I've Been Tagged!

A--Attached or Single: Attached, for almost 5 years!! I love you Dan!!!
B--Best Friend: I am so blessed to fave a few, Jackie, Lindsey, and of course Dan is my very very best friend
C--Cake or Pie: Confetti Cake with Rainbow Dot icing!!!
D--Day of Choice: Either Tues. or Thurs. (my days off during the week)...I get so much more done during the week!
E--Essential Item: my cell phone...it is the lifeline between Dan and I!
F--Favorite Color: I love purple and blue...bright and happy
G--Greatest Accomplishment: being pregnant twice and was STILL able to graduate from college with good (Jackie says GRREAT) grades!
H--Hometown: Champaign, Illinois
I--Indulgences: Chocolate, Swimming, Tanning (I haven't been in a few weeks...I need to GO!)
J--January or July: I love July, cook outs, fire works, pools and sun!!
K--Kids: Yep...Brooklynn - 2 years and Kaylee - 17 months
L--Life is incomplete without: my family, honestly I would be nothing without them.
M--Marriage Date: February 28, 2004
N--Number of Siblings: 2 Sisters!! I'm the middle (yes I had the syndrome and now I am so glad...it made me a pretty strong person I think)
O--Oranges or Apples: Oranges - if the are ripe
P--Phobias or fears: losing a child or my husband overseas
Q--Quotes: "Families Plan and the Army Laughs" and "It Is What It Is"
R--Reason to Smile: The sound of my kids laughing, getting a SUPER SWEET e-mail from Dan
S--Season: Summer...I love the sun...did I mention that already?!
T--Tag 5 Friends: umm whoever thinks this is cute just go for it!
U--Unknown facts about me: I cannot burp...the air comes up and then sits in my throat and makes a REALLY weird noise...we call them alien burps..yummy thought I know
V--Very favorite store: Sams...enough toilet paper to last a year is GRRREAT
W--Worst habit: I have a LEAD foot...atleast 10mph over the speed limit...awful I know!!
X--X-ray or Ultra Sound: ultrasound, they are way more fun and exciting!
Y--Your favorite food: Steak...PRIME RIB!!!
Z--Zodiac: Taurus

Bravo Co 634th BSB Christmas Potluck

So we had our military Christmas party on Sunday, Dec. 7th. We got together first to make and send cookies to all of our soldiers. Our company has been divided between 8 different FOB's (not exactly sure what that stands for but it means they are all mixed between both remote and long-time standing bases). Anyway, we were hoping to send 100 cookies per FOB, but looking at the cookies we were not sure that was going to happen. So we counted and found that 1200 cookies later we could send more than expected! We just know the guys are going to love them.

After we were done with the cookies we had a potluck. It was so nice to be around others who are facing the same situation! Anyway, the kids played and I got some cute pictures so I thought I would post it :)

Update...Dan is now on his way to Afghanistan. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you all for your support. We REALLY appreciate it!

Painting!

Well, I just wanted to share that we have finally given our house a little bit of character! We have (well I should say Mike has...he owns his own painting business) painted our living room and kitchen and they look amazing! We are waiting until Mike slows down again and then we are going to have him paint the upstairs bathrooms and bedrooms. Needless to say, we are keeping him pretty busy, but it is so nice to have family (this is Dan's cousins husband) doing the work. And he is AMAZING! He makes it look so easy...I love paint but hate the work so I am VERY grateful he will do it.

So just to let you all know, Dan is the one who picked out the colors. He is so good at this kind of stuff. I told him that instead of Industrial Technology he should go into Interior Design (and for anyone who knows my husband) his response was GAY!!! (no offense to those men who do it...be proud you have style. I sure don't!! :)).

Brooklynn's 1st Haircut!!

So Brooklynn will be 3 in February and she FINALLY had enough hair for Aunt Jackie to trim it. She was so good for Jackie. She was just sitting still watching Polar Express...wish she would sit that well for me...HAHAHAHA.

Our Trip To North Carolina

So we spent Thanksgiving week in North Carolina. Not only did we get to visit with Jackie and her family (I FINALLY met baby Sommer...3months later!), but Dan's leave from training at Ft. Bragg was that same week! I love when things work out perfectly!!! :) The traveling went as smooth as it can with 2 small children. This was their first time on a plane...and though I think they did pretty good considering their ages, I am in NO hurry to travel again :) I know a lot of you can sympathize!

Anyway, as soon as we landed in Fayetteville we headed to Jackie's house to drop off the grandparents and then Jackie, the girls and I went to pick up Dan. He is looking great! It was just so nice to see his sweet smile. We picked him up in a parking lot and Brooklynn wanted to run into his arms, but due to the dangers around we couldn't allow it...so precious! So for the next 4 days we ate everything Dan wanted (he had lost some weight due to not eating...army food is not good...I have tried it, I know!!!). Red Lobster, Miyabi's (Japanese restaurant), Arby's, Tony Romos...just to name a few.

We hung out with our children We went to an arcade...Dan and I felt like kids again playing SkiBall and having waterspray races...yes I cheated by tickling him...I don't like to lose :). We even got time without our children (Jackie twisted my arm :)). We had a great Thanksgiving with friends and family (one of Dan's army buddies and his wife joined us as well).

The day after Thanksgiving we took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese and were there literally 4 hours!! CRAZINESS!!! Everyone had a good time though. Later that day we had to take Dan back to the base. We have gotten really good at quick goodbyes. We gave hugs, kisses, said I love you and then parted ways. We are so proud of Dan and what he is willing to do for not only us but the rest of the country.

Now we are home not only missing Dan but we are missing Jackie and her beautiful family as well...didn't plan the whole saying goodbye to 2 people...it was rough. But we feel very loved and privileged to have had the time we did.

I know you are not going to believe this, BUT I have more blogs to follow!!! I am trying so hard! Love to all!

Halloween :)

I hope that everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. My girls had a blast and the weather was great! I wish Dan was home to see them, but we are understanding more and more how much he is needed elsewhere. Enjoy the pics of the pretty pirate and the cuddly little lion :)

Painting Pumpkins...and paper

So I thought I would try to do something fun today with my crazy children. Since Halloween is vastly approaching I thought "grrrreat we will paint pumpkins!" So I had the day planned, I was going to get some work done first thing this morning and then reward the girls with painting (something we RARELY do...sad I know). So after I got my work done we headed home. In the back of the car was Kaylee screaming (which for some reason she had decided to do ALL morning!)and Brooklynn actually being quiet. Needless to say (evidence is in the pictures), Kaylee went to bed as soon as we walked in the door. Brooklynn and I did all the painting. She had a great time and looked so cute. Now she is sleeping peacefully and I am enjoying QUIET!!!! :) Have a great day and GO ILLINI!!!!!!!!!!!

The new Memorial Stadium...just for Jackie!

So my intentions are mixed here...I am hoping that when you see how awesome the stadium is you will want to move home...I know wishful thinking! Dad's seats are right behind the brick wall (the blus seats)...they are actually chairs too!!!! Anyway, it is super nice and I wanted you to see it! Hope you enjoy all the pics! Love you!!!!!!!

We are so proud of you daddy!!!

First I must say sorry for the random order of the pictures...should have planned it out a little better, but hey I am posting FINALLY right?!?!

Well, as most of you know Dan has now left for his 12 - 15 month deployment. We are all doing good, but of course it is quite an adjustment! All your thoughts and prayers have been a tremendous help and comfort this far...keep them coming!!!!!!!!!!!! Anyway, the pictures are from events before Dan left and also of the people who lined the streets to say goodbye! The girls playing in the park was taken the day before Dan left. The pictures of the girls looking into the sky were taken the night of Dan's deployment ceremony. They had a fireworks display and the girls loved them!!!!!!

Obviously this was a very emotional and touching week. We are so proud of Dan though and grateful for all he is doing for us and this country! Please keep him in your prayers as he needs as much strength as possible! Dan, we love you...thank you for being the best husband, father, friend, uncle, son, brother EVER!!!!!!!!!!! Miss you baby!