just me and the girls

Chris left for Talladega on Thursday. I spent the next few days after that entertaining them and spending some quality time with my girls. It feels like we're always on the go so it was nice to be alone with them for four days. On Saturday I took them shopping, then to lunch, and to a movie that night. We saw Coraline on base and they loved it. On Sunday I got Kaylee a new bike and I took the girls out to ride for a bit. Then we washed the car and as I vacuumed it out I let them go to town with the hose. Needless to say they were drenched by the time we went back in. I can't remember the last time I went into a weekend with no plans and just did whatever. Tomorrow Kaylee has a field trip to the Jump Zone. I'm so excited because I actually have a chance to chaperone. Chris has a night flight so he's on Ava-sitting duties while I go. The school year is coming to an end and I definitely can't wait!!

military wife

You would think that growing up with a father who was in the Navy for 30 years would prepare me for the life style I live now. But nothing can quite prepare you for all the sacrifices and heartbreak a wife has to endure. Chris' first deployment came after we were married for a year. It was difficult because I was in a risky pregnancy and I wasn't capable of doing much. Thankfully my parents took care of me for the 3 months until he returned. I still missed him like crazy. I cried every night. My heart literally ached because I was without him. Since then we've only experienced being separated for a couple months at most. It was easier those times because he was in the states for training and we could talk every day and all day unless he was in class. But this deployment will be different. He is scheduled to leave in August for 4 months. Surprisingly I'm hoping he goes to Iraq. Iraq is more established and is actually safer. Phone calls and emails to each other might not be every day but more frequently if he were there. The other scenario is Afghanistan. He's not quite sure how Afghanistan will be but its more difficult flying because of the mountains, canyons, etc. We spoke to a friend who got back from Iraq in February and said the bombings and raids have significantly dropped since last year. His safety is my number one concern. Secondly, its my girls. They are too young to understand why daddy will have to be gone so long and why they can't talk to him every day. I don't want them to be disappointed. I don't want to see their hearts break. They love their daddy and miss him when he's on a long flight. I can't imagine how it will be for them to not see him for 4 months. And I can't even think about myself. To sleep in an empty bed every night. Wake up, take care of my girls, and experience things with them that he can't be a part of. Its times like these I want to pack up, get out, and go back home. But I support my husband and I commend him for his strength. We were in college when 9/11 happened. I remember Chris, Brian, and myself standing in the university center and watching the TV's. It was then Chris and Brian jokingly said they would join the military and kick some ass. At the end of that semester Chris didn't register for the next term. He joined the Air Force. When he went to Qatar it wasn't enough for him. Qatar aided the war, but it wasn't the war. He did recruiting and hated it. He said he felt like he wasn't really in the military sitting behind a desk. He wanted to matter, he wanted to leave, he wanted a job that meant more to him. As much as I rag about his job consuming so much time... how do you not love a man who has such integrity and ambition. He wouldn't be the man that I love if he wasn't volunteering to go. And so we enjoy the next few months before he leaves. Atleast he'll be home for Christmas.

2000-2009

I was browsing through some folders on our computer and I came across the pictures we used in our slideshow that was playing on the tv's during our reception. I thought I would share. Hopefully you find it as amusing as I do.

optimistic

Two weeks ago I took Ava to the doctor. My aunt brought to my attention that Ava should not be toe walking at the age of 3. She was diagnosed with a short achilles tendon. The first step is physical therapy. We went for an evaluation a week ago and the therapist said she also needs work on balance and other skills. Ava is now going to physical therapy twice a week. The therapist said they ideally like their dorsiflexion to be 20 degrees. Ava has 12 degrees on her right foot and 10 degrees on her left. Hearing that made me extremely concerned. However, her therapist said she feels very comfortable the therapy will work but also gives no promises. We will continue therapy for 6 weeks and reevaluate. If therapy doesn't work the next step is braces for her legs. And the final straw if that doesn't work is surgery. I'm praying it doesn't have to go to that extent.

I've racked my brain and questioned what happened. I'm so grateful to my aunt because I'm not educated about that aspect and I would have never thought to question her toe walking. I should have paid more attention when she was born. Ava was born a month early but was a healthy 6lbs 9oz. We were so happy that her lungs were good and we could take her home. From our joy I might have overlooked the one thing they questioned about her preterm birth. They had said her feet seemed underdeveloped. How that is possible, I have no idea. How they noticed, still I have no idea. But it does make me wonder if thats why her tendon is too short or if its just a coincidence. All this aside, Ava is a smart child. She is learning and growing every day.

We just took her 3 year portraits and in one photo we encouraged her to tip toe. Haha, our little ballerina.

call me crazy

Rule number 1, never buy a man a video game. As usual I go to the store and seriously stock the girls up on toys and goodies for their easter basket. Me being the best wife that I am, decided to make Chris a basket too. Of course I buy a super cute basket that I can reuse as decor. So I fill his with the I Am Legend DVD, a football, Recess bunny rabbit, a huge bar of Mr. Goodbar, fart putty (yes, I said fart putty), and... Tiger Woods 2009 for the WII. He played it all day till we had to leave for Easter dinner at a friends. As he played he cursed and yelled at the game because he says its cheating. I laugh out loud, literally. If this is a preview of whats to come, I'm crazy. So far our WII games are group preferred games. But I show no interest in golf, so I'm assuming he'll hog the WII and I will now have to pry him away when we have things to do. But the girls had an awesome Easter. I love it, it's like a mini-Christmas. They get toys and treats but it comes from the Bunny instead of Santa. hehe

vacation to-do list

Call me crazy, we might have too many lined up. Our goal for this summer alone is San Antonio in June for Kaylee's 5th birthday. A trip to St. Louis in July. A trip to the cabin atleast once this summer, maybe twice if we're lucky. Then we're going back to Jacksonville for my cousin's wedding in November. And I'm trying to set us up on a Disney cruise in December. I swear when it comes to money all I want to do is save. We're sitting pretty on some good savings. Do I really want to dip into it for a cruise? My answer... yes. Life is about living and I fully intend to take advantage of every moment I can do that. And maybe if I'm spoiled enough I can convince Chris to take me to the Bahamas next year. I swear, its the good life.

busy bee

So the problem with vacations are they always leave you itching for another. We're moved into our home. Weird, weird, weird... its really our home. Our names on the mortgage. Its a nice feeling except making that first mortgage payment. Hah. We left for vacation and have returned. It was so nice seeing Disney World through the girls perspective. Last time I was there I was a nagging teenager who was forced to go by my parents. They had the times of their lives which made the trip a success. We visited my brother's family. It was so nice to spend time with my niece and nephew. Not to mention seeing my amazing cousins. And Chris got me the best present ever. A Louis Vuitton bag, which I've always wanted but never thought I would get. Just a icky feeling knowing it costs more than our mortgage. So needless to say, Chris said I can't buy a purse for the next five years. Haha. Well now that we're back and 90% unpacked I thought we'd get a chance to relax. Not quite the case. We have something planned every weekend from now until June. All good things though. Our good friends David and Tina are getting married next month so we have showers and bachelor/ette parties to attend before then. Crawfish festival, Talladega, and Kenny Chesney. All fun stuff, but I definitely can't wait till June so we can sit and relax. Especially since Kaylee will be on summer break. This past year has been so different. Its great to see her going to school and interacting with other children but I've missed spending my days with her. We're going to soak up the summer and I'm going to enjoy every second before the school year starts again.