Miller Family!

Girls night out.. ONLY!

2011-12-11T20:07:00.000-08:00

I bought tickets for Disney Princess Live here in El Paso, I am so excited that Ashlynne is old enough to take her to these things.. because we had so much fun! I bought my friends girls tickets for their birthdays, and I am so glad they could come, because its even more fun to enjoy it with best friends!!!! WE HAD A BLAST!

all 5 of us after the show!

the three girls and their loot.

Me and My princess.

Not the best picture, but it was Snow White, Cinderella and Belle and their princes'

Ashlynne before the Show all dressed up!

Ashlynne , Leah and Monica, they were so excited to dress up and put make up on and all the fun girly stuff!

Had to show off her "princess" shoes. she wears them everywhere, because they are sparkly! lol! I am so glad that I could take her, and that she LOVED it. she loved watching the princesses and she was clapping and smiling the whole time! I LOVE my princess!

Light Sabers.

2011-12-11T20:05:00.001-08:00

Yep, this is how I hold my Light Sabers too :) This was too cute not to post... Courtesy of Chase!

August 22nd 2011, First day of School

2011-12-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

Isaac started 1st grade (again) at Desertaire Elementary school, his teacher this year is Mrs DeReamer. We retained Isaac due to some learning disabilities and short term memory issues. He is doing well and he likes school, he definitely struggles but I am seeing so many improvements. he has lots of help in and out of the classroom, I love his special ed teacher that he sees three times a week, she is amazing her name is Mrs. Battle. He is a bright child and if he really likes the subject or activity is very engaged and has a great memory. He is such a great kid, full of life and wants to be involved in everything! I am excited to see what the rest of the school year holds for him, I see such great things out of this boy!

Chase is in Kindergarten at Parkland Elementary School, His Teacher is Mrs. Valadez. I asked if he could continue at this school after Pre school, I prefer Parkland over Desertaire. I am so glad they agreed. Chase LOVES school, he is doing so well, his teachers have nothing but great things to say about him. He loves music and loves to sing. he is always teaching us the songs he learns in school. We are working on reading with him and he loves math too. He just recently asked if he could start playing the piano. I am so excited to see his growth in school!

visiting family

2011-12-11T19:48:00.000-08:00

McKenna and Ashlynne in the tub, this is sweetness between them is rare, they were usually fighting over something.. but man they are so cute!

my cute nephew Tegan, playing with my camera.

we went to the pool one day. it was fun. the kids are little fishes!

my first trip was the day after Doug left, I stayed for two weeks at my Sister in Law Brinnas house, our kids get along so well.. we played, watched movies ate lots of food and just had a great time! We took the kids to Austin and went to the Childrens museum and Ikea. it was AWESOME! I was sad to go back home but school was starting and life must go on!

Saying goodbye is so hard July 31st 2011

2011-12-11T19:37:00.000-08:00

Deployment numero 4. AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! this was by far the hardest goodbye. Not that I didnt think that I could do it by myself. But I just didnt want to do it without Doug.

Sorry, the pictures arent great. but seriously I dont care. LOL! I wasnt going to wear make up to cry it off!

We were told that this was a 12 month deployment, it was drilled into our head. So off Doug left for the 4th time. I had made sure that I had plans, that me and the kids kept busy. That we had a schedule. It was going to be ok. I knew that. Doug and I are good thru deployments, after all, this isnt the first time, and it sure wont be the last I am afraid. But boy do I miss him when he is gone.. that is why I get so sad. I miss him. I miss everything about him!

Family walk with our puppies!

2011-12-11T19:28:00.000-08:00

we love to take walks, it's even more fun to take our puppies for a walk. this was when they were little and stayed close and we didnt have to have them on leashes.. not anymore. LOL!

They were so little and they would go half a block and beg us to pick them up. Doug is mean and makes them walk the whole time. LOL! But look how cute they are.
We have a great time with these pups, they are my fur babies. I seriously dont think our family would be the same with out Ruby and Max. we have a great routine with them, and Max is completely Dougs dog, and Ruby is mine. They picked us, we didnt pick them:) Love our pups!

7 already. how is it possible?!

2011-12-11T19:13:00.001-08:00

My oldest Turned 7 on July 20th~ How is it possible, I remember bringing him home from the hospital.

me, Doug and Isaac at his birthday party.

Isaac with most of the kids at his Party.

Isaac with his Coldstone creamery cupcakes. SO YUMMY~

Happy Birthday baby boy!

Isaac wanted his party at Jungle Jaks. It doesnt have arcade games like chuck e cheese. its more of a play place with a dancing room. a wii game, and arts and crafts. dress up, bumper cars and water bumping cars too. His theme was black belt karate. we had such a great time and Isaac had a blast! Happy Birthday sweet boy! We love you so much!

Isaac lost his first tooth! July 17th, 2011

2011-12-11T18:22:00.000-08:00

Isaac lost his first tooth!

he cried just for a second, and I think it was just because he was thinking it was going to hurt! But he is did awesome and was so happy he lost his tooth, he was even happier that the tooth fairy brought him money!

since I am far behind, he has lost 2 other teeth and is in the process of losing his 4th. My oldest is growing up sooo much!

All Tuckered out

2011-12-11T18:18:00.000-08:00

We had such an amazing time in San Diego, This was our last morning. and we woke up to these bums in the air.. boy were they tired! We visited my cousin one last time in Oceanside and then headed back to El Paso. this was definitely an amazing vacation (remember Fresno too).

I am grateful that Doug and I are both into traveling, we love to just get in the car and go. My kids are great car travelers so it makes it easy for me to just go and drive 10 hours in a day. My boys are also pros at peeing in bottles or on the side of a road. I wont do rest stops by myself unless its in the day time:) I love the family times and the memories, even the sleeping bums (thank you Ashlynne and Chase for the best photo op). Looking forward to many more memory making vacations!

San Diego Temple or Princess Castle says Ashlynne!

2011-12-11T18:12:00.000-08:00

Outside the San Diego Temple

Trying to get a decent picture.. Ash didnt want to sit down!

Always having to shoot something :)

Beautiful!

One of Mine and Dougs' goal is to visit a Temple if possible on our vacations. so far we have visited quite a bit. I wont name everyone, but its a great goal and we love getting pictures with by them.

Mormon Battalion Museum!

2011-12-11T18:00:00.000-08:00

this place was AMAZING.. FABULOUS! we loved it. and so so so glad we went. best of all FREE! Gotta love most of the mormon stuff is free:)

The Family outside the Museum

We had a great time, we went on a 30 or 45 minute tour of the mormon settlers to San Diego, they were interactive with the kids and they kids could play with the stuff during the tour. it was totally Harry Potterish with talking picture frames. the kids though it was pretty cool!

Sea World Part 2. Because Shamu needed his own post!

2011-12-11T17:48:00.001-08:00

Just a bunch of pictures, and one is a duplicate. and it wont let me delete it! But enjoy, we had a great time in Sea World, it was the first time for me and Doug and of course the kids! We will eventually go back again. i really enjoyed the Shamu Show and also the other show that we saw! I just love being able to take my kids places and seeing their faces and how much fun they are having. Cant wait to do more!

bahahaha ok Doug looks drunk but this is what happens when we are letting the kids take pics of us!

Shamu!

Isaac HAD to sit in the soak zone, it probably would have been fine if we had gone to the show earlier in the day, but it was getting cold at the 7pm show. but it was still fun!

Getting us all wet!

Me and Doug

Day 2 San Diego - Sea World :) Part 1.

2011-12-11T17:37:00.000-08:00

This is right before the Shamu Show. We are hot and sweaty from walking around all day!

not the best picture of Isaac, but i wanted a picture by the map.

this was one of the shows we saw, and it was AWESOME! I loved it. even the really stinky tree hugging dreaded haired hairy arm pitted people in front of us :)

looking at the penguins

this was inside, I couldnt figure out how to get a good picture from the dark room.

This is a roller coaster the boys HAD to go on!

we had to switch babysitting Ash. because she was too little

Both boys agreed, they didnt want to go on again! hahahaha, it was too scary lol!

I got sick after this stupid elmo ride... I dont know why I do that to myself. so dumb!

Day 1 of Sunny Sandiego/Oceanside California!

2011-12-11T17:22:00.000-08:00

We had an amazing time in San Diego that we decided that we would forgo our trip to Vegas and the Grand Canyon, and relax in San Diego and Oceanside. I am so glad we did. because it was AWESOME!

Look at this view, I mean seriously I was in Heaven!

We played so hard on the Beach, Ashlynne literally fell asleep sitting up.

we visited with my Cousin Heidi, we hadnt seen eachother for almost 5 years I think. TOO LONG! She introduced us to boogie boarding. it was so much fun!

Isaac running from the waves.

That is all Sand in Ashlynnes Swimsuit. it is still stuck in the fabric 5 months later! not that much though. hahahaa

Doug boogie Boarding!

Doug and kids playing in the waves!

Love this pictures of Chase!

Ashlynne and Doug

this is my kids and my cousins kids. minus Brayden he was in a carseat.

This was the first time my kids were able to enjoy the water and sun at the beach. We had a blast and we were there all day enjoying everything! Even with the man that yelled at us for having Ashlynne go into the mens bathroom with Doug. Dont worry I gave him a piece of my mind. Crazy people!

Silly!

2011-10-30T21:15:00.001-07:00

I love this picture of Chase, we were packing up leaving Fresno for San Diego. He was like Hey Mom pack me up:) Love my boy!

Fireworks

2011-10-30T21:09:00.001-07:00

we were getting ready to head out the door to my moms friends house to do Fireworks, Ashlynne fell off a chair and hit her head so hard. I was afraid to take her anywhere. she ended up falling asleep and i wanted to watch her. So Doug took the kids with my family and they were gone for about an hour doing fireworks. of Course Ashlynne was fine. but I would rather be safe than sorry.

Here is Chase. this cracks me up!

when they got home, Carly had some pop its for Ashlynne to throw.. she loved it!

Here are the boys with their sparklers

Isaac and his sparkler

With Papa!

Happy 4th of July!

2011-10-30T21:01:00.001-07:00

For 4th of July, we swam and hung out and ate alot! we also rented a Bounce house, and it was awesome. The kids had a blast. they were outside playing and swimming from early morning til bedtime and we had to force them to get out of the pool to eat something. it was great!

Me with my nephew, neices and my three kiddos!

Doug jumping in the pool! he is such a fun dad and uncle! he had a blast!

hahahaha, seriously my favorite picture!

the Bounce house!

Love this picture, it shows how sweet my nieces are. they are so awesome, they have the best hearts and want to help and want to learn! I wish we lived closer, because they are truly the best girls an Aunt could have! Love you Carly and Marlo!

Family!

2011-10-30T20:49:00.001-07:00

Dougs family visited us in Fresno to say goodbye to Doug before he deployed. It was great to see them and we are so glad they came to see us! it was awesome!

Here is Doug and Eric. we all got dragged in the pool, it was a free for all, it was awesome!

This is our sweet niece Macie Love. Doug loves his nieces and nephews and he couldnt get enough of this little girl this trip!

Here is Helene and Ellie. both tuckered out from the heat and Ellie from the water.

Brayden and Ashlynne got along so well, they were hugging and wrestling like crazy! I love that my kids get along with my cousins so well.

Little Macie Love. look how sweet she is

Blaine and Sara, I just loved this picture of them

Helene and Bob at the temple

Doug with Macie and Ashlynne!

a Few more shots.

2011-10-30T20:45:00.000-07:00

David, my mom and Me

david and my mom eating their cake

Their cake

Me and my mom. I am so happy for her. she is happy. she is amazing. I am grateful for all she does for me and my family. I just couldnt be happier for her! Congratulations mom and David

For Time and All Eternity.

2011-10-30T20:36:00.001-07:00

My mom and David got Married 5 years ago.. wait let me correct myself, they eloped in boise Idaho Five years ago. yah we wont let them live that down! But I will speak for myself and say that I am so grateful that my mom found David (online), he treats her like a Queen and is so great to my Children, I couldnt ask for a better man to be in our family. So with that said, they got sealed in the Temple July 2nd *I think*.

Me and My girl!

Well this is most of the family here, not sure why Doug isnt in the picture!

Me and my 2 sister in laws.

Danny and my mom hugging outside the temple

Fresno, California...

2011-10-30T20:32:00.000-07:00

The whole reason for going to Fresno this summer, was because my mom and her husband David were getting Sealed in the Fresno Temple.

I put together a Social at Charming Charlies for my mom, it was a lot of fun and we had a great turnout to show my mom support with her sealing!

My mom and Niece Carly

My mom and her Tiara from her Best friend Marilynn

Leaving Arizona and driving to California..

2011-10-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

So We stayed a week with Doug in the hotel, and he had a major test on Monday, so Sunday, we decided that he really needed to get as much study time in as he could, and so me and the kids left to head to California. we took off and went to Stephens house in Phoenix, and I wish I got a few more pictures there, but alas we got a self portrait. but we had a great time swimming and visiting. we definitely need to stay longer next time!

We took off to Victorville and stayed with Liz and Justin for a day so the kids could play with their cousins. They have so much fun being together. I LOVE IT! I also love that Justin babysat all 7 kids so Liz and I could go to Costco and the Fabric Store that was the highlight of my trip!

the 6 kids. little Parker was probably in the house.

Tombstone.. just a few more!

2011-10-30T20:18:00.000-07:00

This was a re-enactment of wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday for the shoot out, this was a ploy to get us to the actual shoot out, which was expensive. we went with a different one and the kids loved it!

Doug had to get a picture by this!

She was so tuckered out. she never falls asleep in the car unless on a really long car ride. I just love this picture of her!

Tombstone- The Town Too Tough To DIE!

2011-10-30T20:13:00.000-07:00

Wyatt Earps house

The Statue in front of his house.

Getting ready to leave Tombstone. I love that they are all shooting. Love my family!

this was a comedy shoot out. it was a lot of fun, the kids loved it!

This sign says it all!

Tombstone, Bird Cage Theater

2011-10-30T20:04:00.000-07:00

Really enjoyed going thru this museum, if we didnt have the kids with us, Doug and I could have spent atleast an hour or two in it! Most of the items in the building was original, still lots of bullet wholes in the walls, portraits. I love history and My dad always talked about the Bird Cage theater so I was really wanting to go in.

This picture cracked me up *no pun intended* hahaa!

This Bar is the original, your actually not supposed to lean on it or hang on it at all because of how old it was. I LOVED it!

an original poker table and memorabilia they found when opening up up the bottom part of the theater

Now these are the little "rooms" that the ladies of the night would take the guys to get it on.. seriously I wish I could have gone up to actually look inside, but the upstairs is cut off to the public.

The outside of the bird Cage theater.

Tombstone-part2, Good enough mining company

2011-08-27T08:27:00.001-07:00

We really enjoyed this tour! considering it was around 100 degrees outside maybe alittle more, and going down into the mine was probably about 74 degrees they said, oh man that felt so good to be out of the heat.

Isaac waiting for the tour. learning to whistle!

Getting our hard hats

Me and Doug

Heading into the Mine

going down:)

Some things they have found in the mine that they kept there

hey look who is behind the camera, I was there too!

Outside the mine.

Tombstone-Part 1, Riding a covered wagon, tour thru tombstone

2011-08-27T08:13:00.000-07:00

We got into Tombstone in the afternoon, Doug was studying for a major test. As soon as we get into town, Ashlynne saw the horses with the covered wagons. She wouldnt let it go, so we paid and arm and two or three legs for a wagon ride... Boy were the kids happy! it was a cool tour, and Ashlynne almost fell out the back of the wagon. long story, but seriously kids are so accident prone.

It was a good start to our day in Tombstone, we were able to route our adventures of what we wanted to see, and with kids, we definitely didnt get to read or see everything we wanted, but we had a great time!

Max and Ruby, Ruby and Max!

2011-08-27T07:55:00.000-07:00

Yes we are possibly crazy, but I had been wanting a puppy for a while.. and Isaac had been too, so I thought I would check out Craigslist and see what I could find.. So I found a listing for 7 week old puppies, and I wanted to check them out. Doug was like whatever. we can see, I said I am not promising I will get one, I just want to look, trust me, I turned down a completely free puppy a few months earlier, I can turn down I puppy I have to pay for. So we were looking thru the litter, and were weeding thru the pups.. and we couldnt decide between two of the puppies. Doug said, ok lets get both! My jaw dropped! it really has been the best.. because they dont whine at night when in their crate or in the bathroom, they are the best playmates and are just really good puppies. come to find out they were not 7 weeks old, Ruby the full black puppy was only 3.5 weeks (no teeth) and Max was 5.5 weeks. we were scammed, but atleast I know they are healthy and loved and taken care of, and we LOVE LOVE LOVE our puppies!

This is Ruby (above) super sweet, alittle wild and loves to lick, but not phsyco lick.

You can barely see her head, Isaac and Ruby

Max and Ashlynne

Miss Rubes

Oh Maximus! He is so sweet, laid back, not a licker and not much of a cuddler..but he will with me and Doug.. definitley not with the kids.

When we got them around June 16th, I believe.. whoops dont remember the exact date, but Ruby weighed a whopping 1.5lbs and Max 2.5lbs, Today Ruby weighs 4.9lbs and Max 8.5lbs.

Military Marriage Retreat.-picture overload!

2011-08-26T21:20:00.000-07:00

This picture cracks me up, Doug is acting like he is riding a horse or something, IDK!

Me and Doug:)

Chase on the saddle

Ashlynne

And Isaac!

Smoochie Smoochie!

This bridge was awesome, I just wish I could have gotten someone to take a picture and I could have filled in the gap on the side by Isaac!!!!

Awesome Windmill!

Grinding Corn, seriously they could have done that all day!

Lovin' on the goats

She was throwing Attitude about something

Love Isaacs smile here

Ok its sideways, and I am not going to fix it, but seriously I love this picture of him..

Chase was acting like a chicken, because of the the statue behind him

We were able to go on a Military Marriage Retreat.. it was in Las Cruces at the H hotel, it was a beautiful Hotel in a small college town, just 40 minutes from El Paso. We had a great time, we had about 4 hours of free time, and we found this farm/museum and it cost our whole family 3.00 to get in, I would really like to go back one day with out kids.. it was totally kid friendly, but Doug and I like to read the interesting things in the museum, where that is where the kids start running around getting bored.
I was grateful for this retreat. Not that Doug and I need it, but its always nice to have a refresher of why you fell in love with your spouse.. you get into the daily routines of being mom and dad and sometimes forget about being husband and wife..
I am just grateful that he is my husband, he is amazing.. not that I dont want to knock him in the head sometimes for doing dumb things:) He is truly a great husband and father, and he really wants the best for me and the kids, he is such a hard worker and is a go getter! I cant forget that he is pretty Damn Sexy too:)
Love that man of mine!

Parkland Elementary Pre-K Graduation 2011

2011-08-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

Doug, Chase and Me at his Pre-K Graduation
His Teacher was Mrs. Sanchez, and she was fabulous!

Chase and Daddy! I LOVE this picture!

Walking across stage to get his diploma!

His class singing an ABC song, they were sing "E" Elbow. E,E,E (E sound)
Seriously, we sing that song almost everyday, its awesome!

Walking in.

Chase and Mommy
I seriously cant believe he is now in Kindergarten, I mean, yes he has been going to school since he was three years old, but that isnt elementary school, he is now in Elementary school! I am so proud of Chase, he is so smart and funny, and is all around a great kid! My favorite thing about Chase is, if he asks for something, and I tell him, not right now, or No, he says, so Mommy, when I get bigger like Daddy, then I can have it.. (do it, buy it, ect...) I say yes, when you get bigger like daddy.. he says ok, mom, when I am big like daddy, I can do lots of things! he melts my heart!
Congratulations sweet boy.. I cant wait to see what big things you do in Kindergarten!

Field trip... to the Zoo with Isaac

2011-08-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

Isaac was so excited about going to the zoo with his class!

This Lion was PHYSCO! seriously, I think it was Ashlynne jacket, but she kept trying to attack her thru the glass.. I mean, seriously look at that head compared to Ashlynnes.. Video below shows her trying to attack the kids...

Isaac with some of his class mates!

He is such a happy and amazing kid! he does great in Science and PE! YES PE. hahaha.. but struggles in reading and math, thats ok, he will catch up and we are getting him the help that he needs and deserves! Love this kid so much!

Easter with Cousins

2011-08-26T20:17:00.000-07:00

Chase and his basket!

Ashlynne and hers

All the kids after looking for eggs...

Dying Easter eggs

our Shirtless wonder!

Poor Isaac had a black eye in all the pics. from karate.

It was so nice to spend Easter with Brinna and the kids.. they all had such a great time, and all got way too much candy, next year, it will be way different! But we hid so many eggs, and the kids had a blast!

Horse Riding in Hood!

2011-08-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

In April we went to Ft. Hood for Easter to visit my Sister in Law Brinna, since our husbands were gone, Doug was training in California and Tim was Deployed, My friend Annette lives in a town outside Hood, and she has horses and offered to take us riding.. the kids had a lot of fun!

Me and Annette, we havent seen eachother since Germany, Chase was 11 months and Isaac was 2 and half!

I LOVE this picture of Ashlynne, it shows how much she loves animals,

Ryleigh, Isaac, Tegan and McKenna waiting their turn!

Ashlynne kept trying to climb the fence to get closer to the horses.

Chase is my animal lover too!

Ashlynnes first haircut!

2011-06-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Ashlynne got her first haircut while Doug was at NTC, she was ok at firs then HATED IT!
She cried, but then the ladies that work at this kids salon was awesome, she had puppets and candy, that made her alot better!

In the end she got a cute haircut and I think she looks so grown up!
I dont know when she will get another one, Doug likes her with long hair, but we shall see:)

Chase turned 5 years old!

2011-06-13T20:08:00.000-07:00

Chase and his birthday cake

His huge Pinata, it was awesome!

can you tell Chase loved his birthday cake.. it was seriously awesome! and DELICIOUS! I finally had to throw it away because I kept eating it.. GOSH!

All the birthday kids! it was awesome, I love having my friends over and that the kids all get along so well! It truly is awesome!

My sweet boy turned 5 years old on March 29th, I can still remember giving birth to him, and seeing him for the first time, and thinking he had the best lips ever, they were pink and pouty, he had perfect skin coloring, he was such a great baby, and amazing eater and even better sleeper.
Chase wanted "How to train your dragon" birthday party.. we got a gigantic dragon pinata that didnt want to break, and we had a few water games, the kids mostly played, and we had a small bbq. Chase loves parties, but he is all about the birthday cakes, so I splurged and had my friend Sara make the cake, and it was amazing! He loved it!

First Birthday Party!

2011-06-13T20:06:00.000-07:00

Ashlynne was invited to her first REAL birthday party.. She had so much fun, and what she is wearing was in the goodie bags, they decorated sunglasses, cookies and ate lots of yummy food! She had a blast.. and she really rocked the BLING!

This party was in March 2011 :)

Wax on... Wax off!

2011-04-27T14:42:00.000-07:00

Isaac and Chase started Karate in the middle of March, and they love it.. it is a fairly laid back facility.. but I think the more up tight, more expensive one, would have not worked with my boys personalities..
Here is Isaac before Class

They were doing weapons and he hit himself in the eye with Nun-Chucks.. of course the next day and the day after that, the bruise got really bad, and spread.

Such a cute picture of him, I told him to give me a serious face. LOL

Here is my cute chase, that giggles and falls to the floor quite a bit, Mr. James really likes Chase, I think for the fact that he is a funny sounding kid compared to the others. he is always making noises.. and if you know Chase, that is very normal!

Another picture of my sweet boy.. he just loves his Karate class!
All in all its really great for them, they love going to class, they always want to stay for the 2nd and third class, which is sparring, and weapons or forms..
Since Karate has started, our schedule has definitely changed, the kids are not in bed as early as I would like them to be, but personalities and dispositions are starting to change and I can see the difference, and I think that is much better than being so strict on their bedtime schedule, I am glad that I am finally finding extra activities for them to do, I will be adding sports in there also, but not anytime soon:)

Request...

2011-04-17T17:17:00.000-07:00

Ok so this is as full length as it got.. I can always put it on again and do a REAL full length.. It went a few inches above the floor and had a light goldy champagne heels on.. not so comfy after a few hours.. I had them off when I sat down..:P

You can be my Hero Baby!

2011-04-16T19:17:00.001-07:00

We had our Military Dine-Out March 25th, I had less than a weeks notice to get a formal ball gown, that was modest! off to Davids Bridal I went with my Mother in Law.. it was the only place we went and I had everything in less than 2 hours time.. it was really fun, I felt like I was trying on wedding dresses again, well except they werent white, but watching the brides try on their dresses, was just fun, I think I could sit in a bridal shop all day.. it was just such a fun environment.. after 9 years I forgot:) I love this picture of Doug down there... not very often does he smile normal for a picture!

He loves to dip me...

Doug and I had a great time, dressing up, going out and being able to enjoy eachother. I wish we could do this more often.. trust me in the next few months, we will be going out more.. There are alot of things I love about Doug, but one thing is.. he could care less what people think of him.. he loves to have fun.. and will make sure he embarrasses so I do have fun.. because in the end, he knows that I love to have fun, but sometimes depending on the situation, I have to get embarrassed first to get out of my shell and say forget it! He knows me, and knows me well.. he is my bestfriend, and I couldnt imagine my life without him.. I am grateful my life.. and what a great life I have.. even if sometimes its super super super hard!

My Babies

2011-04-16T19:04:00.000-07:00

Here are a few recent pictures that I took of the kids while we were at the Ft. Bliss having a family day just walking around letting the kids be kids.. Ashlynne, our little Diva... our sweet girl 3 years old. Her favorite thing to do recently, is put real food in her NOT so real kitchen.. I have to keep a close eye on her.. she is a sneaky thing! Isaac my 6 year old, my independant, defiant child.. He is so full of life.. he is all boy, and he is very aware of What is going on around our household..

Chase, my (at the time the pic was taken) 4 years old

He is my quiet sensitive child, that never fails gets a wild hair

at bed time, that drives me crazy, he is my gamer, he can play

his WII or DS 24/7 if I let him, he loves school, and is really

good at helping out if there is a good reward at the end!

I am so proud of these three children of mine.. they are the center of my world, and I couldnt imagine life without them, they keep me happy and pulling my hair out all at the same time. They are strong children, and I truley believe that these little children came to me with strong personalities.. being military children they have to be, moving every few years, daddy gone for weeks, months and a year at a time. They all have their individual struggles, but these siblings love eachother so much.. I know that they have to be such good friends with our lifestyle. Soon Doug will be leaving again.. and people ask me if I will be going home.. I think to myself, where is home? Home is where my family is.. The very place Doug is leaving.. all I say is I am staying in Texas... keeping the kids in their schools, their activities and their church.. everything they know. I have to keep the normalicy of their lives as stable as possible. I Love Isaac, Chase and Ashlynne with all my heart..

Saying goodbye....

2011-04-13T21:44:00.000-07:00

It was terrible to say goodbye to Patrick and Paige, I hate living so far away from them, especially now that my sweet nephew has joined the family.. I totally cried, I couldnt help it.. I miss them so much! We had a great time, and wish we could see you again sooner rather than later! Thank you so much for coming down and seeing us.. it was perfect..

If you want to see more and better pictures of the trip you can go to Paige and Patricks link, on the side of my blog list.. she has awesome pictures!

FREE TICKETS You say!

2011-04-13T21:39:00.001-07:00

Doug gets free tickets at work for local events.. this time it was for the UTEP Miners basketball team.. so we all went.. it was nosebleed seats.. cant you see the huge score board behind him! Me and Paige.. I think she may have gotten a bit of sun!

Poor baby boy, was so tired, and doesnt like a whole lot

of noise, see patricks finger in his ear..

The family.. it was fun!

Funny thing.. well not so funny, we get there, and about 10 minutes into the game, Ashlynne said she has to go to the bathroom, so I said, ok, lets go.. well low and behold, she had already went, and she went BOTH 1 and 2.. so Doug took her down to the bathroom, flushed her panties down the toilet.. good thing they are high flushing toilets.. and washed her shorts up and put them back on her wet.. we stayed for pretty much the whole game.. she didnt mine! lol..

I dont remember who won!

The bunny bite!

2011-04-13T21:36:00.000-07:00

At the ER... She got 2 stitches I think, but needed atleast 4.. dumb nurse! Poor baby girl... that hurt

She was a trooper and Doug was really good at distracting her!

Her finger has healed so well, you cant even tell that she had stitches...

She was so quick to put her finger in the bunny cage, Doug was a half step behind her when it all happened, I swear its always Ashlynne getting hurt, or eating things she shouldnt be to make us have to do ER runs.. thank goodness she was ok!

Cattlemans Ranch.. and a finger hungry bunny

2011-04-13T21:31:00.000-07:00

We were told of this place outside of El Paso, called Cattlemans Ranch, its supposed to have a fabulous restaurant and a mini zoo.. so we decided to take Patrick and Paige there, we got there, went down to do the Tractor ride around the ranch to some adobe houses and a movie set, Courage underfire was filmed.. we had a great time.. Me and Doug.... the Family at a Adobe house.

Outhouse!

On the Tractor ride!

Just getting on!

It was fun until Ashlynne decided to stick her finger in the bunny cage!

More of P and P

2011-04-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

Paige and Ashlynne Chase and Doug.. no he wasnt sleeping

Love this picture... its just so fun.. we were waiting for the

Sea Lion demonstration I think..

Uncle Paige and Auntie Patrick come to visit!!!!

2011-04-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

Paige and Patrick flew down to visit on February 17th, they stayed for 4 days, and we had a great time, it definitely wasnt long enough.. and we look exhausted in majority of the pictures because we were trying to get in as much time with them as possible before they had to say goodbye:( We went to the El Paso Zoo!!! Me and Isaac

me and Ash

This was the first morning that they were here.. and Doug got maybe 5 hours of sleep,

Here is our newest nephew Anderson, he is adorable and sweet, and cuddly.. we LOVED HIM!

It is Hot on Valentines day!

2011-04-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

Did you know that if you left Crayons out in February that they will Melt? Well not in Oregon, but when you are in El Paso they will.. I have learned my lesson :) Doug was gone for Valentines day.. What? I dont believe it;)

I have been buying the kids a heart pizza on Valentines day for the last 3 years

They love it!

EL PASO SHUT DOWN!

2011-04-13T21:15:00.000-07:00

We had Snow and a Freeze in El Paso, and they are not equipt for the weather that we had, and the schools were shut down, we werent supposed to take showers, do dishes or laundry, or drink the water.. it was quite interesting.. Doug got a snow day from work, which was awesome! Ashlynne insisted on going outside in the snow with no clothes on.. this is a normal occurance in our house, she doesnt really like clothes all that much! She finally got some on, after she realized how cold it was outside!

Doug and Isaac throwing snowballs at me while taking pictures!

I love this pic!

Here is another for your viewing pleasure!

My little Miss is 3 years old!

2011-04-13T21:08:00.000-07:00

How is it possible that Ashlynne is 3 years old already, I feel like I just brought her home from the hospital and looking like a spitting image of her daddy! She is so girly.. she loves her shoes, she loves jewelry, makeup, anything Cinderella, Minnie Mouse.. She is Smart, Feisty, a complete Diva with an attitude, but she can be so sweet and caring, and very protective of her brothers.. but she also loves to push their buttons. Here she is blowing out her birthday cake, and not to toot my own horn, but yes, I made her birthday cake with the help of my friend Cristine. All of her little friends that came to her party..

Here she is in all her glory, I couldnt imagine our family without you, we love you so much Ashlynne!

Happy Birthday Lesa:)

2011-04-13T21:01:00.000-07:00

I turned 32 this year, and I dont feel it at all.. My girlfriends and Iwent to Olive Garden for my birthday, and it was fabulous! Thank you for coming. Doug and the kids took me out to Red Lobster for my birthday a few days before since, my birthday was on the wednesday, and then he had everyone over for Tacos, cake and Icecream on another day.. I dont remember all the days since it was a few months ago. I have a lot to be grateful for, my family, my health, my home, my friends.. 32 is great, thanks for celebrating with me!

It Snowed in El Paso!!!!

2011-04-13T20:58:00.000-07:00

This was the first snow and it was a day or two after christmas, and if you cant tell the kids were so excited, they didnt even get their shoes or jackets on.. and we didnt even care:)

And it didnt stick for very long.... I didnt mind that at all.

Our Family

2011-04-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

Our family on Christmas eve.. Yah we like to Kiss..

The kids in front of the christmas tree.. heading to bed!

Fun in Pjs!

2011-04-13T20:46:00.000-07:00

Another Tradition.. for as long as I can remember on Christmas eve, we have always sang songs, someone in my family can play the guitar or Piano.. we would always sing Christmas songs, and it was so fun.. here are Chase and Isaac singing and dancing to whatever Danny is playing on the guitar.. for Christmas I got Danny a huge guitar book of christmas songs, I gave it to him early so we could listen to him play for a few days before Christmas, it was great!

Isaac, Chase, Tegan, Ryleigh, McKenna and Ashlynne in their new Christmas Pajamas

yah its kind of hard to get 6 kids to sit and take a good picture!

Christmas Eve Dinner..

2011-04-13T20:39:00.000-07:00

I tried to keep a bit of tradition for Christmas eve since all of our family was so far away.. we had.. and it was a hit with everyone!

*Cheese Fondue

*Chocolate Fondue

*Stuffed Mushrooms

*homemade biscottie

*meatballs

*Deviled Eggs

*Shrimp

*Sparkling Cider

There was so much food, but we had a great time..

I interupt this Christmas portion.....

2011-02-09T12:32:00.000-08:00

Because we had a fabulous family day with my husband in the feild.... They made us a terrible lunch... it was freezing.. but being able to spend a few hours with my husband, and seeing where he is at during the week, and showing the kids the really loud Tanks shoot.. I actually didnt love any of it, except being with my husband..
Here is Ashlynne on one of the tanks...
They got to jump, climb, push buttons and see everything about the tanks, the soldiers were really good about talking to them and answering all of the kids questions, and there were a LOT of kids... Here are the kids keeping warm in Dougs vehicle, its not technically a tank since he isnt a tanker, but it holds all of Dougs equiptment that he needs for his job (communications), and the bench that Ashlynne and Chase are on, is where doug sleeps.. comfy huh! but its warm and that is all that matters...

Chase with Dougs pistol.. Dougs last unit he had a huge rifle looking gun, dont ask me the name of it cause I really dont know..

and Isaac too.. actually I think I have a post with Isaac and Doug when he deployed and Isaac is in the same position with the rifle..

Doug and the kids.. it was DIRTY out there.. then again we are in El Paso..

Me and My Sweets... it was a gorgeous day.. but it was windy and cold.. I dont know how they handle that.. no thank you!

I just didnt want to forget to post this, it was a great day with my family, and the kids got to see what daddy did.. it was fun to see what Doug did.. even when most the time he sits around.. but taking the kids out of school and having family time is the best:)

Finished products!

2011-02-06T21:56:00.000-08:00

Tegans house.
Chases house

This is the Adobe style house.. we started running out of graham crackers ;)

Gingerbread house making!

2011-02-06T21:49:00.000-08:00

I Love that every year we make gingerbread houses... This year was alot of fun... we actually did it out of graham crackers.. and my brother Danny, Doug, and I were pretty much in competition of who could build the best house.. the kids fought over my master piece.. ya it was that good:)
Here is Ryleigh with her finished product.. and you can see Chases too

Just starting out.

I think the kids did eat more Candy than what went on the houses

Some of the Candy that was used

I know that no ones faces are showing, but I LOVE that Tegan is cracking up...

El Paso Zoo!!!

2011-01-26T19:57:00.000-08:00

The kids at the giraffe Exhibit...

This was such a beautiful sight..... I love my sweet 2 year olds, but boy were they a handful... Me and Isaac at the zoo!

Ryleigh and Tegan

This was actually a pretty decent zoo... it was big enough to see alot of animals, but small enough to get thru in a few hours.. the kids really liked the training with the seals.. I think it was seals. LOL!

This and that from Christmas!

2011-01-26T19:47:00.000-08:00

Brinna is hardcore workout lady.. seriously she ROCKs... Ashlynne decided she wanted to work out with her, she is a good workout buddy :) The kids taking it easy watching cartoons... this was a rare moment by the way..

Danny and Doug hanging Christmas lights

A Few of my favorite decorations.. I dont have a ton!

I bought this santa this year from Kirklands.. first of all LOVE this store, and second, I fell in love with this Santa, I Love the old fashioned look!

HO HO HO 2010!!!

2011-01-26T19:24:00.000-08:00

Ok yah Bad Christmas tree, but really it was a BAD christmas tree.. we got a free Christmas tree from a service called Trees for Troops, they do it every year for soldiers. you have to qualify, and they are free.. but the catch is, you they are already binded up, so you just have to guess..
This tree was PATHETIC.. Doug seriously was going to go out and buy a tree... I said with 6 kids 6 and under.. this is fine! the kids didnt care.. infact, I didnt bring out my glass ornaments, I bought plastic ornaments from walmart.. this tree was decorated, undecorated and redecorated, a million times.. but I didnt care cause they couldnt hurt a thing! Here is Isaac putting up ornaments..

and chase....

And Ashlynne....

We had a Great Christmas, my Sister in Law Brinna came with my Neices Ryleigh, McKenna and Nephew Tegan.. My brother Danny came too, and I was so glad we were able to spend it with family this year.. especially since being in Texas! We did fun stuff.. and also just hung out! I am also so greatful that we had my sweet sweet husband here for the holidays... cause next year.. guess what... he wont be:( such is the life of a soldier and his family... but I am so proud of him and his love for our Country and that he serves our country honorably!

Loves....

2011-01-26T19:21:00.000-08:00

I LOVED This sunset... I went out and had to take a few pictures right away... it was beautiful and made me love Texas even more.. ok.. my allergies will beg to differ!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVES!!!!

2011-01-26T19:13:00.000-08:00

My sweet sweet husband turned 37 years old this year... we went to dinner as a family and I made a sweet sweet birthday cake.. DONT. BE. JEALOUS... of the birthday bag and cake.. hahaha I love this picture!

SINGING HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

The present was so much better than the bage and cake.. Love you

SWEETS!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-01-26T19:06:00.000-08:00

This is the only picture I got from Thanksgiving.. I obviously got sidetracked.. but This is Anna.. and her due date was about 2 weeks away... I forced her to go Black Friday shopping with me and Cristine.. it was both their black friday shopping experience.. and it was awesome, we got some AMAZING deals, and when it was all said and done, we did pedicures afterwards.. and YES it will be done next year as well! on Friday night Anna was feeling contractions.. they spent the night because the boys got home too late.. and she was uncomfortable to drive back to Cruces.. so on Saturday they went home.. they called us Saturday night that she was in Labor.. I went up to the Hospital Sunday mid morning with our other friend Jeaneice, and she delivered sweet sweet Jillian that afternoon.. once again. I love my friends here, I am so grateful for Anna, Cristine and Jeaneice.. Thanks ladies.. Oh and Happy Thanksgiving! We did have a great Thanksgiving by the way, Cristine and Nathan Holtgrewe came over and so did Anna and Ryan Allred.. we enjoyed tons of food and deserts.. next time we will have to add the games we intended to play but never got too!

aH MaRiO!!!!

2011-01-09T19:34:00.000-08:00

Chases favorite person right now is Mario.. He Loves his Super Mario Games. he Loves the sounds it makes, and he Loves his WII and DS! ha! So of course for Chase he wanted to Be Mario and wanted Doug to be Luigi.. well we got the outfit for Doug and he put it on, and it DID NOT FIT. and I will spare you the picture. ha! so here is the picture of me and sorry its sideways.. at the px Grand Opening at Ft. Bliss the VOicE Of MARIO was there, Chase was annoyed that we stayed in line instead of letting him play the game right across the way.. but once he started talking to Chase, he was mesmerized, and by mesmerized, he held his and the whole time, then started talking his ear off, we probably talked for the guy at least 15 minutes, and the mand didnt even care, he kept saying how much he is enjoying Chase and the he loves how attentive Chase was.. this was such a great treat for Chase!

Sorry for the really long line behind us :)

Here is Chase and the Voice of Mario, I dont remember his name right now, but we got signatures and everything

2011-01-09T19:04:00.000-08:00

We went Fishing too!!!! we went to a fish farm and it was a lot of fun also. the kids have never been fishing too.. well they have watched Doug fish, but never done it themselves.

They each caught fish, and I did too, well helping Ashlynne because she didnt want anything to do with the fish. it freaked her out actually.

Here is Doug helping Chase... he didnt need to much help except to get the fish off the hook!

it was a bamboo and string type fishing.. good ole fashioned way!Me and Ashlynne.. with our fish.. she is looking but squeeling the whole time!

Doug and the kids with their poles!

Isaac and his first fish.. he LOVED it!

Chase and his first fish too!

We were so grateful to be able to go on this trip, it was a great family retreat, we learned alot about our relationship and things to work on... but overall realized we have so much to be grateful for and are so blessed in so many ways.. we are healthy, happy and together!

Giddy up!

2011-01-09T18:50:00.000-08:00

We went horseback riding while we were in Ruidoso, it was part of the program as the family retreat.. and it was sooo much fun, the kids have never ridden a horse, and I rode one once tandem on my cousins horse. Here is Ashlynne and Doug, She loved the horse, and couldnt get enough!This was part of the view when we were riding horses, here is me and doug and ashlynne!

Look at the blue lake, it was soooo beautiful.

Here is Isaac.. look at that excited face!

Ash and Doug

Mike, Isaac and Chase

Chase and Isaac really got the hang of it.. they got ahold of those reigns and really took control of those horses.. it was awesome.

Ruidoso, New Mexico...

2011-01-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

A few weeks after we got to El Paso, our friends the Hortons invited us on a family retreat to Ruidoso, New Mexico, this is up in the mountains, and its super gorgeous, reminds me of Oregon, and driving to the coast.. without the coastal smell... next to our hotel there was this Castle looking place and the kids wanted us to keep driving through it.. it was pretty cool... and come to find out it was a storage company. hahaa, but it was still fun to see.Here we are by the Golf Course and a Hotel Casino, it had an indian name.. and I cant remember, but Ms. New Mexico was there taping stuff, the kids loved her crown,

here we are in front of the lake. it was pretty cold there..

Ash and Doug

downtown Ruidoso
The kids and Mike (behind the hood) lol

The family, gotta get a picture with my peep!

"carving" our pumpkins!

2011-01-08T21:17:00.000-08:00

Since we lived in our HOTEL for 6 weeks.. I didnt want to carve pumpkins this year, so I found at the px the "potatoe head for pumpkins," I brought them home and the kids were so excited..

Here is Chase showing his off.. And Isaac too!

All three kids..

Here is a pic of all the kids at the pumpkin patch, Isaac was so mad that he wanted throw "signs" with his hands, I just wanted a cute pic. hahaa. we did get some gang sign pics. no worries!

And all the kids that were with us at the Pumpkin patch!

anya, eric, monica, isaac, ashlynne, chase, mike, james and leah!

I am so excited to live near my great friends, and that my kids be around life long friends!

So grateful for all of our blessing so far here in El Paso. ... it has made our move so much easier!

Pumpkins..

2011-01-08T21:05:00.000-08:00

Here are friends, Mike, Isaac and Monica

they were on the hay ride... getting the pumpkins!Ash and Daddy.
Ashs's pumpkin.. we did little ones since we didnt carve them, since we were in a hotel!

Chases pumpkin!

And Isaacs!

We had to be careful, because our friend Jeaneice said that when we pick up our pumpkins up, there could be black widows under there.. nasty.. it would have been nice to know before, then I wouldnt have put them in flip flops! ha.

First Activity in El Paso, with our Friends!

2011-01-08T20:53:00.000-08:00

We met the Anna and Ryan, Jeaneice and her family, and Cristine and her kids at the Mesilla Valley Pumpkin Patch, and the kids had so much fun...

The Kids rode these bikes in a small hay bale maze, the kids did it a few times and loved it!

My sweet girl Ashlynne!and the boys.. they really had a blast!

Oh Cotton Candy.. I love that its almost the size of their heads! ha!

Isaac!

Ashlynne!

Now Mind you, its in the middle of October.. and my kids are in Shorts and T-shirts... it was around 90 degrees that day.. we were LOVING IT!

A star, I see THE star... of Texas!!!!!

2010-11-29T21:24:00.000-08:00

The thing I LOVE about Texas.. besides the sun, is their stars... they line the structures of the bridge... like here.. This star is always lit up at night near central Texas... next to Juarez... the kids love this star.

We were so excited to see this sign after 4 days on the road.

The first Star in Anthony, Texas!

Next Stop.... ARIZONA!!!!

2010-11-27T21:06:00.000-08:00

The boys loved seeing an orange on the tree.. they didnt even care that it was green! This was on the Temple grounds in Mesa... yes we picked it!The Mesa, Arizona Temple

The family...see Chase loved the orange!

We saw Stephen too.. it had been a few years (too long) since we had seen eachother.. we met at RedRobin...and then we went to his house, the kids loved the dogs, and we drooled over his house! Miss you Stephen!!!

We stayed at Julia and Efrens, my stepsisters house, she has 5 kids, and my boys were having so much fun.. they didnt want to leave!

Gabe, Chase,Sam(cant really see him) Nate holding Tyler, Isaac, Ashlynne and Zeke

just to let you know, Sam and Chase are the exact same age. born on the same day!

this was then morning we left, dont we look awesome!

Julia was up over half the night doing homework, and I just felt like a mac truck hit me from all the traveling!

Next stop HOME SWEET HOTEL! EL PASO!

Heading to the Big State of Texas!

2010-11-23T16:44:00.000-08:00

Well since I am so behind, I decided to jump to traveling to El Paso, and our adventures since we have gotten here!

Here we are at a rest stop between Fresno and Pheonix.. can you tell the DS was a staple in our car.. and let me tell you, we went thru 3... let me repeat 3 of the same dual screen portable dvd players.. if finally worked and that helped our drive as well! we were packed in the back and on top!Doug posing next to the desert!

Isaac taking a break out of the car to climb a tree!

so a little backwards, but here is Grandpa with Doug and the boys.. Grandpa always fills them up with otterpops before taking off, they usually get as many was they want! :)

Me, my mom and Ashlynne!

I really like this picture too:)

HEY MARIO!

2010-11-16T08:21:00.000-08:00

Chase wanted to be Mario for Halloween unfortunately Isaac didnt want to be Luigi, so we found

a costume that we thought would fit Doug, I will not post the picture of Doug in the costume, it would be too humilitating, I was laughing so hard that I started crying and just about peed my pants, seriously, lets just put it this way, it didnt fit! but I did get a pic for me. LOL

So I put the costume on, and then just wore the hat trunk or treating, I am not big into dressing up.. never have been!

Chase was so excited!

I will add the pic later, but Chase is a mario fanatic and here at the px on ft. bliss, the voice of Mario, Luigi and the other characters were here signing autographs, Isaac could careless, but Chase was in awwww, he wouldnt let go of the mans hand, and the guy talked to Chase for almost 20 minutes, alot longer than any of the other kids.. Chase just couldnt get enough, it was awesome!

Here we are in our costumes!

Jelly Belly Factory!

2010-11-08T20:55:00.000-08:00

After our Rest Stop, we went to the Jelly Belly Factory... I dont think the tour is that great, but picking out all the jelly bellys were great!

Here we are in front of the building.. like my hat, you have to wear it during the tour. so dumb!

The kids in front of the Belly Van!

My mom and DannyWanny!

Me and Doug!

When on road trips, we always try to find fun places to stop and let the kids run around.. luckily this was sort of on the way to Fresno.

Rest Stop Junkies!

2010-11-07T13:59:00.000-08:00

This is just a fun post to share, before Doug and I went to Hawaii, we caravaned with my mom, David and my brother Danny.. we took a pit stop by Mt, Shasta and stopped to eat and let the kids run around.. and we all needed to stretch.. Here are some fun pics we took at the pit stop!

Danny, me and my mom, it took 6 pics to get us all in the picture! hahaa

Me and Danny, Isaac actually took this picture, its just funny. well to us anyway.

Thumbs up!

Doug totally snagged an oreo.. dont worry we had plenty more!

We had fun!

Grateful

2010-11-04T06:39:00.000-07:00

I LOVE this military man of mine.. I am sitting here in a dark room, listening to my two youngest babies sleeping, one is wimpering in her sleep because she got the door slammed on her little pointer finger, and its super sore, and the other one is just breathing deeply.. I am so grateful for a patient man in my life, that is willing to take control when I am just done... love me unconditionally, when I know he just wants to shake me and tell me to be a big girl! I love my family so much, I love my husand for all he does for our family, I am grateful for this holiday season that he will be here with us, we get him home for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.. he will leave for a month, and I even get him for VALENTINES DAY! I am frusterated about the house, and we will be in it soon, BUT, I have so much to be grateful for, and I am so blessed beyond words. I have an amazing family, my children have been so awesome with the transition (I think new toys have helped), new teachers, schools, friends, church..they miss their stuff so much, Chase keeps asking for his tuffy, a little stuffed dog that I didnt even think to keep out.. Doug gave it to them with a dvd of him reading him a story at the airport waiting to go back to Afghanistan.. I told him that Tuffy is gaurding all his toys so they will be safe when we get to our new house.. he was really ok with that. I am also blessed with wonderful Texas weather, I know that it gets nasty hot in the summer time, but I am soooo happy with the sun I cant even explain it to you, I am hoping my vitamin D levels have gone up. LOL.. Overall, my life is great, fantastic, amazing husband, my beautiful babies, they are resilient and happy..
I will be updating more frequently, I think this will help me keep my mind off negative subjects. I have lots to update on and pictures to add.. I just need to bring my camera in to upload everything!

Our New Home

2010-10-28T18:47:00.001-07:00

So I wasnt going to do pics first, but I am not in the mood to re arrange everything, so everything will be super random.. so I will just start out with everything, now mind you, if you are on FB you have seen all my pics, but I did add an extra pic at the end that has our appliances installed.. just one last step and we have our keys, come on VA just appraise our house already! GUH!!! I really do want to scream by the way. I want my own place again!

The FRONT of our house!
As you walk in, our front room, dining combo.

Our TV/Office off of our kitchen.

Our Kitchen Sans Appliances. we will also be getting an Island cause its
big enough for one, there are TWO pantrys! woo hoo!

First of all, I want to preface that I am really enjoying El Paso, I love the weather and am enjoying NOT having rain... I love being close to my great friends.. Jeaneice is only 10 minutes from us, and they have been so much help.. and also invited us to a Family Retreat in Ruidoso, New Mexico, and that was amazing! Cristine is going to be about 4 minutes from us, we have hung out a few times, but the times I go to hang out for more than 20 minutes, my appt calls early, and I take off, then she ends up watching my daughter.. Thanks Cristine, seriously we will be doing more stuff together, I am so happy we are neighbors!!! Anna is 45 minutes from us, and although that isnt very far, it still is.. atleast it is for Me and Anna.. when we go up to see her in Las Cruses, I dont ever want to leave, and Ryan always asks if we brought Pjs, we might just do it one of these days.. LOL!

And Our Black Appliances.. they were worth EVERY.FLIPPING.PENNY.

Can I puke now? LOL

We are figuring out the NE area of El Paso, we have ventured a little on the West Side, but have yet to play on the East side which has all the good shopping, I am assuming we will do that this weekend, since I am in MAJOR need of shopping therapy.. and I am NOT joking! We have been in this hotel since October 10.. I am really starting to not be a very nice mom or wife. I am very irritable and losing my patience. Doug is being so awesome and touches my shoulder gives me a kiss, and says.. soon, we will be out soon! He knows how to calm me down.. although it still cant come fast enough!

The boys are in school, Isaac is in a Kinder/1st grade split, which I am grateful for, but I am going to have to put the smack down on him acting up, I know alot of it is, that we are not on a good routine and he is acting out, but seriously the poor teacher looked distraught.. he never was like this in Washington.. well besides the time he punched a kid in the mouth and made him bleed, but the teacher said it was a complete accident (whoops) We will see how monday goes, cause I gave Isaac the "what for" and he will be losing lots of privileges if he keeps acting up.

Chase is in a class called Pre-K Collaborative, and I am really excited about this class and so wished Washington had this for Isaac. But its pretty much a regular class, but has 4 teachers to help the kids more one on one. Chase goes to a different school about a mile away.. right off the same main road as Isaac. The school is called Parkland. I hope he does well, Chase doesnt like Change. He was going to Desertaire, but the Special Ed teacher wanted to change him, since he has social skills.. or doesnt like to play with other children unless his brother is playing too.

Ashlynne, well she is Ashlynne, fiesty and sweet! She is doing good.. has been really clingy to me, but is going with the flow.

So We just had the Walk through with our house, seriously 2 hours to walk through a 1500sqft house, I am glad it wasnt bigger! It would have been fine if the kids were screaming THE. WHOLE.FREAKING.TIME!

The VA has been requested so I am so hoping we will be in next week. please pray and cross your knees! it might help a little bit!

Sorry everything is spaced, but thanks for reading. LOL

Doug Dancing in Hawaii

2010-10-03T22:37:00.000-07:00

Doug was pulled up on the stage at the Luau, I will admit, the most gorgeous Dancer picked him, she had the biggest "coconuts", and the dang cutest dimple! He is hilarious dancing!!!

School Daze!

2010-09-30T23:32:00.000-07:00

So Ashlynne isnt technically in school, but she wasnt going to miss out on her pictures being taken! She is just so fun at this age, although at times, a little naughty too, but goodness how can you not look at that face and just smile cause she is so darn cute!Chase, 4 years old, Preschool with Teacher Jackie Hill @ Evergreen Elementary

So excited for his first day of school!

Isaac 6 years old, 1st grade, Hillside Elementary, Mrs, Sumers

Always a happy boy!

This year was a bit different for us, School officially started September 8th, but since we were on vacation, the boys didnt start til the 20th, and they will be out of school in Washington on the 5th of October. Where we will be moving our family to El Paso, Texas, and Doug will be stationed at Ft. Bliss.

We dont have a home yet down there, so the boys will once again be out of school. but hopefully not too long.

HE'S HOME!!!!!!

2010-07-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

Last years picture saying goodbye to Doug, and our family back together again welcoming home from a VERY LONG ALMOST 13 month Deployment! I am so grateful Doug is back home safe.. There was so many ups and downs this deployment and dealing with them without Doug and he without me was tough. I love Doug so much and am so glad he is home for atleast another year.. we have lots to look forward to; our little vacation with no kids to Hawaii.. visiting my mom.. and moving to Texas. glad its not in the summer time! Thank you all for your prayer, love and support, I wouldnt have been able to go through this deployment without all of you! I am soooooo happy I finally have my husband home.. and the kids are just as excited to have the fun parent home.

ps, I will post more pictures of the welcome home ceremony soon!

My 6 Year Old Boy!

2010-07-20T14:11:00.000-07:00

I cant believe Isaac is 6 years old.. I remember being sicker than a dog with him just weeks after arriving in Germany.. He is my first born..and I couldnt take my eyes off of him, he was a high maintanance baby to start and he is still very high maintanance but I wouldnt want it any other way. he is smart, funny, has a great imagination, he is the best big brother and makes sure everyone treats his siblings nice.. not a day goes by that he doesnt come and cuddle with me and tells me that he loves me. I love everything about this little guy!
Isaac you bring so much joy and happiness into our family we love you so much and hope you had a fantastic day! LOVE YOU!
6 things that Isaac loves
1. Skateboards
2. Karate (I need to enroll him)
3. swords/guns/weapons
4. his friends
5.being outside
6.his daddy being home and wresting with him.. that should be number 1 on the list!

Baseball

2010-06-23T20:16:00.000-07:00

Isaac did Tee Ball this year.. and he really liked it.. he had a GREAT coach and that really helped him enjoy the sport and to excell in it as well.. This kid can throw a ball.. he might stumble and fall alot.. but he has an arm that would surprise you.. and he is quick too when he wants to be. He had a great year and had so much fun.. running to first.

running home!

Isaac and his coach at the end of teeball party

Ashlynne loves her brother and will always go up to him and give him a hug.. and he is so good at recieving them.. he loves her too..

saying goodbye!

2010-06-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

We had the sweetest most loving kitty kitty meow meow, that was his name.. I know lame. but we couldnt get the kids to call him anything else, so kitty kitty stuck! He was a rescue kitten at Petsmart adoption center, and I saw him and fell in love.. the kids were sooo good to him and he was great with the kids. he had funny little quirks.. and ate while he talked, which was cute... I always knew when he was eating.

I noticed that me and the kids kept getting sick once we got the kitten.. just little things.. colds, coughs.. sniffles.. then it started getting worse and more frequent. then the kids looked like they had pink eye.. it was bad, it didnt matter what I did, it wouldnt go away.. arithromycin (sp) cleaning everything every day.. sanitizing.. and mind you my house isnt dirty.. lots of kid clutter.. but not dirty.

I found out that I was allergic to the cats skin.. not dander.. but his skin.. and I said forget it.. hes gone.. the kids HAVE to be allergic to him.. that would make sense.. my kids dont get sick... they are healthy kids.. and rarely get sick.. so this was utterly frusterating for me.

I talked to my mother in law and they were willing to take him.. they love cats.. and I knew they would take great care of him. we dont stay at their house.. not a whole lot of room.. so it wasnt going to be a problem with them having the cat.

I dropped him off in Portland.. came home and did some major spring cleaning.. put the couch cushion casings (say that fast three times. LOL) in the washing maching. pulled up the rug swept, mopped, vacuumed the curtains.. and washed all our beddings and re dusted everything..

guess what... MY KIDS ARE HEALTHY AGAIN! seriously we are animal lovers, but not if it makes us sick.. its been 2 weeks and my kids are back! this is the longest they all three have been healthy since having this cat.

the end!

MUD RUN!

2010-06-11T10:41:00.001-07:00

So I forgot my camera.. so if you want to see pics of the 5K mudrun you can go to my Sister in law Paiges blog on the right side.. paige and patrick.. its a fun post.. so go look!

2010-06-10T15:13:00.001-07:00

Back up to 5 weeks... its never going to END!

Whats the date again????

2010-06-02T08:37:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 10th, 2010

that is our new report date!

So let me just give you the low down on our schedule this summer and then tell me not to stress just a tiny bit.

Doug gets back home in about 4 weeks..

he will be home 4 weeks

August 3rd - 23rd he is at WLC (sgt School)

August 24-September 24th we are on vacation

September 7th - 14th we are in Hawaii

We have to leave Ft. Lewis to start driving to Ft. Bliss no later than October 1st..

Looks like all the briefings, scheduling for household good pick ups and whatever else will be done before Doug goes to WLC

and before Doug goes to WLC I want a yard sale. we need to get rid of some things.

The boys are missing the first week of school since we are in Hawaii. they will be in school for 2 weeks, then they will be going to a new school 2 weeks later..

I really am trying to concentrate on Doug coming home.. but WOWZAS that is alot going to happen in 4 months time.

oh Happy Day!

2010-05-30T21:19:00.000-07:00

See that place called El Paso, Texas... that is where we are moving to between December and February..
Doug and I werent super excited at first.. now we are looking forward to the adventure of complete weather change.. and being closer to great friends. It will be sad leaving family.. but Doug and I LOVE to travel, we love to see new place, and experience new surroundings. This will hopefully be a great place to be for 3 years!

hmmmm....

2010-05-27T11:37:00.001-07:00

I am going to write this.. well cause its my blog..and well.. I want to vent... and to just get things off my chest...
I am sick and tired of being tired... I know its nearing the end of the deployment.. but i have hardly any energy left.. and when I think Doug will be home in 3 weeks.. its back up to 5 weeks.. maybe longer.. who knows its the freaking Army... speaking of the Army.. I just sooo wish that we were getting out.. but right now its just not the right time.. and today Doug said.. probably in 4 years it wont be the right time either.. seriously? what can I say to that.. he is the bread winner.. he is financially taking care of us.. I miss him so much that I just want him home.. and to not go anywhere for a long time.. but a month after he gets home, he leaves again for a month long Sgt training school.. yes he should be home at nights and maybe weekends.. but still... its not for sure.
Days like these I just want to cry.. I hate Washington weather.. yes I will be going to the exact opposite to completely hot desert... but atleast the Sun will freaking shine.. I miss my mom, I miss my friends.. I miss my husband...
I am so grateful that my kids are sooo wonderful.. they are so good.. I have no complaints with them..
I am just tired.. tired of being alone.. tired of feeling stressed of doing everything on my own.. tired of the military.. But most of All tired of not having my husband..
I wish school got our earlier so I go go take a road trip before Doug got home.. I guess until then, I will forward to the weekends of trying to get away.. because I HATE the weekends with Doug gone.. unless I have visitors...
Dont worry I really am fine.. but I just needed to vent and get some frusterations out of me. I still want to cry though. LOL
I am looking forward to the future of having Doug back home, to going on vacation, being together as a family again.. and to moving on to a warmer climate.. I dont even care how warm it gets.. as long as the sun shines more than 10 days out of the year.. Ok it shines more than that.. but not much more!

The time has finally come.....

2010-05-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

that my kids are saying funny things to write down and share...

Chase: Mom that dog was eating me.
Me: eating you?
Chase: Yah I no food.. I Chase..
LOL!
Chase was reaching over a friend for Chips, and I said Chase, you need to say excuse me.. he said why excuse me? I no burp.

Isaac... i was in my room, and he was going downstairs and said.. Ill catch you later mom.
I said..ummm ok. hahaaa

Add it to the mix of things.....

2010-05-20T18:34:00.000-07:00

This sweet little boy has been having foot problems since he was 2 years old... I have taken him into the doctors and have had Xray after Xray, and also did Blood work, we also got him orthotics for his shoes, nothing has shown up on anything, and the orthotics dont do squat. I have taken Chase to the doctors on and off for 2 years, and I finally had it.. I wanted answers. Chase started limping AGAIN about a week ago, and complaining his foot hurt.. I made an appt with the Orthopedic doctor, AGAIN. luckily he remembered Chase, and made sure that blood work was negative, but after examining his foot again, its a strong foot with his muscles and tendons yada yada... I said ok, so what do we do, because obviously SOMETHING is wrong with his foot.. a 4 year old doesnt complain because NOTHING is wrong... there were 3 doctors in the exam room... Ashlynne was being pre occupied by fishy crackers... and pulling cute faces to the doctors... after talking and asking Chase questions as to where it EXACTLY hurts on his foot, they have come to a conclusion that its JRA, Juvenile Rhumetoid Arthritis.
Today during his exam of course his foot was better, but the doctor gave me his card, and wants me to email him as soon as it flares up again.. so he can exam it better. we will be referred to the specialist at Seattle Childrens hospital... I want to wait until Doug gets home, so he can come with me, he is better with questions than I am. Until then, when it flares up, I have to give him Motrin or Ibuprofen.
All of his little antics are starting to make sense, I mean, wouldnt you want to stop walking if your foot hurt.. and just lay down.. even if its in the middle of the grocery store, mall or even DISNEYLAND???

I will be writing things down here, when I know more

Just thinking....

2010-05-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

Doug with Toby Keith...
Funny thing is... he doesnt even know who he is... well he does now.. but when he texted me saying that he is setting the stage for Toby Keith... I got really excited for him.. he said.. oh... who is he? Doug is not a country music fan. he stayed for about 5 minutes and left for class..
I love my husband... for all his faults. LOL!

I get to see him in about 4-5 weeks.. I am leaning on more the 5 weeks so I dont get dissapointed.. we all know how the military is... well most of us do..
I have been thinking ALOT about how this year went... and have realized that whenever Doug leaves for Deployment.. something BAD.. REALLY BAD has happened, that I have to deal with on my own... for the most part..
Doug was in Iraq in 2004, that year both his Grandparents died.. 6 weeks apart from eachother I believe.. that was very sad for me, but more traumatic for him, he was very close to his grandparents, and was unable to come home, he was supposed to be home from deployment in about a month.. they ended up getting extended... that was pretty devastating.. he came home 3 days before Isaacs due date.. he was 8 days late!
Doug was in Kuwait in 2006, that year my parents divorced.. I was 8 months pregnant with Chase... he also came home 2 weeks before my due date.. and had major back surgery 2 weeks after delivering Chase... I wonder why I have grey hair.
Doug is in Afghanistan 2009, My dad dies of a heart attack/Stroke, I also had surgery and was unable to care for my kids. I was also helping prepare the funeral. Luckily Doug was able to come home for Emergency leave to take care of us and be with me emotionally... I dont know how I would have dealt not having Doug by my side during the funeral.
Those are the three major events that have happened.. there have been a few more things that have happened with this deployment, but they dont need to be mentioned.. because its not that important.
for the positives though.. I am so grateful for my family.. on both sides.
for the little things.. my Aunt Robin and brother Blaine and sister in law Sara taking my kids for a weekend so I could have a girls weekend.
My Brother Rong taking all three of my kids so I could go Black Friday shopping with my sister in law Melissa. He took the kids over night..and most the day. He was sick too.
Dougs brother Patrick and sister in law Paige
For taking the kids when I thought I was going to have a nervous break down, I went and visited my mom for a long weekend.. that probably saved my bacon! they have done way more than that... but I dont have 10 pages to write it all down on!
My sister in law Alicia for coming up and helping me out when I had surgery and my mom had to go from Ft. Lewis down to Portland every few days to be with my brothers while my dad was in the hospital dying..
My sweet cousin Caitlin.. for living with me for so many months.. I know it wasnt easy for her, and sometimes for me, but she really was a huge help and strength on most days.
for the visitors that have come up to hang out on weekends..
Anna coming for a long weekend from New Mexico, even when she was in school and thought she missed a test.. talk about stressful.
My mother in law and Father in law.. they have come up on a drop of a dime when I needed them.. and just come up and be with the kids.
My mom for coming when she can. Its tough for her.. but even being a phone call away helps.

I am going to include my Dad.. although it wasnt easy being around him.. my kids loved him so much and he would have done anything for them. he took my kids to Chuck E Cheese. they knew when they saw Grandpa, they were going to have fun.. and get lots of Candy.. he also came to the Circus with us.. and he spoiled them..
There is so much more to be grateful for, and I cant believe that I dont have much longer, and my life will be "normal" again. but this isnt our last deployment... so beware I might go postal on you! LOL
I love my family more than they know. its been a VERY rough year with lots of emotions that I have never had to deal with before, its a very strange feeling not knowing how to deal with emotions like I have.. but knowing I have amazing family and friends has been powerful.
Thank you again.. I love you so much

Long time coming......

2010-05-10T18:01:00.000-07:00

We inherited this table from Dougs grandparents.. its a fabulous hard wood table... but it was just plain nasty... it needed tons of work.. the chairs were falling apart... we threw those away.. and bought chairs from target at a steal... they were on clearance for 17.00 a piece.. cant beat that... well I have been working on this project on and off for a few months now.. and I wanted to finish it before Doug got home... well here is the BEFORE:.....AFTER.....
I decided to go all black.. I actually have a great red.. and I had it on there, and I didnt like the contrasting black and red combo.. too much for me... so I sanded down the top a bit.. and repainted and repainted and repainted ... I think I am going to sand one more time.. just to get some clumps out and repaint.. then seal.. but its as done as its going to get until I get to Lowes. I am extremely happy with the outcome.. it took forever to sand the legs.. and those were in terrible shape.. it looked like a dog chewed the "X" part of the stablizers.. and then sanding the nooks and crannies.. I am happy that part is done.
I AM HAPPY ITS 99% Done!

Mom

2010-05-09T14:58:00.000-07:00

Mom.. I owe pretty much everything to her... all that I am or hope to become, I owe to my mother! She is my bestfriend.. there isnt a day that goes by we dont talk on the phone or atleast text... She is so strong, knowledgable and spiritual. I am grateful for all that she does for me. I am grateful for her example and the beauty she is inside and out.

I wish we lived closer, to hang out, do girly things with... but with her in California and I...well where ever the military sends us... this cannot happen right now. So until then.. thank goodness for computers and phones.. I love you so much and I couldnt imagine not being able to talk to you the way we do.

PS... we still dont get how people think we look alike! HA!
I LOVE YOU MOM!

CHASE!

2010-04-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

So we went bowling for Chases birthday...ummm didnt get a picture of Chase, but he LOVES bowling and Chuck E Cheese.. so those are the things we did.. oh and he wanted an Optimus Prime birthday cake and a DS.. so he got those too! LOL
Melissa and the kids came for an overnighter so they could ship their Car to Uganda, Africa. My brother is Defense Attache at the embassy over there, and they are moving soon, it makes me want to cry thinking I wont see them for a few years, I love my neices and nephew so much, Melissa might be my brothers wife, but I dont have a memory growing up that she was not in. Her mom and my mom are BestFriends, and I truly feel that she is my sister, I call her even if I dont have much to say, and we can still talk on the phone for an hour and have an amazing conversation. I am really going to miss her! OH! I miss my brother too. LOL.. but really Ron is my oldest brother, he has always been the type to give you unwanted advice, most of it is useful, but pretty annoying. but over the last 6 months, Ron and I have formed a great relationship, he finally is seeing me as a "woman" not his little sister, he sees me as a wife and most of all a mother. I am grateful for the relationship we have.
Isaac and Melissa

Me and Melissa

Ashlynne and Carly... Ashlynne loves her girl cousins.. they spoil her rotten, they dress her up and play with her, and she thinks that is the best. lots of loves and hugs went around that day!

Me bowling.

And my loveable Oldest Nephew Logan.. Such a sweet Adolescent boy, oh the age of 13, I am not looking forward to that! Love you skater boy!

Chase openning up his DS!

His Transformer Cake

I forgot the candles, matches work just as well and no wax. LOL

and a lame pic of Chuck E Cheese the only picture I took!
I cant believe Chase is 4 years old..seriously where has the time gone, I know I say that every birthday with every baby.. but its amazing that he is 4. He is such a sensitive little guy.. he has a tender heart. He loves school, riding the bus, he LOVES his DS and transformers.. He loves to play outside, He loves to cuddle with his kitty kitty.. they will sit and cuddle on the couch for a full movie.. its the sweetest thing, I will have to post that picture. He misses his daddy and shows the most out of all the kids.. the day Doug left to go back to Afghanistan I put us all back to bed, and Chase came into my room his his big pouty lips almost in complete tears. I asked him what was wrong, and he just shook his head.. like he couldnt get the words out. I said loves what is wrong.. he looked at me and said. Daddys gone.....

We cuddled in bed until we boy fell asleep..

I love you to pieces my Chase man, I couldnt imagine life without you!

Happy 4th Birthday!

Next Stop....

2010-04-11T19:33:00.000-07:00

SALISH LODGE AND RESORT.. Over looking Snoqualmie FallsDoug and I took one night to ourselves, I bought a package at Costco that a friend told me about, and we enjoyed massages a therapy room with cool waterfall hot tubs and sauna and steam rooms, along with this fabulous breakfast below!

we had bacon and waffles with blueberries, syrup and cinnamon whip cream.. the whip cream made the flavor, it was to die for.. I would go back just for the waffles and whip cream..

then we got the smoked salmon and hash, that had to eggs and biscuits..
and an omelet. we had a certain amount of money to spend with this package deal.. we spent it all and it was pretty dang spendy, but the food was FANTASTIC!

we took the hike to the closest we could get to the falls, which wasnt very close, but it was fun. I love to hike, but I needed better shoes than my dang dr. martens, those are now officially out of my closet!

made it to the falls.. it was so pretty..

me in our room, it was small but perfect.

our room.. doors openned to the two person jacuzzi tub..

us on our balcony

Doug.

a view point outside the hotel, looking at the falls

we like kissy photos!

and funny photos

and good ones!

me and Doug, we only have self portraits, because we didnt have very many people to take pics. LOL

Ok we got a couple to take a picture of us!

This was such a wonderful relaxing time with Doug, we enjoyed our breakfast, massages, the food, and just being together!

We will definitely go back to that area, not the resort. There is a really cool Train Museum that is up there, that we want to take the boys to, and then you can take an hour train ride really close to the falls.. I know the kids will love it, that is on our plans for this summer.

FIRST ADVENTURE......

2010-04-09T18:56:00.000-07:00

THE GREAT WOLF LODGE!!!!!!! Doug and the kids walking into the hotel.

Chase going down the slide

I love this picture of Ashlynne, because last year when we went, she wouldnt let us put her down, When we did, she would cry her head off.. she was a crazy girl.. she would jump and splash and go under the water.. and she doesnt know how to swim, she went downt his slide so much.. and she went down the bigger slide to, but it was a bit too fast and would spin her around, but she still liked it!

Chase and the wave runner squirter!

Isaac, he didnt have to wear the life jacket, he just wanted to, silly kid.

Here are the boys in the bunkbed, watching tv, they loved it!

Ash wanted up.. she got up there once, but it scared me, she wasnt happy!

doug looks drunk! hahaa, but typical picture of us

Me and chase, he was done swimming.

So was she, so we thought, after I took this picture, she B lined it to the water. so she wasnt done after all

Me and Doug.. I think he will hate me for posting this picture.. but I liked it and I think he looks handsome!

Leaving the Great Wolf Lodge.. we had so much fun, and wont be going back anytime soon, you sucked the money right out of us, but it was worth almost all the money we spent there!

R AND R!

2010-04-08T19:26:00.000-07:00

Well He made it home, Doug was here from March 16th to April 1st. This first picture is just funny. Ashlynne dumped the bottle of water and proceeded to lap it up.. oh this girl!

Doug with the boys!

the boys couldnt get enough of him, they followed him around, it didnt matter where, and I am serious, bathroom, showers, taking the garbage out.. it didnt matter they were hot on his heels!

That was the same with Ashlynne, She is a daddys girl, and boy she was not a happy camper if he went out the door, she would start bawling.. it was crazy.. pretty much they didnt know or care who I was for 2 weeks. LOL ok they did.. but they wanted him more!

SHAMROCK RUN 2010!!!

2010-04-05T19:55:00.000-07:00

So my goal this year was to run races, it didnt matter where I placed, it didnt matter where.. I just wanted to run.. I have found a love of running, I love to plug myself in to my music and just run! So I was talking to my sister in law Alicia and we were talking about the shamrock run, there was one in Ft. Lewis and one in Portland, the one in Portland was much spendier.. but much more fun, and a way better scenic view.. I LOVE downtown Portland. But then I got sick.. really sick, I lost my voice, my tonsils were swollen and killing me, so I got some advice and I wasnt going to do the run, I wasnt even going to go to Portland for the weekend. but my stubbornness of paying for it already go the best of me, and I did it. Doug wasnt too pleased since he was coming home a few days later.. but I have to tell you.. I kicked but for being so darn sick, and it was like 32 degrees outside... BRRRR! Here we are before the race started... ummn we didnt get an aftershot.. whooops!

Thanks Alicia, it was a ton of fun... til the next one!
My time running the 5K was 30:39
not too shabby if I do say so myself.. next run... May 15th 5K Mudrun obstacle course with Alicia and Patrick
I am not running the race on the 24th of April due to the fact my friend from Alaska is in town in Portland.. and I want to spend the time with her! oh well.. there is always more races to be ran!

Showering with Affection

2010-04-04T14:27:00.000-07:00

Doug gave me this post card that I scanned, every military plane that comes in for R and R that goes into Dallas Fort worth international airport get this special "shower of Affection" from the DFW fire and rescue officers. Here is what the postcard actually says:

Each day, the DFW Airport community welcomes home U.S. Troops returning from the Middle East for Rest and Recuperation. Upon approach, DFW Fire and Rescue officers salute the arriving flight with its traditional "Shower of Affection". The water salute consists of two water turrets with nozzels that discharge 1,500 gallons of water per minute over the plane.

When I was picking Doug up from the Terminal.. as a military spouse I have the priviledge to pick Doug up right at the gate. 2 men stopped and saluted Doug and thanked him for his service. Sometimes I forget in all my pity what Doug is doing over there, he is serving our country to protect our families so we can live in this free country. These are just small efforts on peoples parts that make me proud to be a Military Wife. I am so proud of Doug and what he is doing over in Afghanistan.. but BOY I can tell you I cant wait to ge him back! Pictures will be up soon of our wonderful 16 days together, as long as I can find my camera cord.