And the countdown is on!!!

Well, as of today, I can officially say that my husband will be home NEXT WEEK!!! Now, which day...that's a little sketchy. But, next week!!! I talked to a friend of mine who's hubby is with James tonight. She went out to the base tonight because the 1st group of guys arrived. I told her that she is so strong to be able to go show her support like that, knowing that her husband would not be getting off of that plane. Knowing that she would be watching so many other wives and children greet their Marines. That takes a strong person, a great friend. I'd like to think of myself as strong, but I don't know that I could hold it together for that. She went to show her support and I commend her for that. She called me on her way home and told me how wonderful it was to see their homecoming. It made it all so much more real to me. Since having Colton last March, I have not had any trouble falling asleep. Well, tonight (and I'm afraid the next week and half) was a totally different story. I was tossing and turning, watching stuff I've DVR'd (the best invention EVER) and now I have such terrible nausea. I took nausea meds over an hour ago and they're just not working. I'm going to be a mess tomorrow. Looks like I'll be making an early morning trip to Starbucks!

Lessons from my 4 year old

With about 2 1/2 weeks until James comes home, things have been a little crazy around here lately. I keep finding myself getting frustrated with the kids, the house, the cats...just about everything. Tonight, we were sitting down to eat dinner, neither kid would eat, Colton was super fussy, Kennedie was already telling me all about which food she was not going to try once her dinner was finished, and Harley (one of the cats) began crying in the hallway...for no reason. When I say crying, please know that he is a siamese cat. They have a very distinctive cry. It is extremely loud and annoying. After a few minutes of this, I yelled, "HARLEY! YOU'RE MAKING ME CRAZY!" Kennedie, as calmly as can be, says, "Mommy. We need to just let Harley be a cat today. He just needs to meow and be a cat." I know that doesn't sound like much. But somehow, I was able to really look deeply into what my 4 year old had just said. My darling children were just being children. Yes, I was going crazy, but I need to try harder to look at all of the blessings in my life instead. I have two perfectly healthy children. I am so thankful and am so greatly blessed.

HAPPY Bunny Pictures!

Today, my children gave me something that I've been wanting for the past 4 years...smiling Easter Bunny pictures!!! Yes, I admit it. I did bribe Kennedie, but it totally worked! And Colton, well, he's so easy! He thought the bunny's hands were so funny!

random reflecting

I always get so sad whenever Kennedie's birthday gets close. I know it's a very happy time, but it just goes so fast. It's always hard for me to scrapbook, looking back at how small she was. As I tucked her into bed tonight, I look at how tall she is and it just breaks my heart that she's growing so fast! Don't get me wrong, I really try to embrace each day and I cherish our sweet time together. But as I watched my baby boy eat dinner, in a small chair, pulled up to a kid's table tonight...eating out of a bowl...he looked like he could have been 3! This week is full of planning his first birthday party and planning his 1st birthday pictures. It absolutely breaks my heart. I cannot wrap my brain around the idea that exactly one year ago, I was begging my OB to induce me because it just wasn't physically possible to grow any larger than I already had. I had to be admitted into the hospital 3 days before he was born because I got such a bad stomach virus and was so dehydrated, and they still wouldn't induce me! But looking back, I'm so thankful for the way it all played out. I am so thankful that my dear husband was by my side when our precious baby boy came into this world. Things could have been so different, but God is so very good. Although I'm so sad to have to plan this 1st birthday party without Daddy here, I'm so thankful for the time he was here. And in just about 30 short days...he'll be back home with us! I cannot wait for the times I get to watch him and our sweet baby boy reacquaint. For the times James gets to teach him how to make the truck and car noises (Mommy's not so good at that). For the times that they can go outside and just spend hours in the yard or in the garage...just doing boy stuff.
Sorry, this turned out to be a choppy, kind of random, blog.
But before I go, I just want to thank those of you who have been there for us during this past year. This has been such a trying time, but I have found just how strong I really am. I am so thankful for my healthy, happy family. In times like this, you really do find out who your true friends are.
Kelli

Mudder

For the longest time, Kennedie has gotten a kick out of me calling myself her "Mother" and James her "Father." She insists that she has a Mommy and a Daddy, NOT a "Mudder and a Fodder!" It's one of those cute things she says that I just can't bring myself to correct!

for Daddy...

Kennedie was talking a lot about Daddy tonight, so I asked her if she wanted to record a little video for him. She said she didn't know what to say. I told her to say whatever she felt in her heart. These are her exact words, no prompting, and no rehearsal...

A few more...

*At dinner a few nights ago, I told Kennedie to hurry up or brother was going to finish eating first. She said, "Mommy. This isn't a competition. You gotta take your time and do it right."
*They were banging Kennedie's metal pots and pans from her kitchen on my tile floor near the play room. I asked what was going on in there, to which she responded, "We're just having an orchestra in here."
*We were playing around and being silly, when I called her a turkey. "Well, if I'm a turkey, you're a chicken!"
*I had my Texas map sitting on the kitchen table the other day and she was carefully studying it. After a few minutes, she said, "See all that snow and ice? It's Siberia." (Yes, she really did!)
*She took a few bites of a Ritz cracker and exclaimed, "These crackers are very delightful!"
*"My Granny pretends her house is a jungle and Wrangler is the king of the jungle. Have you ever heard of such a thing?"

My sweet Kennedie...you bring me such joy. You have taught me so much in your four, short years. You amaze me every day and you are such a beautiful blessing!
love,
Mommy