Westcreek Picnic

Currently we live in a community called Westcreek.  It has a very active Homeowners Association that holds a yearly picnic for the community.  This is the first year that we have attended.  Nate was off on his first scout camp out, so it was Matt, Dan and I that went to the picnic.  Doug decided that staying home and mowing the yard would be more fun.  The boys and I first visited with the county fire department.  Matt and Dan were able to sit in the brand new fire truck. 

There were also a lot of games for the kids to play. For the younger children they had a bouncy house, pony rides, and mini train rides.  The older kids could enjoy the mobile video game station or the giant hamster ball. 

Dan took his turn in the plastic hamster ball.

But the favorite game among the older kids was where they were able to get Velcro bean bags out of giant noses and throw them at each other to see if they could get the bean bags to stick.  My boys were all over that one.

Nate Turns 11

Yep, the double ones.  With this accomplishment of turning a year older he gets to advance from the Cub Scouts and join the ranks of the Boy Scouts.  So a major part of his birthday gifts this year was his scout uniform.  (Talk about an investment)  He also received a Wii game that has something to do with airplanes. 

He wanted to visit a two story book store (Nate's idea of utopia).  We timed it just right and were able to see Rick Riodan.  Too bad we didn't have any of his books with us or we might have stood in line for an autograph. 

Nate decided that pie was in order this year so we celebrated with apple pie and ice cream.  As presents continue to arrive, Nate gets to enjoy his birthday over and over. 

Homecoming

HE IS HOME!!!!!

Ok, Doug has been home since May 3rd but can you blame me for not updating the blog when I could be doing much more interesting things like staring at him, taking him with me on every boring chore, and basking in all his at-homeness. 

Let's see if we can make a long story a little shorter.  I had a tentative arrival date of May 4th with the understanding that this was probably not going to happen so I kept it to myself.  On the morning of the 1st I received an e-mail stating that he was in Kuwait waiting to move out to Germany.  Tears of happiness were mine when I realized that he was out of Iraq and on the move.  Again I kept it to myself as he could be delayed anywhere along the way.  Later that day I received another e-mail saying that he was in Germany.  Again, tears.  I e-mailed back to tell him that once he reached US soil he was to call me. 

May 2nd I had a doctor's appointment when I received a call on my cell phone (I had been sleeping with the thing for days).  Now I feel that taking calls when you are interacting with others is just rude, but for this call I asked forgiveness for being rude and told my doctor that I had been waiting for this call for seven months.  I couldn't get the hello out before I was crying.  Doug was on the other end of the phone saying that he was in Baltimore and would be on the plane the next day that would bring him finally home.  He had to stop to ask me if I was driving because I was crying so much and he was concerned.  I assured him that I was safely sitting with my doctor making him very uncomfortable with my blubbering.

 As I picked the boys up from school I was able to tell them that their Dad would be home the next day.  Oh the excitement.  We cleaned house, made posters, picked out clothes to wear, and planned a special welcome home meal.  We were ready.  Until of course Doug was 30 minutes early getting into the airport.  As we ran (literally ran) through the airport to meet him, I couldn't believe that my well laid plans to meet him at the gate had been foiled by the efficiency of the airline.  (Who knew????)  But at the end of the day Doug was home where he belongs.

You can hear the happiness in Dan's voice in this video he made.

Dealing with Deployment

One thing that having Doug deployed has taught us is that we can handle most things.  Now they may not get done in the same efficient manner, but they get done.  Sure there are a few things on his "Hunny Do" list but not as many as I thought.  I can take very little credit for this fact.  The boys have really stepped up and helped out.  Usually without me knowing.  Case in point is the weekly getting ready for church.  Now all my boys are big enough to get themselves dressed, hair brushed, and teeth taken care of but a couple of them still need help with their ties.  They already know that although mom can do this she is not the expert.  So Matt has stepped in and taken over this chore so everyone looks good.

Deployed Family Activity

One of the reasons we decided to stay in San Antonio during Doug's deployment was the great support that the Air Force has for deployed families.  While he has been gone we have received calls from commanders, holiday baskets from his unit, dinner with other deployed families from the base, and a great family night out.  These are just a few of the activities and outreaches available to families of deployed members. 

The last event we got to participate in before Doug got home was a "Jump It Out" night at Pump It Up. 

The Willford Hall Auxiliary (non-profit support group) sponsored the event and great fun was had by all.



Easter

Easter was the last holiday that we had to celebrate without Doug.  I learned one really important lesson about that, I cannot do it all.  Usually while I am cooking he is having the Easter egg hunt, or I'm filling baskets while he is filling eggs.  Yep, none of that help this year, but we did our best.  We started with the Easter basket treasure hunt.

Please excuse the length of the video, but I knew Papa would really get a kick out of this.

Then it was off to church were I got to teach Relief Society.  (Glad that is over)  Then back home and we managed an Easter egg hunt but ended off postponing Easter dinner until Monday due to lack of before mentioned help.  I was a great day anyway.

How Truely Blessed Am I



Today I woke up with the most amazing migraine.  (I blame the change in weather and not drinking enough water over the last couple of days.)  As I lay in bed waiting for my medication to start working I started to think over the week ahead of me.  As I thought, a great sense of peace and love enveloped me.  And like Alma I thought "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the ^atrump of God..." to declare that the Lord loves us.

I have been lead and guided by His hand.  He has carried me when I could not walk.  "My God hath been my ^asupport; he hath led me through mine ^bafflictions in the wilderness..." (2 Nephi 4:20).  He has sent his angels to minister to me in the form of loving people who have seen my need.  He has been the light in my darkness, my harbor in the storm, and my rock.  And after all this I hear his voice saying  " Well done, thou good and faithful ^aservant..." (Matt 25:21). 

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives
He lives, He lives who once was dead
He lives, my everliving Head
He lives to bless me with His love
He lives to plead for me above
He lives, my hungry soul to feed
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply
He lives to guide me with His eye
He lives to comfort me when faint
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart
He lives all blessings to impart

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend
He lives and loves me to the end
He lives, and while He lives I'll sing
He lives, my Prophet, Priest and King
He lives and grants me daily breath
He lives and I shall conquer death
He lives, my mansion to prepare
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His name
He lives, my Savior, still the same
Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives
I know that my Redeemer lives
He lives, all glory to His name
He lives, my Savior, still the same
Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives
I know that my Redeemer lives.

Text: Samuel Medley 1738-1799
Music: Lewis Edwards 1858-1921
Included in first LDS hymnbook

For this knowledge I am truly grateful.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and love us.  Their goal is to see us return to heaven to live with them again.  I know we are not left alone to do this task but are guided and supported.  This I know.