Museum Trip

Grace and I had a good morning. Her class made a trip to the Geary County Museum in Junction City. Davis went to the babysitter and I was the only parent helping Mrs. Peggy on the trip. That sounds like a big job, but Grace's class is so small (only 5 kids total), there were only 3 kids that made the trip. So everyone piled into our car and away we went.

The museum reminds me a lot of the Historical House museum in Stephenville. It gave you an idea of what life was like about 100-150 years ago in Geary County. Grace's favorite places on the tour were the hat room (she chose a purple and red velvet number for me) and the shoe shine chair. Mrs. Peggy pretended to shine all the kids' shoes. It was cute.

There's a pretend train station in the museum. Everyone had to choose where they were going before they could get on the train. I chose to go to Fort Worth (don't ask me why!). Grace first chose South America! Don't ask me why on that one, either. It's not like we've been there or will be going there! Mrs. Peggy told her to choose somewhere in North America, and Grace chose Kansas City, so she could go see her cousin Joe and his broken leg. So she choose a place so far and one really close. It cracked me up.

Davis has been slightly less fussy the past few days. He's been sleeping better, which helps. I don't know why he was so unhappy last week, but he was. He's having a few tummy problems right now, though. If you don't change his diaper immediately when he gets it dirty, his little bottom gets so red and he screams in pain while you change it. I wish I could put my finger on what is making him so sensitive but I don't know what it is.

Today begins a week of "lasts" for us. Jasen will be gone by this time next week. You try hard not to think of it as his "last Wednesday" or "last..." but you can't help it. You just try to make the best of it. We watched the Sesame Street video on Monday night that discusses deployments. Grace got weepy in the middle of it, which made Jasen weepy. That night, Jasen and I discussed a lot of the feelings I am having but not talking a lot about. There's no other way to say it than it sucks. It's just that plain.

Good Friday

We had a great day today. Jasen had the day off so we headed to Build-A-Bear Workshop. Grace was able to build a bear (and we did one for Davis, too), that Jasne was able to add a spoken message to. She LOVES it and can't put it down. Jasen had to be talked into the idea, but said more than once on the way home what a good idea it was. We had good Mexican food, too, which means the day was a huge success for me!

Things here just get more and more real. We've all been experiencing waves of emotion. Well, Jasen and I have. Grace talks very matter-of-factly about Jasen leaving, with almost no emotion attached. I think that's the hardest part for me; I know the pain she'll be feeling in just a couple of weeks.

Yesterday was the deployment ceremony for the brigade. You might be able to go online and see at least a portion of it. I'll check into that. Anyway, Davis stayed with our neighbor, Katie, as the ceremony was during his naptime. Grace and I got all dressed up and went. We sat with Jasen's new first sergeant's wife, Rozlynn, and had a good time. Everyone was crammed into one of the gym's on post. It was a real fire hazard, believe me! Grace was plenty annoyed with all the sitting and standing. They announced all the battalion commanders and sergeant majors, then announced Jasen and Sean (the new first sergeant, who insists on me calling him by his name; such a departure from the last first sergeant! Sometimes, I can't remember his name!!) as the command team for HHC, 4IBCT. Sometimes, I forget that this second command is an honor for Jasen.

After the ceremony, we hung around talking to everyone. It's really special for us because, although Jasen has moved on from the field artillery battalion, we're still so connected there. They are all so special to us and they never hesiteate to tell us that if we need anything, we're still "Proud Americans," which is the mascot of 2/32FA.

Grace spent quite a bit of time in Nolly Gibbs' arms. That's the brigade commander's wife, who is fast becoming a close friend, especially to Grace. Grace thinks Mrs. Gibbs is the best because she always has chocolate.

Oh, and we found out yesterday that our washer/dryer repairman is also the Junction City mayor. Isn't that funny? When he worked on our appliances about 16 months ago, I thought he was so nice. I guess the good people of JC think so, too!

Tomorrow, Jasen and I will have our last date night before he leaves. He called our favorite restaurant/wine bar and requested their best table (we've been there a few times but have no idea what the best table would be!) and waiter. We want a nice evening, for sure.

Okay, I feel a wave of emotion coming on. Just pray for us.

Been Awhile

Yes, it's been awhile since I've blogged. We've been busy. Today, we're having a down day, though. Yesterday, Grace had to have four shots (updating immunizations) and today, she's sick. Last night, she got sick in the middle of the night and is running a fever now. So we're staying in today. I hate it when the kids are sick.

We had a great weekend. On Saturday afternoon/night, we received four inches of snow. So Sunday, we declared a "Snow Day." We didn't go to church, just played together as a family. Grace delighted in sledding again this year; Davis hated it. I mean, the boy screamed the whole time we were outside. At one point, Jasen took Davis down on the sled, but only managed to coat him with snow. So Davis and I weren't out long.

Grace and Jasen sledded for a quite awhile, then after lunch, headed back out to make a snowman. It looked pretty good until Monday, when the snowman fell, aided I am almost positive by some twerpy kid on the way to school.

Yesterday, Jasen's mom's parents, the Gees, were here. They were able to help me with the kids, while I went to PWOC and then later, when I took Grace to get her shots. Then they took Jasen and Grace out for dinner. Why didn't Davis and I go? Well, Jasen got in his mind Chinese and I don't care for it. At lunch (at McDonald's, of course, which was Grace's choice), I said I could use the time at home alone. Then, Davis took a short, short afternoon nap after no nap in the morning, so I knew he would be a bear come dinner time. The four of them went to dinner, while the two of us, stayed in.

Sure enough, Davis was in bed by seven, which meant he was awake at 5 a.m. Jasen and I have decided that Davis has a conspiracy against me ever getting sleep. It's really frustrating. I am going to let him have a short nap this morning and then another one this afternoon. Davis has just been really hard since we got back from Texas. It's a combination of things, for sure. Like getting over the horrible ear/eye infection, cutting his molars (they are still working in), getting his own battery of shots (I think it was five), being spoiled while we were in Texas, etc. So Davis hasn't been a lot of fun for us. Here's hoping he'll get better soon!!!

Daily Grind

We're doing well here in Kansas. We had some snow and ice last weekend and it's been cold, but that hasn't stopped life around here. I guess we are cold weather people now! I got out and shoveled the drive and sidewalks yesterday. Hey, it's a good workout!

Grace is doing well. Feeling a little cooped up, no doubt, as she hasn't been outside to run around. It's really just too cold. The high today will be 25. I never thought that would sound warm but after the last week up here, I think it does! It's at least close to freezing!

Davis has turned into quite the kisser. He clicks his tongue or smacks his lips often for kisses from all of us. Oh, and anyone at church who is interested. It's hilarious.

We had our predeployment briefing last night. Yucky time, but I think the families got some good information.

Catching up

I am going to try to catch you guys up on what has gone on with us lately. Of course, the deployment is in the forefront of our minds right now. We told Grace this past Saturday. She acted like it was no big deal, but Jasen and I both realize it's because she can't fully comprehend it. I am prepared for a lot of emotions from her in the coming months. Please continue to pray for her and for us. Telling Grace was hard on Jasen, so naturally, he got emotional. Being the mature girl Grace is, she climbed into her daddy's lap and told him it would be okay. Precious meomories.

Davis' birthday went really well. He loved his cake! Unlike Grace, he was all too prepared to put those fingers into the icing when we put the cake on his high chair tray. It was hilarious, he just kept sticking his fingers in and sucking on them. He wasn't that interested in the cake, but he loved the frosting.

His favorite gift was a truck that our neighbors, the Kazors, gave him. It's a Little Tykes truck and he adores it. Except when it gets turned over on it's side; then he just screams until we help him or he gets tired of screaming. We've been trying to get him to learn to correct it, but he isn't entirely interested in that!

He had his doctor's appointment yesterday. He gets to start on cow's milk, which our bank account is thankful for. He had to have FIVE shots, which was murderous for all of us, even Grace. Then he missed his nap and was a complete bear for me until Jasen arrived, when he became the perfect baby again. UGH!!

Grace and I went to church last night and Jasen stayed home with Davis, since Davis was more than a little sleepy. I am helping with the 1st and 2nd graders on Wednesday nights. On the way home, I asked Grace what they discussed in her class. She said "Oh, you know, about David." When I asked her to be more specific, she said "Just the same ole, same ole, he watched sheep, he became king, blah, blah, blah." She's a four year old teenager, like, for sure.

We're back!

This is going to be a quick post, but I wanted to let you all know that we are home! We got back last Friday, but our computer crashed on Sunday, so I haven't been in touch with hardly anyone. I am going to do my best to update you all very soon, but I've got a million things going on right now.

Davis is one year old! I can't believe it. I'll be posting photos from that, too.

Hugs to you all!