End of our Turkey break

Just a glimpse at some of the happenings over Turkey Break last week...

Thomas wanting to make his own PB&J sandwich - notice the torn bread? Yeap... I had to step in and spread peanut butter on a whole new piece by the time he was done. Hey, but at least he is interested, right?

I was NEVER a fan of baby shoes when Thomas was an infant - matter of fact, I don't think even think I put his first pair of shoes on until shortly before his 1st birthday when he was about to walk. Abbigail (and apparently all girls) is different. I already have been given LOADS of shoes and so this past weekend I figured I'd let her try a pair out. I also figured since she loves to stand while you are holding her on your lap, shoes might be a good thing! Here are her cutie feet!
She is actually "standing" a lot more in her Exersaucer - check out those shoes!

OK... funny story! I pulled out this travel bed that we had from when Thomas was an infant this weekend to bring with us when we went to my girlfriend's house. Thomas immediately called it his "black boat" - is that not hilarious? Well, at least what he did for the rest of the weekend with it was funny. He laid in it with a pillow and blanket and read books. Too funny! He did not want to admit at all that it was too small for him OR that is was for Abby. Nope - he claimed it as his.

Abber-Dabbers!

"ToJo" (sometimes Brian has been known to call Thomas this as a joke. It is "redneck" for Thomas Joseph. Get it... "To" is for Thomas and "Jo" is for Joseph. I'm not fond of that knickname but I can't help but chuckle.

Serious Injury!

I don't even know where to begin! Brian logged onto Skype the other day and as soon as the webcam was up and working, this is the image I saw on my end of the computer. As you can imagine, I said, "OMG... what happened?" He was kinda smiling, but I really did want to make sure the thumb was indeed still attached.
He proceeded to tell me that during the day, he was up 16 feet high on scaffolding and the end of the tape measure came out and sliced his thumb down to the bone. He said it wasnt' bad until he had to relax the pressure he was holding on it in order to climb down and then blood started flow'in everywhere! 4 stitches later he is up and running again - good as new! I had to be a smartass though (since he always is to me) and I asked, "Did a camel bite you" before he explained the real story! :) Thank goodness that is the only injury to speak of...

Thankful for blessings

I know I can speak for my husband when I say that we are truely thankful for blessings - more specifically - our two little blessings that God has given us. Thanksgiving was a day to reflect on how lucky we truely are for our health, our children and the love that our friends and family give to us unconditionally. What a good year it has been!

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Love,

Zipper 'jammies

Just about the time Thomas could assert his independence (about a year ago), Thomas had no interest in wearing full length PJs. He liked the separate tops & bottom 'jammies. That is until tonight when I was getting Abby dressed for bed with her PJs and he noticed that there were no snaps, instead he pointed out the zipper on her pink 'jammies. He said, "Mommy, where are Abby's snaps?" I proceeded to explain to him that these were different ones - they had the super fast zipper on them. He seemed very intrigued. I asked the sure-fire-question... "do you want to wear some 'jammies tonight that have a super fast zipper?" His response was a given... "Please, yeah Mommy!" At that moment, we scooped Abby up and headed to his room. I opened the draw that had the winter PJs and I pulled out these blue ones with sharks all over them. You would have thought it was Christmas when he saw them. Two cool points for Mommy!

Showing off their Zipper 'jammies

RED HORSE babies

Before Abby grows out of the RED HORSE onesie that was given to us when we were pregnant with Thomas, I thought I'd put it on her today and take some pictures. I'm actually getting ready to pass it on to another RED HORSE mommy-to-be who happens to be a good friend. I figured she would enjoy it and get some photo ops with it like we did with both Thomas and Abby. Anyway... at first it felt wierd to put the color black on a baby girl, but then I realized that she just looked like a bad-ass baby dressed in black (I'm sure her Daddy doesn't want to hear that). Here are the two of them in Abby's room as I'm taking pictures today...

Abbigail dressed as a RED HORSE baby
Thomas dressed like a RED HORSE baby 2 years ago ... do they look alike? I personally think their noses and eyebrows are the same.

Thomas and Daddy in their gear

Update from the "Sandbox"...

... is a little funny this week. Apparently internet was down most of the day today (their only day off) and some of the guys got bored (Brian included). Just one phrase will capture their experience today - "Don't tease the camel."

There are no words being said here but if I know my husband well enough, I know that he was poking fun and teasing this camel right before these pictures were taken. Those of you who know him will agree... he is a smartass!
See... serves him right for being a smartass and teasing the desert camel! I bet he won't do that again if he wants his picture taken with him.

Not sure if this picture was taken before or after the "incident", but I can't help but think he looks like a tourist here. Are there such things as American tourists in Iraq? That seems wierd. Pointless actually. Oh well.. he is a tourist in this picture.

Counting

Video Clip - Here is Thomas doing his counting. His new thing is to use his fingers while counting to ten. As you can see, he does pretty good with 1-5, but 6-10 is a bit harder. Not sure why he is whispering either but he does crack me up when he does it. Abby is, of course, watching him intently and soaking it all in. Enjoy!

The Drool Factor

Abbigail is in full drool mode lately. Going through mulitple bibs is the norm now-a-days. She is also cooing and "talking" up a storm. Here is a glimpse at our little one from this week...

Thomas is showing Abby his new ViewFinder that he got as a "prize" for earning 3 stickers this week on his Night-Night Sleep Chart. Not a bad reward for only $5!

I still remember the ViewFinder I had as a kid... they are awesome!

Enjoying the sunshine today in the Exersauser

So many things to look at; check out the feet finally being able to touch the base (and it is on the lowest setting) YEAH!!!!

Coloring. Letters. Numbers. Racecars.

Video Clip - Abby enjoying outside in her Exersaucer. If you listen close enough, you can her some of her cooing & "talking".

God made Military Wives a Different Breed

A close friend of mine reminded me that ALL deployments are difficult for everyone involved - military member, spouse and children alike! I couldn't argue with her. She sent me this as a reminder to be strong even when things are starting to overwhelm me:

~ GOD MADE MILITARY WIVES A DIFFERENT BREED ~

WHEN THE GOOD LORD WAS CREATING WIVES, HE WAS INTO HIS SIXTH DAY OF OVERTIME. AN ANGEL APPEARED AND SAID, "YOU'RE HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THIS ONE. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE STANDARD MODEL?" AND THE LORD REPLIED, "HAVE YOU SEEN THE SPECS (SPECIFICATIONS) ON THIS ONE? SHE HAS TO BE TOTALLY INDEPENDENT BUT MUST BE SPONSORED TO GET ON THE BASE; MUST HAVE THE QUALITIES OF BOTH MOTHER AND FATHER DURING CRISIS; MUST BE A PERFECT HOSTESS TO FOUR OR FORTY; MUST RUN ON BLACK COFFEE; MUST HANDLE EMERGENCIES WITHOUT AN APPROPRIATE MANUAL; MUST BE ABLE TO HANDLE FLU, BIRTHDAYS AND MOVE AROUND THE WORLD; MUST HAVE A KISS THAT CURES EVERYTHING FROM A CHILD'S TORN VALENTINE TO A HUSBAND'S WEARY DAY; MUST HAVE THE PATIENCE OF A SAINT WHEN WAITING FOR A SHIP TO COME HOME; AND HAVE SIX PAIRS OF HANDS." "LORD," SAID THE ANGEL, TOUGHING HIS SLEEVE GENTLY, "COME TO BED. YOU CAN FINISH THAT TOMORROW." "I CAN'T," SAID THE LORD. "I'M SO CLOSE TO CREATING SOMETHING UNIQUE. ALREADY, I HAVE ONE WHO HEALS HERSELF WHEN SHE IS SICK, CAN FEED THREE UNEXPECTED GUESTS WHO ARE STUCK IN THE AREA DUE TO BAD WEATHER, AND CAN WAVE GOODBYE TO HER HUSBAND FROM A PIER OR A RUNWAY----AND UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO HIS COUNTRY THAT HE LEAVE." THE ANGEL CIRCLED THE MODEL OF THE MILITARY WIFE VERY SLOWLY. "IT'S TOO SOFT," SHE SIGHED. "BUT TOUGH," SAID THE LORD EXCITEDLY. "YOU CANNOT IMAGINE WHAT THIS WOMAN CAN ENDURE." "CAN IT THINK?" "CAN IT THINK! IT CAN CONVERT 1400 TO 2pm!" FINALLY, THE ANGEL BENT OVER AND RAN HER FINGER ACROSS THE CHEEK. "THERE'S A LEAK," SHE SAID. "IT'S NOT A LEAK," SAID THE LORD. "IT'S A TEAR." "WHAT'S IT FOR?" ASKED THE ANGEL. "IT'S FOR JOY, SADNESS, PAIN, DISAPPOINTMENT, LONELINESS AND PRIDE," SAID THE LORD. "YOU ARE A GENIUS," SAID THE ANGEL. THE LORD LOOKED SOMBER AND REPLIED, "I DIDN'T PUT IT THERE."

Sites and Sounds from the "Sandbox"

Update from the "Sandbox":

The guys have just finished the two 7200 sq foot dorms that the Army guys will move into soon - the Army loves when RED HORSE comes to town because they are the ones who improve the quality of life for everyone and also are the ones building all the necessary military operation elements (runways, dorms, etc).

Notice the token "Charlie the Horse" symbol that the guys mark on all of their buildings. Anywhere you go in the world - you can tell if RED HORSE was there and what they built.
Brian's work desk in his room - it is nice to know that we surround him when he is so far away. He even has some of Thomas and Abby's artwork hanging to the left of the pics.

New project - to build a 2-story church underneath the KSpan cover. I have no idea WHY they are building it there???? But I imagine that when they are working on the 2nd floor, things are going to be tight.

Outside walls are going up and inside rooms are starting to take shape. I have told Brian to make sure they do an extra good job because God is watching as they build his house. He-he.

Apparently morale seems to still be high at their base as the guys continue to work hard on this project. Brian says that time is flying by and the guys work really hard day-in and day-out. As far as Brian goes, he stays really busy with logging some serious miles each week on his runs - matter of fact, today he is running a 10 mile race. I know - CRAZY!!!!! In addition, the gym is his best friend. OK... that is the update from the Sandbox. Again, he sends his thanks to everyone who continues to keep him in their prayers and also those who have sent mail... it is always a good day in Iraq when there is mail!

Grandpa's visit

This weekend we were busy relaxing and playing with Grandpa who flew down from DC. It had been quite a while since we saw him, but that was simply because the weather would never cooperate on the weekends that him and Grandma Liz tried to come down. Heres a glimpse into our time with him...

Abby and Grandpa meeting for the 1st time

Saturday morning we painted outside because it was beautiful. The paint set was my prize for getting 3 stickers on my "Night-Night Chart".
We hit the playground before we drove to Pensacola for a stop at Joe Patti's Seafood and then dinner at the Crab Trap.

Fun, Fun, Fun!

Lov'in the Swings

This morning, we drove Grandpa back to the Destin Airport and helped him load up the plane with his luggage and the 20lbs of shrimp that he is bringing back home (thats what the ice chest is for). We got to catch a ride out on the flight line to the plane on this "taxi" cart!

Grandpa and Thomas with the plane

Mommy, Thomas and Abby

Rookie Pilot

"Have you done the pre-flight check, Grandpa?" What was really neat to see was when Thomas realized that when he turned the controls (steering wheel) the flaps on the wings moved. He was kinda in awe that he controlled something on the plane.

Thomas discovered the backseat - "wow, very roomy back here, Grandpa!"

Mommy & Abby (good thing I put a hat on her... things were nippy out there on the flight line).

Thomas still checking out the plane

We walked the flight line back to the terminal so Grandpa could do a final weather check and we could say goodbye!

Thanks for coming down here Grandpa - we had a great time with you! Hopefully next time Grandma Liz will be able to make the trip and we can all relax together!