Finally an Update

Once again I find myself saying sorry for not keeping this blog updated better. It has been almost a year since I last updated and what a year it was. Not sure really where to begin.

February 2010, my brother had part of his leg amputated for a severe infection in his foot. What a struggle that was for him. I can not even imagine having to go through that. A couple weeks after he was finally released from the hospital he came to Ohio to visit. He was struggling getting around at home and was lonely being home by himself all day. While he was here he enjoyed seeing the kids and watching Judson play soccer. He was even in town for my birthday which looking back on it now I am so glad he was here for it.

The next couple months were a little more mellow until we found out the beginning of June that the house we had been renting for the last year was foreclosed on and we had to get out. Not sure where all our rent money went but it was not the mortgage. Most the month of June was spent house hunting and moving. We were finally out of the house and everything moved to the new house June 29th. Then early morning on June 30, 2010 my mom called with devastating news. My brother had passed away from pneumonia. I was a wreck jumped on a plane the next day with the kids and headed to Utah for a long hard couple of weeks.

I can happily say the rest of the year was a little more mellow. We stay busy with Judson, Mike and I all playing soccer. Judson played coach pitch and we did some traveling last year as well. We went to Gatlinburg TN, road trip to Connecticut and went camping. Mike ran his first half marathon in which he did an EXCELLENT job. Mike also completed his master degree which was very exciting for him not to have any more homework. The first holidays were rough with Andy gone. Not only did we have Thanksgiving and Christmas we had his birthday as well.

We are really liking Ohio and have some great friends. We stay busy with Judson in school, soccer and swim lessons. As well as Mike and I both playing soccer on different teams. It has been a cold winter with lots of snow days. I am ready for some warm weather.

I wish I could say life is all smooth sailings but not yet. Mike's stepdad is very sick. He has been sick for a little over a year. After tons of tests and trips to three hospitals we still do not know what he has. There is no diagnosis. He is declining rapidly and is now on hospice care. I feel so bad for everyone. Mike's mom has stayed home to take care of him since this all started in Dec 2009. He does not have much motor function left and is now having difficulty in eating. I pray that he can go peacefully.

Once again sorry for not updating this more. I hope you can tell that the last year has been difficult and a struggle. I promise to do better. I will post pictures of the kids soon.

Catching Everyone Up

Sorry everyone that I have not updated the Blog in a long time. Life has been great since we moved to Ohio. I am really liking it here except I am ready for winter to be over and some warm weather to come. Since the move we have done lots and see lots. We are always doing something.

Mike has adjusted to working in Systems Engineering but would like things to slow down some. He is traveling to Alabama at least once a month for a week at a time. We hate having him gone but are happy that there are no deployments in the immediate future.

Judson: Is loving school and has lots of friends. He has played Tball and soccer since we have been here. Right now he is getting ready to start his third session of indoor soccer. He loves to play and does great on the field. He is a scoring machine!!!! He must have learned it from my teammates, from always going to my games. We all know it is not from me since I can't hit the net. Judson is also enjoying his new lab puppy he got for his birthday.

Paislee: She is a FIRECRACKER!!!! She is 18 months old and a lot of fun. She is always going nonstop and loves playing with lightsabers with her brother.

Me: I am just busy taking Judson to school and soccer and taking care of the kids and house. I enjoy it everyday well most everyday. I am playing soccer which I love since it is my time away and something I enjoy. I will move as often as I have to with the military as long as I can keep playing.

We are all looking forward to some friends moving back to Ohio this summer. I promise to keep the blog updated more. It is just hard to be on the computer with Paislee insisting to help. I will post some updated pictures soon.

Finally In Ohio!

'The last few months have been very busy, fun, exciting and exhausting. We left Washington only a couple weeks after Mike returned home from Germany. No play time for us when he got home as we had to get packed up and ready for the move. We packed up the cars and left Washington on March 27th and began our long journey.

We drove a short 300 miles where we stopped in Spokane at Fairchild Air Force Base for the night. While in Spokane we were able to go to dinner with some friends which was great. Who knows when we will see them next. We left the next morning and drove to Bozeman MT to visit Mikes parents, step-brother, nieces and nephews. We were able to spend a couple days there before heading to Utah. The morning we left for Utah it SNOWED. The road we were to travel on was closed so up the passes through Yellowstone and Island Park we went instead. The roads were very icy in some parts so the drive took much longer than expected. Once in Utah, we stayed there a few days before hearing on to Denver to get in front of another storm. We spent five days in Denver visiting friends and showing Judson around the Air Force Academy before Mike continued to Alabama and the kids and I headed back to Utah.

The kids and I spent the next month with grandma, Andy and Tegan. Judson enjoyed coloring Easter eggs and going to Easter egg hunts with his cousin. He also enjoyed playing outside with neighbor kids, making new friends and most of all learning to ride his bike with NO TRAINING WHEELS!!! Paislee enjoyed getting tons of attention and kept me on my toes as she got more mobile. I had a great time hanging out with friends I had not seen in a while and playing soccer with friends from high school. Mike made the most of his time in Alabama while at Squadron Officer School.

From Utah, the kids and I headed to North Carolina to visit more friends. As always we had a great time with the Seamone's. Judson and Ellie had tons of fun playing together and even got along this time. Aspen is growing up so fast and was always pointing to Paislee telling us what she wanted to play with her. It was very exciting to be able to be with Sheree at her 4D ultrasound and find out that she will be having a BOY!! As soon as Mike finished in Alabama, he hit the road and headed to NC to get the kids and I.

We left North Carolina and headed out for our final destination OHIO!!!!! The first week was spent looking for a house to rent since we ruled out the houses on base. They were way to small. Judson enjoyed living in a hotel where he and Mike went swimming morning noon and night. We finally got a place rented have our stuff and are connected again. I still have quite a bit of unpacking to do. I figure it will get done sooner or later.

Sorry this is so long. Just thought I should update why I have not posted anything for the past two months. I promise now that we are connected to post more often.

Mike Is Home!!!!!

We are so happy to have Mike home again finally!!! He has been missed the last four months. He enjoyed his deployment to Germany but is happy to be back home with the family. Judson was so excited to have his dad coming home that he told everyone he saw that his dad was coming home. This was not just people he knew it was everyone. Paislee was a little hesitant at first since she had only seen him on web cam the past 4 months. She has adjusted now and loves having her dad around. I wish that having him home meant that we would have some down time but that is not the case. We are leaving Washington in three weeks and will be heading to our next location.

WELCOME HOME MIKE!!!!!

Six Months Already!!

It is hard to believe that my little girl is already six months. Time goes by too fast. I wish she was still small and not so mobile but that would mean Mike would not be coming home soon. Paislee is very mobile. She rolls all over the place and has the army crawl down. Also when she turned six months, I took her and got her ears pierced. Here are here six month stats:

Weight: 16.9 50%
Length: 26.5 75%


She is so much fun and always smiling and giggling. She especially loves her big brother Judson!!!!

SLACKER!!!!

Sorry I have been such a slacker on keeping my blog updated. I wonder where all my time goes but really do I need to ask myself that question. Nothing too exciting has been happening with us. The kids and I are anxiously waiting for Mike to return home soon. Judson is enjoying all his many activities. Between swim lessons, preschool, and playing with friends he stays very busy. Paislee is growing up way too fast. She is almost six months and getting to be very mobile. She rolls everywhere and is getting good at scooting. She does not have a hard time getting to what she wants. I am not ready for her to be so mobile, I guess I better get ready!! As for me, I am just trying to get rid of stuff that we have accumulated since being in Washington that does not need to make the move. I am staying busy with two kids, trying to get a house rented and prepare for a move in which we will be living out of suitcases for two months. Never a dull moment around here!!!!!

Judson Rollerskating

Here is a video of Judson trying to skate.

Back in Washington.

Christmas has come and gone and we are now back from Utah. We had a great Christmas even if getting to Utah was a little challenging. With Washington getting hit with snow, we decided to stay in a hotel by the airport the night before we were due to leave. We did not want to take any chances on the roads in the morning and miss our flight. We woke up on the 19th of Dec with a relaxing morning as we were only a few minutes from the airport. We made it through security and boarded the plane as it was ontime only to end up being on the plane for eight hours (should be a two hour flight) Salt Lake was getting snow and we were approaching as they closed the runways and got rerouted to Boise to refuel. We soon got cleared to try again to have the runways close and we were once again headed back to Boise for fuel and to sit for our chance to try again. After eight hours on the plane we finally landed in UTAH!!!! Boy was Judson excited.

While we were in Utah we were able to spend time with family and friends. It was great to see everyone and I am sorry for those that it did not work out with on this trip. I hope to see you next time. It was especially great to see my friend Charlee nad her family who were visiting from the Netherlands. I am so glad we were able to spend some time together and I was finally able to meet her little girl. I was also able to relive my past by going roller skating for my friends 30th birthday. Boy was that a blast. Who would have thought all these years later that Holly, Sara and I would be at Classic once again. Judson tried roller skating. we will have to work on that one.

We had a great Christmas but we sure missed Mike. We are more than half way through the deployment and can't wait for him to get home. Even if when he gets home we will be busy with getting ready for the move to Ohio a few weeks later.


I hope everyone had a great Christmas and that the New Year will be great!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JUDSON!!!!

It is crazy to think that my little boy is four. Judson had a great birthday!!! If today was any indication of what Christmas morning will be like, I will be up very early. Judson woke up at 6:30 asking if it was his birthday and if he could open his presents. He opened his presents and played for a while before it was time to meet some friends for lunch. After playing for a few hours at lunch, we headed home to play with more new toys before going to our friends for dinner. After dinner he played Wii which he is in love with and actually does a pretty good job in my opinion. Where kids get the energy they have??? I could have used some of it today.

Judson was so excited last Friday at school as it was his special day. We got to make a poster for him to take to class as well as treats. He was so excited to show his poster to everyone but most of all he was excited to be LINE LEADER for the day!!!

It was a great birthday!! The only thing that could have been better would be if dad was home to celebrate with us. We will just have to celebrate again when he gets home in a few months.

Happy Birthday Judson

Thanksgiving

I know Thanksgiving has come and gone. Thanksgiving was different this year, no husband and no family except my military family. I am so thankful for all my great friends that I have in Washington. This year I spent the day with a couple friends whose spouses/ significant others are also gone. My friend Abby took pictures of my kids with her new camera, I loved this one of Paislee so I just had to add it!!

Thank you to all our military troops who are currently serving our country and not able to spend the holidays with their families.This holiday season is going to be different as it will be the first Christmas in seven years Mike and I have not spent it together. Thanks Mike for the sacrifices you make. WE LOVE YOU!!!!

OHIO HERE WE COME!!!!

It is official we are headed to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton Ohio. We will be reporting to duty there May 31,2009. As of now we will be leaving Washington the first part of April as Mike has squadron officer school in Alabama starting April 12th. We will leave Washington make a month stop in Alabama and then finish our way to Ohio where we will be stationed for the next couple years. This was our first choice so we are happy that we got what we wanted. I am excited to be leaving the rain up here and to live another place and have new experiences. On the other hand, I am sad to be leaving all my friends. The last four years it has been me staying here as friends move on so this will be different. The next four months will be busy as I get the house ready to rent. Mike will return from his deployment to be home for a few weeks before we head out. With life in the military there is never a dull moment.

Visit From Friends!

Last week we were happy to have some close friends come visit from North Carolina. My friend Sheree and her two daughters Ellie and Aspen. We went over to Spokane to see Sheree's family since that is where she is from. We had a great time with all her nieces, nephews, sisters and parents. There is never a dull moment when we are all together. This visit Judson and Ellie got along great. They are either best friends or each others nightmares. It is always best at grammy's since it is neutral ground and not either of their toys they are playing with. I was excited for Sheree to see Paislee for the first time as well as to see Aspen again. I have not seen Aspen since she was three months old. We really wish that we still lived by each other but at least soon it will only be a eight hour drive instead of a day on a plane.

THANKS FOR COMING WE MISS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

HaLLoWeEn / MiLiTaRy PeRkS!!!!

With Mike gone for the holiday season, I was not looking forward to trick or treating in the rain. For some odd reason I decided to call the passenger terminal at McChord to see where planes were headed, to my surprise there was one heaed to Hill Air force base. With about an hour to throw clothes in a suit case, find out if my letter was signed so I could fly and get to the base I did it!!! Not knowing when the next plane would be coming back to McChord, I did not really care. I was in a mood and wanted to be around family. Mike called as I was headed to the base and was shocked when I told him what I was doing. Why not is how I looked at it. It cost me NOTHING to fly down there. I had my friends dad pick me up and take me to my mom's who did not know I was coming. When we arrived at my mom's, Judson went and knocked on the door and said, "Trick or Treat!!" She was excited to have us there but my niece was the most excited. She had to do everything she could to fight the tears back.

Judson had a great time trick or treating with his cousin Tegan. We had a great and tiring weekend. Paislee was able to meet her cousin, uncle and great grandma for the first time. It was a fast trip home since I had to come back already. I would have stayed longer but with the flights you never know when the next one will be headed back. I had to head back as well because my friend will be here next week from North Carolina. I now know that there are flights to Utah the first and third weekends of the month which I will be taking advantage of for sure. Judson also thought it was pretty cool being able to fly on a C-17. He says he is just like dad!!

Pumpkin Patch!

Judson and his preschool class went on a fun filled field trip to the pumpkin patch. I was surprised at how well Judson actually paid attention to the lady taking them on the tour. He seemed to really enjoy it and seems to really be enjoying school.

We Miss You Dad!

October has been a busy month, I am not sure where it has all gone but it is just about over. We were able to spend some time at this new hotel close to us called the Great Wolf Lodge. It is amazing with an indoor water park, arcade, restaurants and a wizard hunt. Judson and Mike had a great time swimming and enjoying time together before Mike had to leave for his third deployment.

Tuesday morning Mike left for his deployment of four months. We will miss not having him here for the holidays and everyday activities. Our prayers are with him that he will be safe and do his job to the best of his ability.

We love you Mike and will miss you!!!

Great Wolf Lodge!!!

Time Flies

Honestly where does the time go? I cannot believe that my little girl is already five weeks old. It seems like just yesterday she was born. If I stop and think about where my time goes, I know exactly what I spend all my time doing. If it is not laundry, cleaning or cooking then it is spent at the YMCA for Judson doing swim lessons and gymnastics. If we are not at the YMCA then it is spent at soccer practice, or taking Judson to preschool. In between all of this, my time is spent feeding Paislee. So I guess I do know where my time goes. Finally, I have had a moment to update my blog and put some pictures of Paislee in a slide show. Hope you all enjoy!!

Judson and Paislee