Summer Update

Nolan and his Great Grandpa Carl in KY

Lauren at the lake in Kentucky

This is Lauren and Zach. Zach is Lauren's cousin.

They came in and were so proud they had switched suits!

They both said, "Tada!" It was so funny!

A new updated picture of our dog cousins!

This is so funny...Eric and Michelle's bridal shower!

It has been quite some time since I have posted anything on here. Since I last posted we have been to Indiana and Kentucky. We just got home earlier this week and I must say it is great to be home! Nothing is quite like home as Im sure all of you will agree. While I was in IN we caught news that Joe made SSgt. It was such a relief to know that he has done it. His goal was to make Staff before we left Whiteman. We aren't sure yet, but in about 15 days we will know whether or not we are getting overseas orders out of here! We put various places such as Japan, Alaska, Hawaii, and Germany on our dreamsheet...or should I say Joe put it on "his" dreamsheet. We are anxious to see where we are going . We have been here over 3 years and feel like its our time. Joe is still in Qatar and is due home early December now. We are just about to our 1/2 way point. Once we are through the month of Sept. things will go fast for us. I can't wait to be together as a family again. Lauren tells me everyday, "Mommy, I miss Daddy." Im so glad that she is still talking about him. I think Joe was afraid the kids would forget about him in the 6 months he was gone. Nolan I think will go to him right away...he takes well to men anyways! We are staying extra busy here. Lauren is getting ready to start her first dance class. There will be more on that later Im sure. I hope she likes it. I am out of school for this 8 weeks. I guess I needed a break because nothing seemed to be going through like it has always in the past. I am hoping to get back in the next weeks. If that doesnt happen I will for sure in the spring when Joe is home. Right now I need to make lunch for some hungry bellies so I gotta run!

Tagged

How To Play This Game of Tag: Post these rules on your blog. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts about yourself. Tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog!

3 Joys

1) My Family

2) Over 1/5th done with this deployment

3) Being outside in 72 degree weather!

3 Fears

1) Losing someone I love

2) The dark

3) Having a party and nobody showing up!

3 Goals

1) Be the best mother and wife for my family

2) Get my Bachelors degree

3) Learn a foreign language and the piano

3 Obsessions/ Collections

1) The Twilight Series

2) Staying busy to pass the time

3) Clothes for my kids...I love to buy them!

3 Random Surprises

1) I can shave with my left hand and am right handed

2) I always put salt on before pepper...always!

3) I like ths smell of puppy breath!

I tag Valerie, Victoria, and Brandi

All this week!

This week has been a very fun and eventful week. I took pics of everything we did. Starting from today and going all the way back to last Saturday. The captions tell the stories so enjoy!

This is our new family collage! It took me forever to put them up,
but here they are thanks to Misti!

And another huge thanks to Misti! With her help, we organized and rearranged Lauren's room!

This is our nieghbors Christmas weed. I swear if its still around by Christmas I am going to decorate it! Oh and they never mow their lawn...look at ours compared to theirs and I havent even mowed this week...can we say lazy!

Oh poor little Nolie took a face plant into the concrete yesterday from the steps outside. He is forever getting hurt...today he fell out of the bathtub...how he managed to do that, I dont know!

I got Ashlynn to smile...that NEVER happens!...she hates pictures!


We went swimming...

Lauren rode her first horse!




And I rode my first horse as well!...pretty fun actually!

Rachel watched Nolan while me and Lauren went horseback riding






Lauren showing off her new dress from Children's Orchard

I burnt my arm on the lawn mower trying to adjust the wheels...its looking much better now!

Rachel and Ashlynn while we enjoyed ourselves some Panda Express!...yummy!

Altogether this week was really fun. Next week seems to be filling up quickly so stay tuned for more updates then! I know this is random but, I love my husband!...he is so wonderful!

Joe's work

So I finally said it! "Stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about!" I never wanted to say that b/c I hated it when my parents would tell me that...it just made me cry more! And that is exactly what it did when I said it to Lauren. She is still crying in her room resisting naptime! She normally does good for naps, but today is different I guess. I am doing fine other than the occational annoyances! Today Lauren decided she was going to help me clean and sprayed lysol kitchen cleaner on the tv screen...now the tv no longer works. "Good one Lauren!" I never watch the dumb thing anyways so she is at a loss there. No more movies for her! We have a tv in our room, but the dvd player isnt hooked up to it and I an not techie! Im hoping the buttons will dry and it will eventually work again...we'll see!

Yesterday we got some videos and pictures from Joe. The pics are of his work and what he does. Also on his way there, he stayed in England for 2 days so he send some of his time there as well. He is staying really busy out there. He says the weather has to be 140 degrees during the day. He says it gets chilly at night though and that is when he works. Im sure he would take the cold over hot anyday though! He calls everyday even if its to say goodnight. He is the best husband. He loves to be with us and I love that. I dont know how he leaves us all the time. We are so great! Im just kidding....I still dont know how he leaves the kids....it would be so hard for me if I had to leave them. I love doing what I do and am so fortunate to be able to stay home with them. Tonight is the 4th of July and we are sticking around base for some fireworks with some friends. I will post some pics once the night is over. I wish Joe could spend it with us b/c this our first 4th apart since we've been together. We love to celebrate the 4th! Its fun!

Joe sportin the PT gear on his day off!

Some palets I guess!

England...driving on the left...Joe said it was really weird to see that!

Oh kids say/do the darndest things!

So today began as a pretty crappy day as far as weather went. It was actually a great morning for me because since it was so dark and rainy, we were all fooled into thinking it was earlier than what it was. We slept in till 9. That is late for us folks! We are usually up pretty early in this house! After the rain quit, we went to the pool with some friends and I have to share this one thing that Lauren said. Im sure other kids have said this at one point in their life, but this cracked me and my friend up when we heard it. So Lauren kept grabbing herself so I asked her if she needed to go potty...she told me over and over that she didnt have to go. I didnt push the issue because in all honesty, I didnt feel like walking her to a discusting swimming pool locker room so she could go. Well, I asked her again when she walked up to me in the pool if she had to go pee. She said, "No, I did!" I busted out laughing when she said that. I hope she doesnt think it was cute and continues to do it because thats pretty sick! Kids will always pee in pools...what can I say...I used to! You know you did too so dont even act like you're grossed out! If you didnt...good for you, but most have sometime in their life!

We are oh so cool!

A couple weeks ago we went to a KMOS (PBS) sponsored event with some friends from church and it was so fun. Misti and I thought we should take a second to meet our heros while we had the chance! We weren't afraid to make all the parents in line mad just so we could get our picture with Super Why! Parents just barge in and they dont care if you're taking pictures. They let their kids walk in your picture as if we wanted their child in our picture! Its okay...we had our 25 seconds of fame with Princess Pesto! Lauren was excited to meet all the characters, but still very surprised to see them IN PERSON! I loved when she would walk up to them with her neck 90 degrees (b/c they were so tall)! She would just stare trying to figure them out! Im sure they look so huge to her in person since they are all midgets on the show...Im talking about the Super Why crew...Clifford was actually disappointingly small I thought! They were giving all kinds of free health information out as well as free books for the children. Lauren got her face painted too. I should have gotten Nolans done....no wait...bad idea...he cant stay still for a second! He would have tried to eat either the hand of the person painting his face or the brush with the paint on it! Everything goes in the mouth right now! Well, we had lots of fun and were glad we went.

Five Years!

Next Tuesday will be me and Joe's 5th wedding anniversary. Five years flew by so quickly. I never dreamed we would be in the situation we are right now. I dont think I would have ever thought I would have already had two kids by now 5 years ago. In the last five years I believe Joe and I both have grown up so much. We never have argued much, but we really have learned to respect each other and each others opinions. I am so happy with who I chose to spend eternity with. I know he feels the same way. I have never been with someone that wants to be with me all the time just like I want to be with them. Most men like lots of time alone with the "guys" or a lot of alone time, but Joe isnt really like that. He does enjoy his X Box, but he doesnt care if Im down there with him...in fact he prefers I be. I cant believe how well we get along. Of course there are times when stress gets to be a factor and we all know what comes out of that.

Right now Joe is in Qatar on a 6 month deployment and he has been there for only 1 week and 2 days. It seems like he has been gone longer though. We are carrying on as if he were here. I of course am playing both mommy and daddy which can be tricky, but women do it all the time and they survive! I really dont feel too stressed yet though. Lauren has been such a sweetheart asking where her daddy is all the time, and Nolan doesnt care about anything as long as he gets fed! I hate deployments, but they strengthen all of us. Joe and my marriage is stronger b/c of them. I am more independent and have more confidence b/c of them too. The kids learn to adjust to change well. I think adjusting is a good quality to gain b/c life isnt always a bowl of cherries and things can change on a dime. Joe I believe has it the hardest b/c he has to leave his family and home and everything he knows for 1/2 the year. I at least get to sleep in my own bed...which is soooooo comfortable...we love it!

In the last 5 years we have lived with my parents, moved out into our own apartment, gone to college....still working on it!...,moved to Utah, joined the USAF, had 2 beautiful children, gone on many vacations, bought 2 cars, sold 2 cars!....We still have the two we bought and they're still kickin!, gone through 2 deployments and many TDYs, paid off our debt, re charged debt!, paid it off again! We have been through some tough times, but more good than bad. We are very blessed and I know that. I love where we are today and look forward to a lifetime full of more anniversaries! Joe you are so wonderful! Thanks for what you do!

Knob Noster Fair!

A couple weeks ago Lauren was having a hard time taking her naps so it resulted in bribing! Joe was at work finishing some things up for his deployment. I told Lauren that if she would go to sleep that when she woke up Daddy would take her to the fair. Shortly after I told her that she was asleep. About 2 hours later Joe came home and then not too long after, Lauren woke up. I came in to greet her and the first thing she said was, "Daddy take me to the fairy?" It was so cute how she called it the fairy! I then bit my tongue because I didnt think she would remember! Joe hates rides and so do I. I went outside where Joe was and explained to him that I volunteered him to take Lauren to the fair earlier when I wanted her to go to sleep and now she is up and ready to go! He laughed and was okay with taking her. We ended up going together the next night (Joe's last evening with us before he left). It was pretty pricy so we only bought enough tickets for a couple rides. Joe took Lauren on the slide and I took her on the Ferris Wheel. Niether one of us handle circle rides very well and since Joe had to be on a plane the whole next day, I got to go on the ferris wheel! It wasn't too bad though. Lauren and I paid our 4 tickets each, which ended up being $4 a piece to ride....rip off I know! Anyhow, we got on and everytime the ferris wheel reached the top and we could see everything below (all the bright lights from the fair) Lauren would say, "Wow Mommy this is awesome!" It was so funny to me for her to say that because she has never used that word before, and I didnt even know she knew that word! I love kids and how they learn so quickly! We had a great time and walked over to Sonic for slushes afterwards. Their prices were much more affordable than "carny" prices! We had a great time and the kids went home and slept really well that night!

About 8 hours after we got home and to bed, Joe was up and ready to leave. He had to leave at 6am. I woke Lauren up because I wanted her to be able to see him leave. I ended up waking Nolan up so Joe could see him interact one last time at this age. Nolan was just as sweet as can be too. Lauren was tired and kept slipping back into her room. I knew she didnt realize that her Daddy was leaving right then so I kept waking her back up. I would tell her that he was leaving, but she was so exhausted she didnt care! She ended up waking up long enough to wave and blow kiss him off! Shortly after me and the kids went back to bed and finished our night of sleep! Things have been just fine for us since he's been gone. I thought I would be more upset, but we were really prepared for him to go. The first time he deployed I seriously felt like he had died. It was pretty tough. I of course miss him, but I have so much to keep me busy that I have very little time to be upset. Lauren asks where he is all the time and I explain that he is a long way away working and helping people. She always replies, "what his friends names?" She's so sweet! I love the things 2/3 year olds say. They are so smart. A couple days before Joe left Nolan said "ah Da"...we took that as a "dada!" The day Joe left I was taking Nolan out of his bed and said to him "Dada" and he replied, "Dada!" I was so glad he finally said it! And it was the weekend of Father's Day too! We celebrated Father's Day the week prior so Joe could be honored even though he was going to be gone. It was nice. I fixed Chinese and we went on a family walk. We only went to sacrament that day b/c Lauren wouldnt stay in nursery and Joe was so overwhelmed with everything he needed to be getting done. We enjoyed the day together as a family. We are together all the time as a family and love it. Thats why I thought it would be harder when he left. I guess all the TDY's this past year have really prepared us for this. I am grateful. We are such a blessed family.

Traveling Family!

Joe and I just got home a couple weeks ago from a much needed vacation. We (without the kids) went to Florida for a week. We had so much fun...I forgot what it was like to have no kids. I missed them like crazy, but loved spending time alone with Joe again. My Mom and Dad took care of the kids and they loved it too. Next year we are planning a cruise with my sister and her husband...once again NO KIDS! So excited! I am currently arguing with Joe on how long we should cruise though...he wants to go on a 9 night cruise and I am okay with just a 5 night. If we were to go for 9 nights that would mean we would need more money and would have to be without the kids for at least 11 days. If we were to go on a 5 or 6 night cruise it will still be a 8 or 9 day vacation...which I think is still really long! I have realized lately that I am a big homebody. I am perfectly content staying in my house. If I do leave my house I hardly leave base. If I ever get to a base that is actually nice and has stuff to do on it, I'll never leave!



This weekend we are planning on going down to Texas once again for a training for Joe. He is deploying in about 3 weeks. We decided to drive so we could spend the driving time together and so that we could see Angie ( Joe's sister) again. We wish we lived closer to them. She is trying to talk us into moving near her...not like we could if we wanted to anyways! The military sort of owns us right now!.... Which is fine with me for now...without the military we would be paying for so much more. Yeah our actual paychecks arent great, but we have housing, cheap food, life/health insurance, and so many more benefits that we wouldnt have otherwise. Lately Joe has been talking about possibly separating from the military once his schooling is finished, but the more we think about it the more scary is seems to be out. We both hate deployments just b/c we miss out on family time. Joe misses out so much more though. This time Lauren is going to understand more that here daddy is gone and it is going to be more tough. Nolan is still carefree and could really care less as long has his needs are taken care of. I am so blessed to have a husband that is willing to support his family no matter what it takes. I am happy that he doesnt keep skipping around from job to job. He did some when we first got married, but that is normal when you have no education. I think it is so hard on families when their parents continue to change jobs and seem to have no stability. I know if Joe were to do that then I would feel so unstable. He does a good job though!






The kids are doing lots of fun things. Lauren is mimmicking everything we (Joe and I) do. She just tried to hit me (I think she was playing...she didnt like somthing that I told her) but she was trying to hit me and hit her arm on the desk...of course she cried and did I show her any remorse...None whatsoever! Call me mean, but she was trying to hit me! Some consequences follow immediately after an act its great! Nolan is a full time crawler now. He likes my plants which sucks! Lauren showed very little if any interest in my plants...I'll post the pic of little Noli yesterday when he dumped my plan. He's such a doll though....I love my little man! Lauren has been dressing herself for the last couple weeks. She is pretty funny...I will give her something and she will say " No, it doesnt match!" She is pretty good at matching things too! She hates me to do her hair, but if I dont, she looks horrid! It's summer again so she has been able to play with her next door buddy more. She and Jordyn are best buddies....they get along most of the time too...of course the occasional fight over dress up shoes and purses does happen, but they're pretty good! Nolan has been working on saying "Dada" He smiles everytime I try to teach him, and I can see his little lips attempt it, but nothing near it comes out! The other night I was holding him trying to put him to sleep and he would make a humming noise, and then I would make it back and then he would make it back....then I doubled it up and so did he...it was so stinkin cute! I enjoyed Lauren when she was a baby, but having him reminds me of why I want more kids. Joe says only one more, but God will be the judge of that! If it were up to me I wouldnt want to be pregnant again, but the babies are so much fun, which makes it all well worth the 9 months of hell! Okay the entire 9 months really isnt hell either...just the last 8-10 weeks!


It took Joe a long time to get used to having a boy, but I know he loves Nolan just as much as Lauren now....I think he always loved him, but he had a hard time excepting that he wasn't a girl. Joe wanted all girls...and I was okay with that, but now I dont care if we have another boy....Nolan is so special! I would love another little girl too though....so we'll have to see!


Well today is Joe's 27th birthday (he's an old fart!) Not quite actually! He is at work all day today, but has tomorrow off so we will probably celebrate as a family tonight and spend the day together tomorrow. I love spending time with the family...it is probably my most favorite thing to do. Lauren has been begging me to make Daddy's birthday cake so I better get so I can help her with that.

Leaving : (

The weather is finally starting to warm up here....finally! It has been really chilly here for this time of the year. At least we arent getting snow like some other places are though! Needless to say, Im ready for some warmer weather! I love to go outdoors and walk and play with the kids and work in the yard. I'm sure once it gets really hot this summer I'll be wishin for some cooler weather!...it happens every year!

The kids are doing great...Lauren is talking my ear off and is putting new sentences together really well...She might even be doing better if she would get rid of the dumb binky! I try to take it from her, but she always finds it! She has been doing better. I have been telling her that on her 3rd birthday, Cinderella's mice are going to take it away b/c she will be a big girl and wont need it anymore! She seems okay with the idea so we'll see! Nolan is trying ever so hard to get on all fours to crawl. He gets very frustrated, as do all kids, when he can't do it! Poor guy, he'll get it soon enough though. He is a huge little man. He is not quite 6 months old and is ready to get into 12 month clothes. This is another reason why summer needs to get here b/c I dont have any more warm clothes for him...so sleepers it is until it gets warm! I do have a couple pair of pants, but they are getting short on him! I have been trying to get him to say, "Dada" for awhile now...he isnt saying anything yet, but I have 8 more weeks to get him to say it before his daddy leaves for 6 months.

So yes, I did say 8 weeks! : ( I hate the thought of it, but we have to do it. I hate it that Joe has to miss out on the kids for 1/2 a year. They change so much when they are this young. It is hard for me when he's gone, but harder for him I think. We can do it though. It does make us stronger. The place he is going is in Quatar and isnt a dangerous place. Im sure it could be since it is out in the middle east, but that is not where all the roadside bombs and shootings are happening. Im glad for that. I wish there was an easier way to earn a living, but unfortunately, for us, this is the best way. We will be together all the time someday when he retires. All this sacrifice will be rewarding I know it! We have been super busy getting things done before he goes. Here in a few weeks we will be going to Florida for out 5 year anniversary. Our anniversary is July 1st, but he will be gone then. Family and couple vacations are really important to both of us. We really enjoy the memories we have when we take them. Next year we are going on a cruise and last year we went to Alaska. Im excited to get some alone time with him before he goes. Mom and Dad are watching Nolan and Lauren for 5 days while we go. It will be so nice for us! It will feel like we're dating all over again! Fun fun...well we're still here hangin in there. Hopefully this year can go by quickly so we can get out Joe back!

What a month!

This month as been such a challenging month.  As I explained in the last post, the dreaded flu hit our house about 3 weeks ago. We are feeling so much better now though.  The kids have been doing great.  Nolan is babbling so much and is growing too quick.  Lauren is so smart.  I know she's my kid, but she really is learning things a lot quicker than all her little 2 year old friends! Well...not all of them, but a lot of them.  Joe is finally coming home in 2 days.  This last month has been even crazier since he has been missing.  He lucked out I guess!...Im sure he would have much rather been  here helping than away from us.  He is really homesick now.  He called me this morning and woke me up excited that he is finally coming home.  They are a day ahead of us so he said he only has one more day! We really learn to appreciate one another when we are apart.  It isnt fun at the time, but it does strenthen our marriage.  We have really been blessed to be in the miliary even though it is hard at times.  

Fun Times...Not really!

Well,
Joe left for Guam just over a week ago. He seems to be enjoying the warm 80 degree weather, snorkling, shopping, and 5 star hotel he is staying in.  It sure beats what we are going through out here in old Missouri!  
Over a week ago I had pink eye and went to the doctor.  Days later my pink eye was not gone and I found myself making a trip to the ER with eyes swollen shut.  The doctor in the ER 
explained that the drops I was given are very harmful for my eyes and that nobody should have
ever prescribed them to me... or anyone at that. I was extremely overwhelmed with Lauren and 
asked my mom to come out and help. Ever since my mom has shown up, Lauren is the perfect
child.  She is able to spend lots of time with me...which is what she wanted to whole time we
figured out.  She has not acted up one time since my mom got here 6 days ago.  I was basically just
neglecting her and didnt realize it with my sickness and school work.  The time she normally has
with Joe was gone and I was the only thing she had.  I feel like crap thinking about how she must have felt. :( She is the sweetest child and I hurt her.  I know I shouldn't beat myself up too bad
about it, but it hurts to know that I was hurting my own child.  

So my eyes are almost 100% again...I still have some burns on the outside, but for the most part am better...and looking much better than before.  But of course now we have the flu.  My mom came perfectly healthy and I had no sypmtoms, but somehow we both got the bug.  So far the kids are not sick...but only time will tell if they will get it.  I hope not b/c that would just be
absolutley horrifying.  We are doing our best to take our vitamins, drink our fluid and get our rest.  We probably arent getting as much rest as we need with kids around though.  I just want
my husband back.  How did  he luck out on missing the flu and being on a tropical island at the same time...luck I guess.  These times make us stronger and help us to appreciate the good health we enjoy everyday.  So ....its my birthday today and Im afraid it will not be as enjoyable 
as I would have hoped for.  Birthdays really arent that interesting anymore anyways though!  I
never understood why my parents didn't get excited for their birthdays...now I do!  Its really
just another day ...especially without my hubby here!  Im sure by this time next week I will be feeling great! I think I am going to start working on my homework since Im up with a stuffy nose.  I really should go back to bed...but I am having a hard time breathing with my stuffy nose.
Fun times!  Betcha wish it was you huh!  Okay...Im done complaining for now!  Now it's out of my system!

Just a few thoughts on my mind

Lauren has found a new love!.... Her first actually!  She met a little boy named Shelby Ross at church last week and has been talking about him ever since!  I love it because I can get her to do anything because all I have to do is briber her with Shelby playtime and whatever I want gets done!  Im up for anything that works even if Iam a bad parent for bribing! Lauren is finally potty trained for sure.  She has done some teasing in the past, but Im pretty sure this time it's for real.  She's even doing number 2 in the potty!  Yeah for us...less spending on diapers!  Next month it's Nolan's turn! ...haha..j/k...Im not one of those moms that says "Oh I had so and so potty trained when he was 6 months old..."  Bull crap...when they say that they really mean that they trained themselves to know when it was time to go put their child on the toilet!...SOME MOMS I TELL YA!....over achievers! Nolan is such a sweet little boy.  He really is my angel.  I tell him that all the time.  I used to tell Lauren that too...then she turned in to a monkey!  But Nolan is so happy all the time and he never cries unless he is hungry or poopy.  I really needed a child like him so I didnt go psycho!  At times even with a good baby I dont see how I could handle anymore!  Joe says he's good with two, but I would like to have at least one more and maybe two.  I will have to have the 4th by "surprise" b/c Joe forbids it!  I just really enjoy having lots of siblings.  It is so fun to get together for the holidays.  I could live with 3, but am not going to decide officially until it's time.  

Getting back to school

January always goes by so fast!! It seems like it was just Christmas. The new year is turning out well, so far. Camara and I are beginning classes again. We haven't taken classes for a couple of months b/c of the new baby and vacations. Camara is taking an English class and Intro to Business. I'm in a PC components class, one of two classes needed to get my A+ certification. We are already feeling the additional pressure of more to do. Camara is having a hard time deciding what to major in, so for now her major is general studies. I am almost finished with my AA in Logistics and will soon begin work on my BS. I am hoping to expand my career into a computer science degree. We are both very happy that we are able to go to school. Lauren is still just as beautiful and cheery as always. Often times she will come up to me and in a real sweet voice say "I love you so much." Nolan is beginning to be fun. He smiles a lot like Lauren did. I think that he will be just as much fun as Lauren was/is. We love being parents. This year is going to be a little harder as I will be deployed from June-December. This will be my second rotation. We've known that it was coming so at least we can be prepared. I will be going to Qatar. It shouldn't be too bad. They have dorms instead of tents and they don't ever get attacked. I feel privileged to be able to serve in the military. Like they say, "Freedom isn't free." Camara is awesome though. Last rotation she kept busy by taking classes. She is very supportive. I am also going to Guam in February. I will be very busy but should have some time to go scuba diving. So there you go most of out year is already planned. Crazy stuff! We have a big vacation planned for next year so that should help us get through it all.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone!

Capel updates!

This past month and 1/2 has been so crazy! Oct. 24th I had Nolan. He is so sweet. He is 6 weeks old and is growing like a weed! He likes to eat a lot! Well...actually he is on a really good schedule but he eats a lot when it is time to eat. Lauren, the big sister is doing a fine job at big sistering! She likes to hold him and put is pacifier in his mouth. She also likes to play in all his toys like the bouncer (which she has already broken once) and his swing. We are trying to keep her off them as much as we can b/c they will eventually break. She somehow has learned the phrase "shut up" and so when Nolan cries she tells him to shut up! It might be cute to you but its not quite so funny when it's your child saying those things!

Last week we got home from a 2 week trip out west to Utah. We had a good time visiting with family but are so glad to be home. I am finally getting my house back in order after the trip and we put our Christmas stuff up last night. Christmas decorating is starting to feel more and more like another chore on my list. I never understood why my mom wasnt excited to put Christmas decorations up and now Im realizing that it's not really that fun! ...especially when it's time to take them down! I somehow have to talk Joe into finishing the outside lights today since it is a nice day.

I have lots of things to do this week such as various appointments and house/mom stuff. Then this weekend it is off to Texas for another week. Joe has a duty assignment for work and so I am going to go down to stay with his sister. I want to go, but was really looking forward to getting things back to normal here at home. Poor Nolan has been away from home longer than he has here. Oh well...I guess I am young and should have energy for this chaos!

I cant believe Christmas is just a few weeks away. It comes back so fast each year. My sister and her husband are coming out right before Christmas and then my mom and dad are coming out right after. Maybe after the holidays we can be normal again and not be so busy. I want to do everything on our list but am anxious to get to the gym and have a normal schedule. But then Joe leaves at the end of January for another TDY and then we are leaving to celebrate our 5 year anniversary (early b/c he is deploying in May which means we wont be together on July 1st on our actual anniversary). Then the chaos begins again since I will have to be a "single mom". Oh well...life goes on...I really am alright though...I havent had a breakdown yet! Well I best be getting back to my life....

We're back home!

We're home at last!!! After spending over 2 weeks away from home in Utah we made it back. We had a good time but it is always nice to get things back to normal. Lauren and Nolan did perfect on the car ride out there and back (17 hours one way). Lauren watched her dvd player most of the way and Nolan ate every 3 hours and slept the whole way. Joe and I are now tired of eating IHop and McDonalds since those are the only 2 places we ate on the way out and back! I told Joe "no more McDonalds" at one point on the way home! For some reason he loves McDonalds and I dont! We have lots of new pictures of our trip and you should be seeing them on here soon. Everything is good here at home...just some leaves to rake and Christmas decorations to put up...and of course lots of unpacking as always! Christmas is right around the corner (26 days) and we are now having to hide Lauren's presents we bought on black Friday. If we would leave them out she would help herself to playing with them! Nolan could care less as long as he is fed and his diapers are dry! Gotta love babies! Keep an eye out for new additions to our blog.
Joe and Camara

Go Colts!!

Welcome!

Welcome to our new family site! Enjoy!








Lauren's new baby doll, she named him Nolan.

WE DID IT!!

We finally created a blog. Now you can all come and read about our exciting life! This seems like a great way to keep in touch as-well-as have some sort of family journal. Camara and I are excited to share our life with you.