don't have enough time for my babies! This Navy wife business is hard!

Let's see here.... Noah is starting to talk more and more everyday. He loves to say "hi" and wave to everyone he sees. If Nixon or I take a toy from him he says "hey" [long and drawn out though...so it's funny] He is now 21 months and is proving to be a fiesty little guy! He actually bit Nixon right next to his eye today! Ouch! Nixon did not appriciate that at all! Nixon is turning in to quite the little helper...which is nice. He helps me with the laundry and folding the clothes. First he folds "hot dog... then hamburger." He loves [for some reason] to help change Noah's diapers... the bad ones. He cleans his room, makes his bed and just really loves to help! But the best thing about being home with my boys all day is... snuggle time! My boys are the best at that game and I love it!

Overall, we are missing Kaylen and wishing he was home. Life is still good though and we can't wait to see family again and all the little babies that came to us this year! I wanna squeeze all my nephews! Well... I would just like to see the majority of them!

Update

2008-08-08T13:11:00.000-04:00

So here in Virginia, I am just starting a new block of classes. I will be done with my AA in April and have a degree in Criminal Justice. I can't wait for it to be over!!! I'm sure someday I will be grateful that I went back to school, today is NOT that day!

Nixon just celebrated his 3rd birthday on the 5th of August. We were sad that his daddy couldn't be here to celebrate with him. He had a Transformer party and about 7 kids showed up. It was fun and he got a lot of cool things.

Noah is getting bigger everyday and can say: kiss, cheese (like for a picture, not food), and daddy. It's fun watching him grow!

Kaylen just started his 8.5 month deployment to Spain on July 30th. It will be rough to have him gone, but we will all manage!