Chris is on the way HOME!

After 5 weeks of training in the desert of California, Chris should be home around 9:00pm tomorrow night. We are all so excited to see him that time is seeming to creep by right now. I know we only have a week until he leaves for his 7 month deployment, but we will take any time together that we can get.

Luke had a busy week. He has been taking swimming lessons on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. He is really starting to become more confident in the pool. He even tried to swim a little by himself on a noodle. After going all the way underwater, I thought we would never get him back in the pool. His teacher, Miss Tiffany, did a great job at convincing him that going under is all part of learning to swim like a big boy.

Luke also went on his first class field trip to Mike's Farm. I was able to go with him and we had so much fun. First we went to hear "Granny" tell us all about the Pioneer Days. She told us how they cooked, washed clothes, played games, etc. Luke found it all very interesting. Next, we went over to the barn for a sing along with Cowboy Earl! Definitely my favorite part of the trip. Luke even got on stage to help him sing "Happy Trails". After the music, we when on a hayride to pick our pumpkins and finally went to eat lunch. Luke and his buddy, Eric, had fun looking at all of the animals together. All in all , it was a great trip.

I took a picture of Hayley that describes her to a tee!

Part Hello Kitty princess, part truck driver (love the hat!). She is still working on potty training. We had a few great days of keeping her diaper dry but not so much clean, if you know what I mean. I just have to be patient and it will happen. She amazes me at how independent she is already. She tries to get dressed all by herself and she can get her shoes on sometimes. She talks a mile a minute with some of the funniest expressions. Who knows what the next day will bring with her. Everyday is a surprise!

And baby makes 5!

So we are having another baby. What a joy and blessing. Chris and I are so excited that God has blessed us once again with the privilege and gift to raise a child. I am currently 9 weeks along and feeling pretty gross. The nausea is constant and I am extremely tired, but I know it is all for an unbelievable cause. Of course we are both sad that Chris will miss the pregnancy and birth for this child, but that is what a video camera is for, right? He is not expected home from Iraq until 3 weeks after my due date. God has chosen this time for us to have another child, so I know that he will take care of every detail.
Luke and Hayley are excited as well, although I don't know how much they get at this point. It will be fun to see their response as my belly grows and when they get to feel the baby move. I look forward to creating those memories with the two of them.
We are all counting down the days until Chris gets home from CA. He is expected to be back in about a week. He will then have 6 to 9 days before he leaves for Iraq. We will take every minute we can get until he has to go.
Well....I'm off to get anther bottle of ginger ale and lie down on the sofa (seems to be where I am most of the time lately). Until next time.......