Christmas 08!

Christmas started out with just me and Josh opening some gifts at home- not many pictures of this because it was just the two of us... well, my parents were watching us on the webcam, that was fun!

Then we went over to Danny's dad's house for Christmas afternoon and dinner- that was a great time- but somehow Josh ended up being in charge of taking pictures... the following are what we have of that...

I'm waiting to get copies of Becky's pictures and my friend Kelly's pictures- they'll be MUCH better quality. :) in the mean time, these are kinda fun to look at.

Me, Kelly and Uncle Danny

not quite sure..

Auntie B.

Becky and Kelly King

The kid's table: Grace, Forge and Joshy.
We didn't get home until WAY past Joshy's bedtime, so he wasn't able to play with his present from Santa until today. A Leap Frog computer! He loves it! We stayed in our Jammie's all day today and just enjoyed some down time at home.

We hope Christmas in your house was all you had hoped for! :)

Thanksgiving: I know, a little late..

I just realized I didn't really post anything from Thanksgiving!! I know, I've become a slacker-blogger!

Josh and I headed up to keystone with some family friends. It was awesome, we all stayed in an incredible cabin up there and enjoyed each other's company while playing games, watching the snow fall, lots of shopping, and a fire in the HUGE fireplace every day and night. (Seriously, that fireplace put my little one to shame) We even had an indoor hot tub! Josh thought that was awesome.

Here's a video of Kristi's husband Steve with Josh playing one of his games. It was so fun watching Josh interact with everyone and have so much fun. I don't think he stopped giggling the whole time we were up there! Josh sure loves his Uncle Steve and Aunt Kristi.

Josh and Laura- Josh has a huge crush on her. :)

Kristi and Josh sticking their feet in the hot tub before bed. (Josh wanted to wear his mittens.... I don't really know why... )

Steve, Josh, Debi and Kristi in the background

I also had another Thanksgiving at my house the weekend afterwards, but we were all so frazzled, we didn't get ANY pictures!!! I know. I'm so beyond bummed about it. It was a great time- and came together surprisingly well!

I hosted it at my house- but was informed by my sister at dinner that I didn't actually do anything... after a moment of thought, I realized she was right. LOL That doesn't really explain why I was so busy that day though... But the food was great and the company was even better.

My favorite part was after dinner all the kids were in my living room with Becky's husband, Uncle Danny, playing with balloons. There's nothing better than a roar of uncontrollable giggles.

Here's hoping Christmas is just as great!!

(...and I promise, I'll take pictures and blog all about it directly...)

Singing to Dad before nap time.

Josh was getting settled down on the couch yesterday for a nap and he wanted to sing a couple songs to Daddy. He's been talking a lot about his Daddy lately, just out of the blue he'll have a heavy-sigh and say, "Mom? I miss my Daddy." I've been hearing that at least once a day the last few days.

We are so ready for Daddy to come home.

We're still working on our ABC's. He misses a few, and repeats a couple, but he sure loves the ending of that song.

Finally some pictures!!! Re: Boxes for Bartolla

I just got the mail and there was a package from Tyler. In it, was a camera card with the last few pictures he took before his camera broke. (yeah, huge bummer)
I don't have any pictures of the boxes actually being delivered, but here are some of the boxes Tyler received. He said he lost count at about 200 boxes. AWESOME!!

Because Tyler was so busy with the PSD Unit he's in, he actually had to have another platoon deliver the boxes to Bartolla. He was told that they took pictures and everyone was so excited and grateful, but he has yet to get copies of the pictures. Hopefully we'll get those soon.

Thank you again for all your love and support, this was a great experience!!

Please Read: Update on boxes to bartolla:

Hey everyone- I just got this email from Tyler. I guess he's still getting boxes for the people in Bartolla- Please read this and pass it along to anyone you know that sent any boxes to Tyler.
Thanks! Kelly.

Hey Babe,
I have a concern. I just got 2 boxes in the mail from Spring Creek, Nevada. They were addressed to me and had written on the side "for families in need." Normally, that might be ok, but not now. I finally got the Bartolla packages out to those guys, but I had to have another platoon do the drop. Let everybody know their packages reached the people who were extremely grateful for the help. However, since it was a different platoon I may not get the photos for a long time. It sucks that it didn't go how I wanted, but hey the stuff got where it needed to go. Now here's the new problem. We don't go talk to people anymore. We meet only military contacts and deal very little, if at all, with the community. I think the last time we got hit, the Colonel decided to change his ways a little. So please relay that I can't deliver things anymore. The 2 boxes I got will go to our CA(civilian affairs) group and they will distribute as they see fit. The other thing is that combat patrols will stop eventually, in prep to go home. Once that happens, I won't even see the Iraqi people. I wish I could tell you when that will happen, but I don't know. Sorry this is short, love you.Ty.

I can't stop laughing! *Unwritten Rules*

Video/Telephone Call with Tyler today.

We had a 15 minute slot today at Fort Carson to do a VTC with Tyler. It was so nice to *see* him, but boy! 15 minutes goes by fast!
Josh was so sweet- he kept running up to the screen yelling "HI DAD! DAD! DAD!" he wanted Ty to hold him.
When we left, Josh started freaking out. He was in hysterics by the time we got back to the car- crying and asking for his "daddy-bear". (it's a teddy bear in ACU's that we got at Ty's basic graduation)
Now that we're home, Josh is fine and is as happy as can be. Although he has asked a couple times to talk to Dad again.
Ty said he'll call tonight if he can, I really really hope he can.
Anyway- it was a great visit and he told me to tell everyone "Hello!"

Some pictures:
Josh waiting patiently
When Josh finally saw Daddy

As close to a family picture as it's going to get this Christmas

Thank heavens, it's almost Christmas!

I can't tell you how nice it was to get up this morning and flip the page of my calendar to "December". Christmas is just around the corner and I take full enjoyment in preparing my home for it's arrival.
As some know, none of my Christmas decorations (tree included) survived last year... I took a little bit of built up aggression out on my tree when I was taking it all down- and somehow it all ended up on the curb for the trash man... oops.
Anyway- it was fun going to the store to get a new tree, ornaments, stockings, etc... I got a little tree this year- for a few reasons. 1. space. I have a very small house so a small tree fits a TON better. 2. cost. Sheesh! Tree's are expensive!!
Anyway- here's what I have so far- and of course, a fire in the fireplace makes everything better.

Off to make myself some hot apple cider! :)

Time to blog! Josh and his spider!

Josh is really into spiders lately. He draws them, screams at them, runs from them, squishes them, talks to them, etc... This would be a little more understandable if there were ever actually any spiders around.
Anyway- I think he has a promising future in art. What do you think?

Joshy's Christmas List for Santa:

Blue's Clue's notebook.
a pumpkin.
colors.
a Piggy-puppy. (is this a cross breed like a labra-doodle?)
and another pumpkin.

Cookies and milk will be left out accordingly.

Saturday morning with Lincoln Logs

Joshy the architect!

I see you!!!!

Tyler here, just updating on the boxes for Bartolla.

Hey everyone- as you can see, we've gotten a couple hundred boxes for Bartolla and I can't thank you enough for all the support you show for everyone over here. We even got a box from California that was just for my unit. Thanks!!
I wish I had a timeline that you can expect photos and updates of the delivery of these boxes, but we do still need to take care of the main mission over here, and that makes taking a whole day to go deliver boxes a little difficult right now.
Please be patient with me, and know that I'm doing everything I can to get these boxes over to the people of Bartolla. For me, helping these people is probably the most important mission of my deployment and I appreciate your help in accomplishing it.
Thank you again,
Tyler Adams.

Interesting to read old blog posts I've written...

I wrote this blog post last September on my myspace blog (back when I actually used myspace...)
It makes me feel like all I've done is blink and all the sudden it's over a year later.
Just thought I'd share.

**************************************************************

Life just keeps going... Current mood: contemplative
Well- it's true. Life, that is- it just keeps going. No matter how badly I would like to push "pause", it just goes and goes and goes...
To give a little bit of an update on us: Joshua is now 18 months and running, jumping and playing all over the place. It's a rarity to find him sitting still- and Tyler and I love every minute of it.
Our little Joshy is also talking quite a bit too- he says the normal "hi, bye, love you, thank you.." etc. etc- but he also has picked up a phrase we're trying to get him to stop saying.... and that would be, "Oh, shit!" we're not too sure where exactly he got it from- but we're trying our hardest to not giggle every time we hear it- and correct him by saying, "No Joshy- we say, 'Oh, Shoot!'" We'll see if he ever switches. In the mean time, it's a good reason for a smile, as far as I'm concerned.
Thanksgiving is approaching... and it will be one year. One year since Tyler got home from his 6 month training- one year since I finally felt whole again. Last Thanksgiving was incredible for us- our first true family holiday. Just the three of us- with an endless list of what to be thankful for.
This Thanksgiving, the tone will be altered- there will be a blanket of uncertainty- and a lump in each throat at the dinner table. As much as I want to enjoy it, it will be difficult. A very bitter/sweet holiday at best.
As most know by now, Tyler will be deploying to Iraq for 15 months shortly afterwards. Of course, due to our friend OpSec, that's all I'm allowed to say.
All of this is why a "Pause" button would be put to good use right about now. Joshua is growing up so fast- and I dread the thought of being away from my husband for so long. I just dread it. What I would give to live this last year over and over...
Of course, knowing how fast the last year and a half has gone- before I know it I will be sitting here once again, writing another blog all about Tyler's block leave half way through his deployment... then, in a blink of an eye- Joshua will be 3 years old, and Tyler will be home. Hopefully, without another deployment in sight.
And I- will finally be able to breathe, and the lump in my throat will disappear.
It will be interesting to see what this next year and a half will bring to my little family. My prayer is, that it will at least contain: a little bit of fun, a splash of love, a pinch of adventure, and a lot of health and happiness.
My prayer also, is that you will have the same fortune. I'll keep in touch- you all do the same.
Love,Kelly.

Beck's belly, Grandpa's truck, and helping Uncle Danny

Thinking of you, Grandpa Dave. *Updated*

Today my Grandfather has surgery to remove a handful of tumors that have kind of spider-webbed themselves to his abdomen and organs. They will also remove his right kidney and two lymph nodes. The biggest concern is his Liver at this point. Hopefully they won't have to remove any portion of the Liver, but right now, we just don't know. After the 7 hour (if all goes well) surgery, we will wait to hear more of his condition and what to expect for his recovery. The cancer is advanced, but if you know my family at all, you know that we aren't going to take any crap from anyone, especially Grandpa Dave. He's a tough one and I'm sure he'll be just as ornery as ever real soon.

I've always had a real close relationship with Grandma and Grandpa Robertson. Growing up, Grandpa affectionately referred to me and Becky as his "Little Shit-Asses". As a life long truck driver, and the sweetest old man I've ever known, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I often give Grandpa a hard time- we can tease each other all day long like nobody's business.. but at the end of they day I love him more than anything and appreciate and treasure our relationship more than he probably realizes.

Anyway, if I could ask- say a prayer for him?

Thanks.

Mom just called me. The doctors were very aggressive with the removal of the tumors- they also were able to take out his right kidney and the two lymph nodes that were infected. They also had to take 2 little portions of his liver. In addition to all of that, they also realized that the cancer had spread into his diaphragm. They had to take a portion of that too and wrapped the rest with a wire mesh to try to hold it all together. The surgery was just under 7 hours, so that was good news- but when the dr came out to talk to my mom, grandma, aunt and uncle, he said that with the surgery Grandpa had today, he has about 12 months to live. I wasn't able to talk to mom about it for very long- obviously she has a lot of people to call and she's dealing with her own emotions as well. She did say that the type of cancer Grandpa has is Renal cell carcinoma. Thanks for the sweet comments- and even the private emails I've received. They mean so much.

Nana at the Airport.

Today I had the chance to run up to DIA and spend some time with my mom durring her layover to Medford. It was nice to see her and watch her play with Josh. We were able to snap some really great candid shots and a video too!

Mom, it was so nice to see you today. Hopefully you'll have another long layover on your way back home. Love you.

I voted!

And now I'm going to go watch the states turn colors while I eat rice krispie treats.

So close I can taste it!!!

Tomorrow is the "Pre-Reunion Training" for all the military spouses affected by this deployment!
I am so excited to go and learn all I can about what to expect when Tyler finally comes home in February!! I'll be sure to pass any vital information on to all of you who are coming to celebrate his homecoming with us!
I can't believe it's finally here!
2 more fast Sundays!!
One more oil change in my car!!

Saint Augustine:

Founded in 1565, Saint Augustine is the oldest continuously settled city established by Europeans in the continental United States. It's a whopping 10 square miles (2 of which are water)...but it is full of history.

Here are the boys in the car on the way!
Ok for some reason- I really love this picture of Becka...

Crazy twirly hall way that made you feel like you were going to fall over! This was at Ripley's Believe It Or Not.

Hayden wasn't really liking the dinosaur so much...

On the Trolly

Potter's Wax Museum

More Trolly

Sleep over for the boys!!

At the airport in Jacksonville waiting to go home. :(

I fear it will be too long before we can snap a picture of us in this silly pose again.

Beck, thanks so much for letting Joshy and I come crash at your place! We really did have a blast and we can't wait to do it again!