Long Weekends

Weekends are always hardest when Jasen is gone. I don't know if it's because that is usually when I get the most help from him, or it's the lack of activities or if it's just the lack of companionship. But I always miss him the most on weekends.

We had a good week. I think we're all still getting over the trip. I have just been exhausted. The kids have both slept late this week or later than usual. I am glad it's not just me!!

Davis has developed blisters on his hands. I am not positive what it is, but I am suspect hand-foot-mouth disease. Grace had it while we were in Germany, along with almost all of the kids in the nursery at our chapel there. Anyway, Davis only has the blisters on his hands, which is unusual. I called our nurse advice line today and the nurse suspected HFM, too, so we'll be staying home from church tomorrow. Davis is drooling so much right now, I am afraid he'd give it to everyone!! One other funny thing about these blisters, they are almost exclusively where he was bitten by ants while we were in Texas. We'll be going to the doctor on Monday, I hope.

Grace will be going to church tomorrow with our friend, Theresa. She works in the nursery at our church, at PWOC and also keeps the kids for me on occasion. I asked Grace if she'd rather stay home with Davis and me or if she wanted to go and she wants to go. Hard to believe we haven't been there in four weeks. I feel guilty about not going, but I know it's best for all the other little kids. And Grace will go, so that's good.

We were able to webcam with Jasen some this week. Night before last, he got up in the middle of the night to see us all and try to talk. During "normal" hours (like 7 pm to 2 am, his time) the internet is clogged and there's a huge delay for us to try to talk. So he got up in the middle of the night to talk to us. He was able to watch me feed Davis, talk to Grace, then talk to me. It was a good time. Today, we webcammed, but didn't talk. He was able to watch the kids play and I think that was good for him. Just to be able to see us makes a difference, right Jasen? :)

Pics and Trip highlights

okay, here are some highlights from our trip to Texas:

-Davis got his first black eye. He tried at least twice one day to get one (face plants on the carpet, if I can remember correctly) but settled for falling into the loveseat at Grandmama's. It was just a purple mark above his left eye. No bruising beneath his eye.

-Grace got to visit the church where Jasen and I were married.

-The kids had their pictures taken in Texas bluebonnets. Can you believe Grace is over four years old and had never had her picture taken in the bluebonnets? I know these aren't the prettiest or thickest bluebonnets, but hey, they are bluebonnets and you can tell they are!

-Davis and Grace got to ride on their grandad's golf cart all around. Grace even rode all the way to the golf course from her grandad's house. That's a long trip! Davis wasn't too excited to be on the cart with the wind in his face. I'm hoping he'll get over that one day!

-Grace spent over an hour playing Barbies with her granny. Pictures of that are coming soon!

We've seen him!

We were able to webcam with Jasen today. It was such a thrill. Of course, there were technical difficulties, but it was great to see him and talk to him. I did it first, without the kids and, although we were only able to talk after about 20 minutes online, it was great to see Jasen. Davis woke up in the middle of our initial webcam meeting and was able to see his dad. He smiled so big! Then, Jasen was able to watch Davis roll of the couch while I went to get wipes. I am sure he wanted to call the authorities on his wife!!

I went and picked Grace up from school (it was in the afternoon today), and she was then able to see her dad, too. The first thing she said to him was "You have no hair!" It was so funny. I don't know what Jasen thought about that, but he put his Aggie cap on after that. Grace talked so fast and mumbly that Jasen didn't get half of what she was saying, but we'll work on that. Davis was trying to touch the computer nearly the whole time, so using the webcam with the kids was less than optimal. But we'll get into a routine on the whole thing.

I don't know why, but I am absolutely exhausted today. I really have just hit a brick wall as far as energy. I think a lot of it has to do with sleeping in the same room as Davis. When he's in another room, I don't hear him the numerous times he awakens in the night. Now that we're home, I can go back to being oblivious to his night wakefulness!

I know, I know, where are pictures?? I promise soon!

Home again

We made it home last night around 9 p.m. It was a long trip yesterday, but we're home and that's all that matters now! Davis slept until 7:45 and Grace is still in bed. It's almost 8:45!! I think this is some kind of record for her! That's what staying up late with no naps will get you. I am glad she doesn't have school until this afternoon.

After I finish blogging, I'll start downloading Yahoo messenger so we'll be able to webcam with Jasen. I don't know who is more excited, Jasen or Grace. It's all she's talked about since we left Texas.

I have some pictures I'll be downloading shortly. I'll post a couple on here and upload the rest to Shutterfly.

...in Texas!!

Sorry it's been awhile since I blogged. We're in Texas, which means I spend little time on the computer. This update probably won't be very long, but it will give you a sense of what we've been doing here.

We got to my sister, Katie's house in Lewisville last Thursday. We spent time there with her, my sister, Amy, and her kids. We had a good time. We also got to see my sister, Angie, my dad, and our dear friend, Connie. We were eaten up with college basketball. We still are. I am watching the Aggie game tonight at my dad's and I am hoping we'll be able to watch it together. I am used to watching them alone and this team makes my dad nervous, so we'll see!

Speaking of my dad, Grace is with him right now, spending some time with him on his land around Proctor. Of course, today is the day it finally rained in Texas. UGH!! But I bet Grace is having a great time on the golf cart and walking in the rain.

I told Grace that being in Texas always reminds me of her dad and she asked why. I didn't realize Grace didn't know that Jasen and I have history here!! So I was able to take her to look at the church we were married in. I took pictures and will post those when I get home.

Yesterday, we went to Breckenridge to see the great-grandparents. The kids love all the extra attention they get while we are in Texas. And they love to play with the kids at Grandmama's/Janama's house. Grace has been able to eat at McDonald's twice, which is a highlight. Grandparents are good for those eating places!

Last night, I went to Granbury and played a basketball game in a league my friend, Jennifer, is in. It was a blast! There's a group of ladies that play at Fort Riley on Wednesday mornings and I plan on joining them. After the game, I went back to the Karnes' house, where I ate their leftovers and watched Lost with them. Being with Jen and Jason makes me feel closer to my Jasen, as we're all good couple friends. And it's cool knowing they miss my Jasen, too, that it's not normal for him to be with us.

Jasen is doing okay. Our brigade has lost some soldiers this week and had some injuries. That makes for trying times for everyone. And Jasen is remembering what it is like not to have any privacy, not to be able to get away from the people he works with because he lives with them and vice versa. So say a special prayer for him. He did get our old laptop and the webcam, so when the kids and I get home, we'll be able to see him. Yea!!!

Hard Times

Davis woke up this morning with a fever and congested nose. He's had the congestion for awhile and I've been unsure if it's allergies or a cold. I am not any closer to knowing what it is. His ears did have a lot of wax coming out of them, but I don't know if that is an indication of an infection. I had an FRG meeting today and because I am the leader, I had to be there. Thankfully, I had our babysitter, Jayme, in line to come watch the kids. Well, she called me during the meeting because Davis had been crying the whole time since I left. She wondered if she could give him some medicine. When I got home, Davis finally fell asleep in my arms for a little while. I am prepared for a long night tonight.

Grace woke up early (6'ish) with a congested nose and slight cough, too. I doped her up with some Sudafed and she took a rare morning nap. What do people do who have children that don't nap? Anyway, she seemed better by this afternoon, when we were able to go out and play with our neighbors, the Kazors.

We were saddened yesterday to find out that Jasen's Aunt Kelly's husband, Cavanaugh, passed away. Kelly and Cavanaugh had only been married for just over two years. They were very happy together and we are so sad for Kelly and her (and Cavanaugh's) boys. Please say a prayer for them.

Jasen received a "Atta boy" today that he knows nothing about. Yesterday, Nolly Gibbs, the brigade commander's wife, and I went to breakfast. First off, she has been such a great mentor to me. She is so helpful to me in the FRG role and also encourages me not to let it take over my life. Believe me, the FRG leader role could be a full-time job. Anyway, this morning, Nolly talked to Col. Gibbs and told him to tell Jasen that we had spent time together and that I am doing well. She said Col. Gibbs then said he didn't know what he'd do without Jasen. He said Jasen was so professional, competent and unflappable in his job. I knew all of that already, but what a compliment. I guarantee Col. Gibbs hasn't told Jasen that himself, so I'll tell the world for him!

Wednesday, we head out of here. I can't wait!!!!!!

Couple of pictures

Well, I finally was able to upload pictures from our camera. With this new computer, I didn't have to load any software, I just plug the camera in and the pictures download. How easy! Anyway, I'll be sending more pictures soon. They are so old; most are from Christmas and Davis' birthday.

The pictures above are more recent. The one of Grace and Jasen is from the day he left. It gives you an idea of what her hair looks like. Davis is in his Aggie finery because the Ags were playing that day. I am completely eaten up with Aggie basketball. I hope I don't have to miss too many games while I am on the way to and from Texas!!

Things here are going well. Tonight, Grace's prayer was that she hoped her Aunt Katie had a good birthday. Grace continues to be really helpful to me, with few exceptions. We spend a lot of time talking about Jasen and where he lives right now. In her prayers, she always says she hopes he's having a good time.

Davis is such a stinker. He loves to sing, all the time. If I ask him to, he just starts.

I continue to just be busy, busy. The kids and I head to Texas and it couldn't come too soon. We need a change of scenery, somewhere the deployment isn't in our face the whole time. I am looking forward to having some downtime from my military-related responsibilities here at Fort Riley.

Grace was disappointed today to find out that we would be driving to Texas. Poor girl thinks we should fly everywhere! I wonder why??

Strange weather

Yesterday, we had a great day. After Grace got out of school, we grabbed some McDonald's and took it to a park to eat and play. Then, after nap, we got out for a walk and played some more outside. We did all that because I knew what was being forecasted for this area. Sure enough, we woke up this morning to no electricity (due to wind) and an inch or two of wet, nasty, blowing snow. UGH!!! Have I mentioned that, although I like winter, I am sick of it??

So I got up at 6, because Davis was already talking, and went out and shoveled the drive and sidewalk. I think by the time winter rolls around again, I'll be OVER the shoveling! Anyway, after that, the electricity came on for about 30 minutes, long enough for me to make Davis' oatmeal. Then off again, then on again.

Grace had a fun day at school. They've been discussing outer space. The parents were invited to come to school early to pick the kids up and we were treated to a fun time in Mrs. Peggy's space station. It's amazing what you can do with trash bags and a fan! Grace's favorite planet is Pluto, because she knows "there's a dog named that." I haven't had the heart to tell her scientists have decommissioned Pluto as a planet!

We talked to Jasen for a few minutes today. He sounded good, but is already tiring of not having any privacy. He's getting along just fine with his roomie (his first sergeant), but there's just no privacy. I can't imagine living and working with someone all the time.

Davis is walking everywhere now. For the first few days, he didn't want to walk on the hard surfaces, but now, he's doing it all the time. So much so that he's cracked his head on the hard floor more than once. But he's a big boy and lets me hold him for a minute, then he jumps back up to get back after it.

I can't tell you guys what a joy watching Grace's and Davis' relationship is to me. Those two love each other so much. He'll just hug on her and she lets me. I never thought much about how they would interact when Davis was little; it's such a blessing for them to be so crazy about each other.