Week 4 - Sugarland and Remembrance Run

Week four must have been fairly quiet...I don't remember many "highlights," and during a deployment, that is a good thing!

Liz (my neighbor) and I were able to see 'Little Big Town' and 'Sugarland' in concert at the Iowa State Fair on the 21st and on the 22nd, the kids and I attended the first annual 'Iowa Remembrance Run.'

Sugarland!!!

Thank you to Jim and JoAnn McCord for the tickets.
They had an extra set and were gracious enough to GIVE them to us!!!
It was a great concert and I'm SO glad I went. Thanks Dad for babysitting for me.

Who says 33 is too old for a dress and cowboy boots?!?!
(Grant did tell me that it was silly to wear boots with a dress...
Hmmm, I'm embarassing him already?)

A fellow Guard wife and friend, Heather Johnson, started a charity called Iowa Remembers, Inc. and held her first fundraiser last weekend. A 5K run/walk called the Iowa Remembrance Run. The kids and I, along with Anna, Emma, and Gracie Fuller walked it (well, not the full 5K, but most of it). The charity will provide financial resources to family members of fallen soldiers.

Getting ready...

Notice our decorated strollers!




They placed flags with names of each of the fallen Iowa soldiers along the race path...this included Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mark Wall from Alden.

James Kearney, from Lee's platoon during the '04-'05 deployment.

Although it was a fun day with friends and the normal stresses of trying to get somewhere, on time, with the kids, and the snacks, etc, etc...the flags and names along the course were a very solemn reminder that this war is real, it is dangerous, and the true sacrifice that our service members are willing to make in the name of freedom!

Let us never forget the ultimate sacrifice that some pay and remember to continually lift up their families and loved ones in prayer!

The finish line!

Snacking after all of her "hard work" :)
Oh, and her new camo hair bow that I just HAD to buy from one of the vendors at the race.

The kids have really been into having a "movie night" lately. They spread blankets on the floor, pull all the pillows off my bed and snuggle in to watch...either Cars or Elmo! This usually lasts about 5-10 minutes, and then it's bed time! They are too little to know that you are supposed to watch the entire movie from start to finish...we just finish it the next day/night/week, whatever!

As we are well into week 5, we are starting to feel the strain of having Lee gone. We are all fine, but this new reality is not easy. We are missing him and I am realizing HOW MUCH he does around here. It's A LOT of work keeping up with an acreage, the house, the kids, etc, etc by myself. It's hard to know when to ask for help and when to just keep pushing through. The MOST important thing you can do for us is PRAY! Please continue to lift us up daily, we ask that you pray for strength, health, protection, humility and patience!


“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13)

Brynn's bug bite

Brynna got a mosquito bite below her eye the other day. Now she looks like she got in a fight, poor little girl!

Monday (the day after)

Tuesday (two days after)

Her little eye was half shut!


The same thing happens to Grant if he gets bit near the eye...and my mom says that I was the same way!?!?! Must be some sort of a mild allergic reaction...strange!

Week 3, the Iowa State Fair!

We had a full, but not totally crazy week for week #3. I went to Bible study and an Alabaster Ministries planning meeting on Tuesday night and the kids stayed home with the babysitter. Wednesday a couple of my Bible study girls and their kids came over for lunch, Thursday we went to the Iowa State Fair with Papa, and Friday we headed up to Ames to see Uncle Wade and Aunt Steph's house, drop off garage sale stuff, and say hello to Grandpa Brian, Grandma Paula and Gram...oh, and I managed to get myself a sandwich from Hickory Park too!

The garage sale we are having this weekend in Ames is starting to take over my life!!! I did NOT realize how much stuff we had to get rid of AND how long it would take to sort, tag, organize, etc...I hope we make some good money!!! Stop by if you are in Ames this weekend!!!

Grant being silly!

Brynna and Grant getting ready for bed.

The National Guard tent at the State Fair. Brynna was taking a good look at that guy in uniform...but did not say "Da" like I thought she might :)

Grant wanted to check out the underside of the HUMVEE!?!?!

Corndogs were a big hit with both kids :)

Lee, this picture is for you...the elk!

Playing in the fountain.
This was a PERFECT way to let the kids cool off (and wash off the chocolate chip cookies) in the middle of the day. I was thinking ahead and brought dry clothes for them to change into.

The butter cow!

She's starting to look sleepy, but did NOT (and does not) nap in the stroller.

The "Little Hands on the Farm" area.


We had a busy weekend too, but I'll post those pictures later.

Oh, and if anyone has advice on repairing vs. replacing a dishwasher, let me know. THAT was our broken thing from last week. I'm pretty sure it needs a new seal on the door.



Thanks for the continued prayers, we are still doing well.

Week 2 - Better!

While we are still adjusting, week two was much better! We did not have a jam packed schedule, in fact, we only had three nights booked. One was Bible study for me, Thank you to Grandma Paula for staying with the kids! Wednesday night, Uncle Matt, Aunt Tiffany and Owen came over for dinner. The last event was a get-together with other Guard wives and kids on Friday.

So, we were able to clean the house, get a few things done on our "to do" list and just play!

The kids helped "clean."

Playing with her baby.

Grant was hanging on a branch from this tree, so OF COURSE, Brynna wanted to do it too. She hung there for quite awhile and even pulled her legs up and put her feet on the same branch. Maybe gymnastics IS in her future???

Wednesday evening, after dinner, the kids ended up in the pool. The water was SO warm after sitting in the sun all day.... I added bubble bath and did baths outside!
I know, a little hillbilly, but it worked :)

Grant got a letter from Daddy!

Juice popsicles IN the pool!!!
(This is my all time favorite picture from the summer)

Sweet corn!
(prior to hair cut)

Playing at our friend's house on Friday.
(after haircut...SO glad we got it cut!!!)

With Heather, a Guard wife friend!


Other highlights from the week:

Brynna has ANOTHER ear infection!!! Her 15 month check up (LATE) is the end of this month, I think I'll be asking for a referral to a specialist.

Uncle Wade, Aunt Steph, and Whitney moved to Ames!! Just in time for the flooding and drinking water crisis. We haven't been up to see them yet, but soon.

We booked our trip to Gulfport, MS for Lee's pass dates. All three of us will be flying down!

I have one more thing on the "needs fixed" list, but I'm not sure if I have told Lee yet or not, and I don't want him to learn about our life from the blog. So, I'll be sure to ask/tell him tonight and post soon :)

We are well into week 3 and still doing well. Praise the Lord!

In case you missed it, Lee was interviewed for an article that appeared in yesterday's Des Moines Register.
You can read it here:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20100815/NEWS/8150329/Afghan-ambush-left-Iowa-soldiers-tested

Secret of a "NOT-so-super" Mommy!

I discovered a really cool blog that has some really fun and creative ideas...called Secrets of a Super Mommy. That blog was also linked to this blog. After browsing the two, I found an idea I liked and thought the kids would enjoy, and tried it.

Basically, you fill a bowl with water, throw in some toys, freeze...and let the kids try to get the toys out of the ice w/water, screw drivers, etc...sounds easy, not too messy, and harmless, right? Well, so I thought. THIS is what happened when I tried it!

Looks like success, right?

Not so much, I didn't realize that the ice would expand and BREAK one of my favorite stoneware casserole dishes, ugh!

Oh well, they did think it was pretty fun!

So, although I can hardly claim "Super Mommy" status, I did find a new, fun idea for my kids...so I get points for trying, right? :)

Week One - ExHaUsTeD!!!!

I thought that if we stayed busy this first week that Lee was gone, it would go by quickly. Well, it did...but I'm not sure it was the best idea! I'm exhausted and the house/garage/yard/etc is a disaster (sorry Lee, it will all be cleaned up by the time you get home). I was reminded that we have great neighbors (as if I needed to be reminded...they've always been great), some things have broken and been fixed, and the kids had a great time with our new babysitter, YAY!!!!

The main thing on the schedule this week was Vacation Bible School (VBS). Grant attended (along with his friend, Sam) and Brynna and I helped in the nursery for the workers' children. VBS ran from 6-8pm, Sunday - Thursday...talk about filling up our evenings! Grant didn't say one word to his teachers until the last night, had Sam tell me everything they did on the drives home, and got a little freaked out playing his first game of tag...but, said he had fun and was excited to go back each night! Praise the Lord!!!

Here are some pictures from the last night.

The program.

He's not smiling (or singing) but he's on stage...I'll take it!!!!

His FAVORITE part, the ice cream social at the end!




Other pictures/activities from the week:

Brynna, lying in our bed, with the phone...next to the Daddy pillow - long story :)


We had a storm with 70mph winds, so we spent one (HOT and HUMID) morning picking up sticks and branches.


Sunday morning before church.


Playing outside, after church, in their church clothes.


Riding his bike...love the flag in the background.


A wet mess, and still as cute as ever!


We made a few messes...

and THIS is how well I'm doing at maintaining the yard.
Don't panic, Lee. We'll have it all back in tip-top shape before you get home :)


In addition to VBS, I organized the annual fundraiser garage sale for Alabaster Ministries this week. WOW...I didn't realize what an undertaking that would be. I made numerous trips to pick up/drop off donations, many hours organizing (or trying to) the donated items, and then more hours working at the sale and boxing up the leftovers...and we still aren't done.

On another note, the neighbor kid came over and mowed the lawn for me (I didn't even have to ask, he...well, his mom, volunteered)! The mower quit working, but his dad came and fixed it the next morning, YAY!!!! Thank you Chase and Chance (and Mary)!

A neighbor girl came and sat with the kids while they were napping so I could work on the garage sale stuff. Thank you, Lindsi!!!

We had our new babysitter come over Friday afternoon/evening while I worked at the garage sale. When I pulled in, Grant ran out of the house yelling, "Mom, I had fun!"
Another PRAISE the LORD moment!!!! She WILL be back :)

The Hensley's had us over for dinner one night. Phil came to check on us this morning. Rass called to check in on us. My Bible study girls were ready to come over Friday evening after the send-off, IF I needed them...which I did not. Numerous people at church handed out hugs and asked how we were doing. And both of my brothers, Dad, Mom and Mother-in-Law all called to make sure we were okay.


THANK YOU everyone for your support. It's been almost overwhelming to watch God use all of you to bring peace and strength!


What a crazy week!!! I don't have many things scheduled for week 2. Hopefully, I will be able to clean the house, plan some healthy meals, spend some time just PLAYING with the kids...and find our new nOrMaL! (Oh, and maybe get Grant a hair cut)

Philippians 4:6-7
⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Problem with Blogger/Comments

I've been having a problem with Blogger for quite some time. I am unable to leave comments on anyone's blog??? I don't know if it has anything to do with the fact that I set up a Gmail account (different log in) after setting up this blog (which I log into with a hotmail account)???? Anyway, I have lots to say about your blogs, but can't :(

Oh, and since I've added the map at the bottom of the page...it's driving me CRAZY that there are locations that I can't figure out WHO is looking at my blog!?!?!? I'd love it if you could leave a comment and let me know who you are :)