Nutcracker

On Tuesday my neighbor and I took our girls down to Phoenix to see the Nutcracker. This is Avery's favorite ballet and she was so excited. We got the girls all dressed up and put on a little make-up. Avery did quite well and only got antsy at the end. They also got their picture taken with the sugarplum fairy which Avery was excited about until she found out her sister and her friends were going to be in the picture as well. It was such a special day to spend with my girls and I know we will treasure those memories!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Jesus is the light of the world.

These are a couple pictures from our candlelight service at church on Christmas Eve. It was such a great time spent together!

And Avery not to be outdone!

And since Kaylee did a video Avery had to do one too!

Sorry about them being sideways I don't know how to turn them!

A Video For You!

Here is a funny video of how Kaylee makes Avery laugh!

Funny Picture!

When we went swimming at the YMCA the other day we were changing in the locker room and I couldn't find Avery. Suddenly one of the doors opened and there she was! She thought this was quite funny. This girl definitely keeps us laughing!

sickness~

It has been quite a weekend here. We have been fighting the crud. It started with Avery then to Zack and now I have had it for a few days. I am hoping to not have to go get antibiotics again. We have still been working on our Christmas stuff around here. The girls and I made buckeye balls and then today we made our applesauce ornaments. They turned out pretty cute and smell great too, We have some made 10 years ago that still smell great.
Today Zack went ice skating for the first time. He was so excited. I thought it would be frustrating for him but he did awesome! He was going so fast! Of course everyting he tries to do he is good at. He fell a couple times and now claims he has a sore bottom. He wants to go again and now the girls want to go too. Although if Avery goes I will have to put on skates and I don't think I have done that since I was about 6. At least they have walkers out there! Here are a few pictures!

Productive Day

Today was one of those days where we actually get most things done that we planned to. We worked on our lapbooks, baked some banana bread, did some holiday crafts and played some games. Throw in some Christmas books and movies and I would call it a great day! The girls love to cook so they helped with the bread. Of course everyone is game for some crafts. We made handprint reindeer and popsicle stick snowmen. We also played a new game called race to reverse. It was great since we all could play. Tonight we are just doing our Jesse Tree and enjoying ourselves!

Busy weekend!

This was such a busy weekend for us full of Christmas things. It started Friday night with a Walk through Bethlehem. A church in the area puts this on every year and it was wonderful! The hardest part was waiting for over an hour to get our tour. We had a guide who took us through everything Mary and Joseph would have done. We had to put our name down for the census and pay our taxes. Then we traveled to the different stores and heard about the things they did in those days. At the end was Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. It was a special thing and so cool for the kids to experience what it was like. On our way home we found a house that has an amazing light display. It is even set to music! So cool!
On Saturday we went to home depot for their kids day and we made some art easels. Then we ran Zack over to his basketball evaluations. Then we went to another Christmas parade in Prescott. This town has so many parades!
On Sunday we went to church and then we took some of our family photos. I cannot reveal them on here since they will be in the Christmas cards! After that we went to see a Christmas play. It was called The Christmas Post and had a great message about Jesus and miracles. After that we ran to AWANAS where everyone earned a patch this week! After we clebrated with ice cream and then went home and crashed! I am sure looking forward to some downtime.

A Quiet Moment (or not so quiet with Kaylee!)

I sure don't catch this very often. Zack and Kaylee sharing a moment together. They used to be best friends but as Zack gets older he pulls away from all things sister. I am so glad when they share a moment like this. Kaylee had asked Zack to read her a book and Zack agreed. Of course Kaylee had to add in the silliness. When they saw me taking pictures they were both upset and I had to promise it was just for me! So don't tell them!

The Military Wife

Welcome to my world!

What is a MILITARY Wife?

A Military wife can be tough to describe.

She is a southern belle,

a northeastern Mets fan,

a California 3rd generationrecycler,

a Pacific Islander.

She is short or tall,a tomboy,

a fashion diva,

a physician's assistant,

a Republican,

a Democrat.

A Military Wife is a career gal,

a home-schooler,

a scrap-booker,

an accomplished cellist,

and an auto mechanic.

What IS a Military Wife?

WHAT is a Military Wife?

What is a MILITARY Wife?

They may look different and each is wonderfully unique.

But this they have in common.

They have THIS IN COMMON!

lots of moving---moving

moving

moving

far from home

moving two cars, three kids and one dog----all riding with HER, of course

moving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS house

moving curtains that won't fit

moving jobs and certifications and professional development hours

moving away from friends

moving toward new friends

moving her most important luggage:

her trunkful of memories

often waiting-waiting,

waiting,

waiting for housing

waiting for orders

waiting for deployment

waiting for reunion

waiting for phones calls

waiting for the new curtains to arrive

waiting for him to come home for dinner----AGAIN!

They call her "military dependent", but she knows better

she can balance a checkbook

handle the yard work

fix a noisy toilet.

She is intimately familiar with drywall, anchors, and toggle bolts.

She can file the taxes,

sell a house,

buy a car,

or set up a move,

--all with ONE Power of Attorney.

She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.

Reinvents her career with every PCS

locates a house in the desert,

the arctic

,or the deep south and learns to call them all "home".

She MAKES them all home.

She is fiercely IN-dependent

Military Wives are somewhat hasty

They leap into decorating,

leadership,

volunteering,

career alternatives,

churches

and friendships.

They don't have 15 years to get to know people.

Their roots are short but flexible.

They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.

Military Wives quickly learn to value each other.

They connect over coffee,

rely on the spouse-network

and accept offers of friendship

and favors and record addresses in pencil.

Military Wives have a common bond.

The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands -

his commitment is unique.

He doesn't have a job, he has a "mission"

he can't just decide to quit

he's on-call for his country 24/7, but for you, he's the most unreliable guy in town!

His language is foreign:

TDY

PCS

OPR

ACC

BDU

And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his.

She is the long-distance link to keep them informed -

the glue that holds them together.

The Military Wife has her moments--

--She wants to wring his neck,

dye his uniform pink,

and refuse to move to Siberia.

But she pulls herself together.

Give her a few days,

a travel brochure,

a long hot bath,

a pledge to the flag,

and a wedding picture

And she goes.

She packs.

She moves.

She follows.

Why?What for?How come?

You may think it is because she has lost her mind.

But actually it is because she has lost her heart.

It was stolen from her by a man

who puts duty first

who longs to deploy

who salutes the flag

and whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her military

husband,

she will remain his military wife.

I love this crazy life!

Tea Time!

Avery was playing in her room yesterday and came out to invite me to a tea party. Of course I said yes since I am never too busy for a tea party. Kaylee decided to come too. Of course there are always arguments over who will pour and serve. It was a wonderful to share this time of cheese sticks, animal crackers and water. I am so glad for these invitations since I know as they get older there will be no more tea parties. I thank God for everyday I get to spend with my children
"Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven." Henry Ward Beacher



This photo is from last night. When I came in to go to bed Avery was on the floor almost in the doorway fast asleep!

A magical night!

Last night we surprised the kids with a ride on the polar express! The Grand Canyon Railway about an hour from here does a polar express ride during December. I knew the kids would really enjoy this since the love the movie. We didn't even tell the kids where we were going until we were about 15 minutes away and it was driving them crazy! I told them I would give them a clue so I gave them some gold tickets with the word believe I punched in them. Zack thought we were just going to see the movie. They were so excited! Avery was very nervous and kept saying she didn't want to ride but when we got there so loved it. First they went in and wrote and mailed their letters to Santa, talked with Mrs. Claus and had our photo taken. After that we went out by the tracks to wait. They finally heard the whistle! It was a fun ride complete with hot chocolate, cookies and a reading of the polar express. After reaching the north pole Santa got on and visited each train car and handed out all the bells to the kids. I was surprised at how much Zack really got into it. He says this was the best day of his life. I know as the kids get older this time of year will be less magical for them, and someday they will be all grown up. I am so glad we made this special memory with the kids this year, what a night!