What happened to the last 9 years?

On December 15 Kaitlin turned 9. WHAT?!?!?!?! I can't believe how grown up she is getting. We celebrated with a dinner out, and cake and ice cream. Her gift from us was a Gotz doll, a German doll.

It was 9 years ago that Kaitlin was brought into our lives. I went to the doctor on the 14th (she was due the 6th) to see when they would induce me-they were talking about waiting until December 20th, and I was really upset because I wanted to be in Iowa for Christmas. Well, that day when they did the ultrasound they realized that I didn't have enough amniotic fluid to sustain her and she would be in distress if they didn't act fast. So, they started inducing. Twenty-four hours later she was finally born! 6lbs, 9 oz-a tiny beautiful little girl. We were released from the hospital the afternoon of the 17th, Jamie and I went home and packed our car and headed out to Iowa on the morning of the 19th. (We were stationed at Ft. Stewart, GA) Craziness!

She's a star!

I know, I know, I'm behind on this...
So, Kaitlin performed in her play, "It's a Wonderful Life" She did a FANTASTIC job. The entire cast did, but I think Kaitlin did the best-I'm a little partial. She actually played several parts-young Violet, Janey Bailey, a newspaper boy, and one of the Martini girls. (the Martini family was one of the ones that George Bailey helped to buy their own home.) We were so excited that Jamie was able to be there on opening night (that was the day he arrived super early, lol) She just got into acting this summer while he was in Iraq, so this was the first time he was able to see her perform. It was a beautiful play, and we are so proud of our little girl!

It is finally OVER!

439 days, 62.71, 14.63 months, 1.2 years. That is how long Jamie spent in Iraq. Wow! That's a long time! And in case you're wondering, I had an excel program that kept track for me, because you know I would miss something somewhere in there if I had to keep track of it manually.

Last Wednesday (Dec. 3) we woke up to snow. It was so pretty! And falling so quickly. A.J. and I took Kaitlin to school (after I checked my email for the hundredth time-I was waiting for our FRG to contact me and tell me that Jamie was on the way) Then, A.J. and I headed for the airfield so that he could go to school. The traffic was so bad it took us a half an hour to go maybe 2 miles. We were right at the exit that I could get off and come back on post the back way so we headed home. By then I had an email from the FRG letting me know that Jamie was in Kuwait! I was on pins and needles all day waiting for the next email. That evening I had an email telling me that Jamie was on his way to Germany and would be here the next morning at 5 A.M. I also had a phone call. We were warned that there were weather warnings, that it was supposed to snow all night and there was a danger of black ice in the morning. I decided that we would leave for the airfield around 3:30 AM. That would give me plenty of time to get there if it was too icy. I finally went to bed around midnight, and was back up around 2:45 (I overslept! I wanted to be up at 2) Then around 3 AM I received another phone call telling me that the reunion ceremony had been moved up to 4:15 AM! We rushed around getting ready and were out the door by 3:45. The roads were clear and DRY. We arrived at the gym, and sat down. It turned out to be a great spot, because as the guys marched in they turned RIGHT IN FRONT of us, so we saw Jamie right away. There were a few speeches, and then FALL OUT! And it was over. This deployment seemed like it would never end, and just like that we were through!

Thanks to everyone that has emailed, called and sent packages to all of us. We appreciate and love you all.

Happy Halloween!

It's Official

Well, it's official...I am the mother to a drama queen. We have suspected it for a long time, but this past weekend it was confirmed. Kaitlin tried out for the community (yes COMMUNITY, not school) Christmas play. They are doing "It's a Wonderful Life" She was up against 10-15 other little girls for one of two parts...and she is IN!!!!! She plays the part of young Violet. She is just over the moon excited about this. In a few years you can all say "I knew her when..."

Twelve Years Ago

October is one of my favorite months...the weather is nice-not too hot and not too cold. The leaves are changing colors, and it is beautiful. Oh, and on a Saturday afternoon twelve years ago I married the love of my life. Who would have guessed how much our lives would change? We were college students when we married, and now twelve years later he is an officer in the Army and we live in Europe. Who knew? I remember our first anniversary. We were at Ft. Lewis, WA. We were so broke we rented a room (yes, a ROOM, lol) from a lady. On our anniversary we took a trip to the beach with one of our housemates, and he treated us to dinner at Denny's. Good times:)

No matter where we are, if we are separated or together you have my heart Jamie. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you, and watching our children grow up, and spoiling our grandchildren. I love you with every ounce of my being.

My "Baby" is five!

Five years ago Jamie and I headed to the hospital, excited, and as for me, ready to get that baby out of me! After a relatively short labor Alexander James was born. His lungs were collapsed so he was flown to the University of Missouri Hospital-the closest hospital with a NICU. During his stay there the nurses called him their "monster baby" He was born a week overdue, and was 8 lbs-he was a monster compared to the other babies! Now, five years later he's still a little monster...although not in size.

Monday night during bedtime A.J. asked me if we could go to Cinnbon for caramel milkshakes (caramel chillatas) After making him say Cinnbon about five times (it was soooo cute!) I agreed. Wednesday morning A.J. took goody bags to school for all of his friends, and on the way home we got a caramel milkshake. Later that afternoon, he opened his presents. He got a helicopter rescue set with a helicopter, boat, and rescue divers and a set of German emergency vehicles. The emergency vehicles have sirens-and I think that Rachel might want one so she can always remember the LOVELY sound of European sirens, lol. We went to Anthony's Pizza for dinner (buy one get one free night!) and had some cake afterwards.