Homecoming, Camping, and Birthdays

We are eternally grateful for the Lord's hand in Mike's safe return home from Afghanistan. Within Mike's first week back we celebrated James' 3rd birthday (though it took us a week to convince him he was three) and as soon as we could get leave we went camping at Mammoth Cave, KY. It was a bit of a spontaneous decision but was a ton of fun. Enjoy the photos.

It's been nearly a month since we have all been back together and I (Mike) cannot express how good it feels to be home. I believe the Lord when He states that "men are that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25). 'Might' is the key word. Joy, true happiness, is found in Christ and striving to live His Gospel. I am grateful for the peace and freedom its truths bring into my home, and the knowledge that as I draw near to Him...He too will draw near unto me (James 4:8, D&C 88:63).

Waiting for our Daddy to arrive.

 

James helped me with the glitter  for our signs

 



James helped with the glitter:)

More waiting...his pants are way too big:)

more waiting



The kids were so good while we waited for Mike.



Home at last! The look on James' face captures the way he was feeling...very serious and worried that his Daddy might get back on the airplane and leave again. It didn't help that while we waited outside the hanger to watch the soldiers get off the plane that we never saw Mike. James was so upset and started to cry. When we take Mike to work he still calls it "Afghanistan". It must be hard for a three year old to understand it all. We are just so very glad to have our Daddy home.



James' birthday cake. someday i'll get the hang of lettering on bday cakes



After weeks of telling me he wanted an angry bird cake, James decided he wanted a spider cake...not sure why. Funny kid.


The center of the cake.

One excited little boy.

We are starting him young. Go cougs!

His own tools to help daddy with projects...also starting him young.


Legos were James' favorite birthday gift. I found the whole bag and the table at the thrift store...shhh, don't tell:)

We went swimming on James' birthday and he loved it! He is a little fish in the water and has no fear...which scares me a little. We didn't get pictrues of anyone but Mommy and Lily.



 Lily hanging out with Daddy. We just love her chunkiness.

Sweet, beautiful Lily.

 

Also starting him young...watching Nacho Libre.

 

 

Driving into Mammoth Cave Park.

Setting up our tent.

James decided he was going to join Lily in the pack and play. We put a blanket over the top to keep the ticks from landing on Lily...they were falling out of the trees like crazy. I have know idea how none of us got a tick after two days of camping.

Roasting marshmallows...probably the highlight of camping for James:)

 

James having fun with Daddy.

 

smores!

Lily just hanging out.

Yumm!

Father and Son.

Waiting to hike down to the cave.

Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world. One tourist in the 1800s described it as "grand, gloomy, and peculiar". This picture doesn't do it justice, but that description is very accurate.

At the cave mouth, looking up.

At the cave mouth, looking down.

Outside the visitor center. We had an awesome experience with our tour guide, Jerry Bransford. He was a direct (5th generation) desendent of Materson Bransford, one of the first guides at Mammoth Cave. His story was so very poignant. We were lucky to have him as our guide. Here is a link to the page: http://www.nps.gov/maca/historyculture/black-history.htm

Staying cool while camping.

Pretty baby!

She knows the good stuff.

 

James loves his trains...these are a few of the old passenger cars that would bring tourists to Mammoth Cave.

All tired out.

They both slept all the way home.

 

Seeing the Blessings

Last week I had an experience that taught me a simple, yet powerful spiritual lesson. I decided to share it in hopes that it will (like me) help someone else feel and see the blessings of the Lord in their life.

 

While driving on the interstate at a high speed I narrowly missed crashing into the car in front of me. I'm not sure how I didn't hit it or how the car from behind did not rear-end me. I do know the Lord heard my prayer that morning that my children and I would be kept safe while traveling to and from Nashville.

 

As I continued driving home, I thought of my children - both of whom were asleep in the backseat for the entire experience. They were unaware of what had transpired, but had been kept safe by the power of the Lord. Then the thought came to me: just like my children are unaware of the blessing of safety we had while driving, so often I am unaware of the blessings the Lord pours out upon my family and me. Yet, because I am unaware does not mean the blessings are not real and ever present. Rather, if I am willing to open my heart and spiritual eyes the Lord will show unto me the many ways he blesses my life.

 

I know the Lord kept my children and me safe that afternoon and I feel so blessed to know where that miraculous blessing came from.

 

- - - - - - - - - -

 

"But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."

Matthew 13:16

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
Alma 37:37

Twenty-five

Today I celebrated my twenty-fifth birthday. Throughout the day I have experienced the gamut of emotions and feelings - tired, happy, content, impatient, sad, blessed, loved - just to name a few. As my day is drawing to a close I have reflected upon these feelings and the experiences behind them and come to the powerful (yet simple) conclusion, my happiness is not dependent upon my circumstances. I have the ability to choose what I will dwell upon and where I will focus my energy. I get to choose whether I will be impatient with my children, unhappy because I am far from home, lonely and sad because my husband is away. I get to choose to laugh about my children's antics, celebrate the wonderful friends and neighbors I have, and give thanks that my husband will be returning soon. I get to choose to be happy and I am so very grateful for that.

So, tonight I can honestly say despite a deployed husband, sick son, teething baby, waking up before six o’clock, and canceled birthday plans, I have had the most wonderful and happy birthday. I am so grateful to have spent it with my sweet babies and look forward to celebrating my twenty-sixth birthday with the love of my life and our children.

- - - - - - - -

In honor of my twenty-five years upon this earth, I am counting twenty-five blessings I am grateful for. Some are lighthearted and others serious, but all are sincere…and not in any specific order.

Mail – Nothing compares to receiving a birthday card in the mailbox, a package from Afghanistan, and Down East Outfitter catalogsJ

James and Lily – I am grateful to be their mother. Every day they teach me more and more.

My husband – He is my best friend…A righteous father and husband. I am blessed.

Parents – Truly, I have been born of goodly parents.

Gym – It is wonderful to spend a little alone time there every week.

Medicine – Tylenol and Ibuprofen are small miracles. I am glad my kiddos can have their pains lessened and fevers subdued.

Sisters – What can I say; Heavenly Father knew I needed my two best friends to be with me foreverJ

Brothers – Big brothers are the best, and it is even better when I get a phone call from them. Which happened this week.

Good friends and neighbors – Military life would be unbearable without them. I have made so many here at Ft Campbell, and I am grateful for each one.

Missionaries – Sorry elders, but I love having the sisters back at Ft Campbell. Thanks Sister Vandenberg and Sister Giles for stopping by this evening.

Flowers – Last week I saw the very first bulbs coming up. It is wonderful to see little spots of yellow and purple against the drab winter backdrop.

Internet – I am so very grateful I get to hear my husband’s voice and see him face-to-face.

Jesus Christ – I know He is my Savior and Redeemer. I am ever grateful to Him.

Crafts/Projects – They are so much fun to do“with James”. He cuts up any paper I allow him and then I trace his hand on the back of the project… he loves it and so do I!

Tasty food – Sweet, savory, fresh. I love good food.

The tropics – I love fruit (and my smoothie in the morning) and I am so glad there are places in the world that are warm enough to grow fruit while it is winter where I live. There is a cantaloupe from Honduras on my counter right now.

Quiet moments – They bring peace to me.

Good books – I only wish I had more time to read the many, many good books there are out there.

Grandparents – Someday, I hope that I will be as wise, kind, and loving as they are.

Seasons – No matter which season it is, I can honestly say I am excited for the next. Come on spring…I can feel you in the air!

Restored Gospel – My life would be so very different without it.

New sheets – I bought new sheets for my birthdayJ

Pacifiers – A few days ago I couldn’t find any of Lily’s pacifiers and it wasn’t a good thing. Poor, baby…she needs them to stay asleep. And I need her to stay asleep so I can get things done (and sleep, too)!

Hot water – For showers, washing dishes, cleaning messes, etc. I am so glad I don’t have to heat it over a wood burning stove.

Disposable Diapers – Need I say more?

A Long Overdue Update: Deployment and Lily's Birth

Well, folks… it has been a really loooong time since I’ve updated the blog. There is quite a bit to talk about, but I’ll just focus on the two biggies: the birth of our daughter and Mike’s deployment. I've also included a few other pictures.

Enjoy! I’ll be better about keeping you all up to date! Also...please ignore the misspellings and grammar errors, I've been looking at the post for so long now I don't even see them:)

Deployment

Mike deployed to Afghanistan in November. His unit left in August but he was giving permission to deploy after Lily was born. Mike is assigned to the 101^st Combat Aviation Brigade here at Fort Campbell. While deployed he is the OIC of the AMR Cell for TF Eagle Assault. So….that means he plans 2-days out all of the UH60/CH47 PAX/cargo missions for their AO. He also coordinates AH-64 coverage. His role is met with mixed feelings through the ranks because he is a 2LT and an AS3 Plans OIC (normally a CPT position).  He is super, super busy. Which he says is a good thing because there isn’t much to keep him occupied if he isn’t working. (psst---havent had a day off of 12+hr shift in 2.5 months----mike).

We get to Skype with him nearly every day, which has made the separation so much easier. I feel so blessed to live in a time when we can so easily communicate. At first, James didn’t understand that we were talking with Mike on the computer, but has gotten the hang of it. He recognizes the Skype ringtone and get so excited when his Daddy is calling. His newest thing is to ‘play’ with his Daddy over the computer. James loves bows and arrows so Mike drew a target and keeps it with him; when James wants to shoot bows and arrows Mike pulls the target out and they can ‘play’ with each other. Also, Mike draws coloring pages and sends them to us. James colors them and we mail them back to Mike. It is just one more way we try to stay connected with each other.

At first, the separation was very hard for James and I, especially because I had a new baby to take care of and poor James wasn’t getting nearly as much attention as he needed after his Daddy left. But as time has gone by we’ve settled into a pattern, life has it’s rhythm, and we just keep going. I am so grateful for all the prayers on our behalf. Truly, Mike and I feel them buoy us up.

Mike will be returning home this spring, a new 1LT. Its about time!!! Really, the time really is going by so fast and Mike will be home before long. We are getting so excited!

Saying goodbye.

"I Love You" from Afghanistan

---I wanted to add that I am extremely grateful for the pkges/letters sent my way. I am very, very, very busy and have fallen behind in correspondence. Sorry...My thanks and love to you all---Mike 

Lily’s Birth Story

A year ago (February 2012) we learned we were expecting our second baby. We were so very excited! The due date was set for October 25^th. There was only one drawback, Mike was slated to deploy with his unit in August. I had always felt I could go anywhere and do anything the Army asked of us if Mike could just be there for the birth of all our children; I was particularly sad about the way things were turning out. It wasn’t until summer, after Mike’s block leave, we learned he would be able to deploy late, after Lily was born. We were so happy, and frankly, I was relived! Mike’s unit deployed during the month of August and he remained on rear detachment.

As the due date approached we became more and more excited, but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect having been induced with James. I had been cramping for several weeks and at my last appointment before Lily was born I was dilated to a three. But I wasn’t expecting to deliver before my due date because I had been overdue with James; and I didn’t want to have the baby before my mom was in town. I was worried about the possibility of having to leave James overnight. That would have been hard for him…and whoever watched him for us!

 In the early hours of Ocotber 24^th I awoke to some cramping, but went back to sleep(they were contractions, but having been induced the first time I didn’t realize it). At this point I was starting to think I might not have the baby as late as I did with James, but I didn’t think I was going to deliver within twelve hours! That morning I said to Mike, “What if we have the baby today?” And he replied, “Don’t say that… you’re making me all jittery!” Hahaha! Little did we know!

That day Mike didn’t have to go into work because he had several last minute, pre-deployment things to take care of. So we decided we would run the errands together as a family. While we were out, we decided to stop by the hospital on post and find out exactly where labor and delivery was. We really procrastinated that oneJ (Also, as a side note…the nurse who gave us the tour that morning was actually present at the delivery.) We also stopped to let James see the decommissioned airplanes and helicopters on post. By this time, I was starting to feel rather uncomfortable and told Mike it was time for us to go home.

We got home around lunchtime and I went upstairs to take a nap, a little while later Mike and James took a nap also. I was still having contractions but they weren’t coming consistently enough for me to worry about timing them. And I kept thinking, “Ah, I’m not having a baby today. I didn’t have James early and besides mom won’t be here for a few more days…so I can’t have the baby.” While Mike and James were sleeping I went to go visit a friend (who had just had a baby of her own). While driving home I called my Mom and told her what was happening. She later told me that she know I was in labor and would most likely have the baby pretty soon, but was going to let me figure that out for myself!

When I got home Mike decided to go into work for a few hours to take care of some things. James and I tinkered around the house. All the while, I was still having contractions. It was getting later in the afternoon and the intensity of the contractions were increasing, and I was starting to think I would probably have the baby sometime that night. I was still worried about how James would do if we had to leave in the middle of the night. I just wanted to have James eat dinner, take a bath,s and Mike put him to bed so we could have our friends come over and just stay at the house while he slept. Quickly the contractions started getting harder, and I decided to lay down on the couch and time how long they were lasting. They were lasting a little over a minute and about five or six minutes apart. At this point I realized I was going to have the baby, and pretty soon… finally, it took me all day to realize this! So I called Mike and told him he needed to come home.

While he was driving home I decided to take a warm bath while I let James watch cartoons. By the time Mike got home it was go time! So much for my plans of having James all ready for bed! While Mike put last minute items in the hospital bag I got dressed. He put the bag and James in the car and then helped me get into the car. We dropped James off at our friend’s house (thankfully it was on the way to the hospital). While driving to the hospital I continued to time my contractions, they were getting much closer together, about two minutes apart. We arrived at the hospital a little after 6:00. I’m still not sure why, but it took about ten minutes before a nurse took us back. (A good brother in the branch (Michael Crane) showed up with dinner, CPTs rank, and a helping priesthood hand which may have been why 1-we didnt deliver in the waiting room and 2-why they sped up getting is in a room---mike).  Thank goodness I had Mike, I don’t know what I would have done without him…he kneeled right there on the floor with me and talked me through the contractions! Finally they took us into the monitoring room where I changed and saw a mid-wife. When she checked, I was dilated to an eight. They quickly took us into our labor/delivery room and she told me that when my water broke I could start pushing.

As we came into the room I looked at the clock and it was 6:35pm. I told myself not to look at the clock again because I didn’t want to know how slowly the minutes were passing! At this point the contractions were right on top of each other. Mike was right there with me; helping me relax and breath through contractions. He even cracked a joke about the sacred birthing stones we visited while in Hawaii. (To learn more follow this link: http://www.hawaiistateparks.org/parks/oahu/kukaniloko.cfm) No, he didn’t get me to laugh while delivering a baby (one of his life goals), but he did manage to get me to smile! I was feeling the need to push but my water hadn’t broke yet. At this point I was starting to get a little loopy because I had entered that crazy place… labor-land. I told Mike, either I was going to start pushing or he needed to get me an epidural! Very soon afterwards my water broke and Mike ran out into the hall to find a nurse (it was just him and I in the room). The mid-wife and nurses came in, put their gloves on, took the bottom of the bed off, and gave me the green light. I pushed three times and our baby was born! Our beautiful Lillian Megan came into the world on Wednesday, October 24^th at 7:02pm, weighing 8lbs 8oz, and measuring 20.5 inches long.

Truly, Lily is a miracle and the greatest joy. We feel so very blessed that Mike was here for her birth. It is the greatest honor to be James and Lily’s parents, and we are so grateful to our Heavenly Father for entrusting us with this sacred responsibility.  

Smile, Lily...your first close up.

Beautiful angel.

Proud Daddy.

Three redheads in a bed.

James loving Lily.

Going Home! Doesn't Lily look so happy in the car seat!

Summer 2009, Mike at the birthing stones in Hawaii:)

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A few more photos:

Over Christmas... James  at the tide pools in San Diego. He loved the rocks, sea weed, starfish, sand, sticks, crabs...he love it all!

Over Christmas... falling asleep next to each other.

Valentine's Day... will you be my Valentine?

They really do love each other!

James and Mommy all ready for church.

Before bathtime.

Hello Beautiful!

Attempting to get a picture before church!

My sweet boy at naptime.

Trains, trains, trains and more trains:)