A Walk in the Park

I decided I really needed to take a walk this evening- but so did our dog, Zorro. So, I attempted to try the two together. Yeah- try pushing a stroller with one hand, walking a beast with the other, all the while videoing the walk for Andy!!! Talk about super-girl! It actually turned out to be fun. I walked us to the town park and let Zorro play in the water for a little bit. Clayton seems to like the outdoors (like his Daddy) and Zorro learned extra fast that "No pulling allowed" on the leash. Both boys did great, but I'm still huffing and puffing.....(gasp, gasp)

Mommy & Clayton

Down on the Farm

Just in case my blog has a different fan base than my brother-in-law, I am posting pictures of our Memorial Day up on the Plank farm. We had perfect weather and yummy food and lots of family to enjoy it with! It is always great to see Andy's grandparents and it's especially great when Grandpy feels up to sitting out on the porch like he did this day. This is certainly what memories are made of!

Serinated by Harry Cash

Lounging around

Riding down the hill in a little red wagon...

Jon cleans the gutters. =) The entertainment of the day on a rickety ladder!

Uncle Sam wants Me?

Thoughts on Memorial Day

Many know what it means to sacrifice, to have left home, family and comfort to face uncertainty, fear, and danger for the sake of something we call freedom. For generations men (and now women) stand in the line of duty for the service of our country. They serve knowing they may never be remembered, thanked, honored or recognized. But on days like today, I hope, if no other time, we can take a moment to pray for and support our soldiers, sailors and marines. Many have given it their all and for this I say "Thank You!" Here's to our Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Army National Guard to have served, and are currently serving the United States of America!!!! Hooah.

Not Quite Mirror Image

An adorable picture of Andy as a baby has always taken my attention when I've been at his parents' house. I asked Rachel, Andy's Mom, how old Andy would have been, and she guessed 3 or 4 months. I decided to try my hand at taking a picture of Clayton (almost 4 months) with him laying on his belly looking in the mirror. I got great video footage of this since Clayton loved cooing and smiling at his new friend in the mirror! I like tradition, so this was fun to do.


Andy as a baby.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

It's has been cold and rainy here in PA for days now, and I am ready for some nice weather! I don't know about your kids, but the kids I am working with in my student teaching, are more than ready to get back outside instead of being cooped up inside all day. (I am ready to ship them outside too!!!) Hopefully brighter, sunnier days are ahead. I remember sitting in school at the end of the school year and roasting to death & dreaming of summer break, because May was such a hot month. I guess global warming isn't doing its part after all...

NOT YET!!!

Should a baby, not yet 4 months be able to do this??? Aahh!!!

PLEASE DO!!!

Today is Armed Forces Day!!! We should all stop to think about how much our men and women in the service of our great country should be prayed for and supported. They are doing what you and I don't have the ability, strength, or plain old guts to do to ensure freedom in ours and other countries around the world. Of course, I may be a little partial, but it is food for thought, even for me. These pictures were taken as a couple of us wives of DHs met at our local armory after an FRG meeting to hang a sign that was donated. If you don't know a soldier personally to thank, then take a minute or two to pray for one who is in the face of danger.

Painting, Planting & Perfecting a Cylinder

The site where I'm doing my student teaching, has cement cylinders that can be used as giant flower pots. I had the kids paint one on a hot day last week. We had so much fun, that we made it an ongoing project that we finished (with glitter) this morning. It adds beauty and spice to the playground.

Trans-planting the plants the kids have been growing from seeds. We don't have any flowers yet, but the stems are getting taller every day! Yay!

After the paint dried, we put lots of glue and glitter on the cylider so it would sparkle in the sunshine!

Enjoying a story on the circle rug after our hard work!

First Mother's Day

I had a great first Mother's Day! Our church has a tradition of the child giving the Mother a gift or flower as the mothers stand at the front and sides of the church. Since Andy isn't here to bring Clayton up to me, my brother, Kevin did the honors. Clayton loved the flowers, and he even picked a few off the stems for me! I realize now that I didn't get many pictures of the day because we videod everything, so unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of me and my Mom together. She made a huge Sunday dinner that was so delicious! I have a wonderful mom and I am very thankful to have her as not only my mother, but an incredible friend!!! She is a big help to me while Andy is gone, and I love and appreciate her so much!!!


I 'won' this hanging basket by being the only new first-time mom in our church!

Thoughts of a new Mom

I Samuel 1:27 "For this child I prayed, and the Lord hath given me what I asked of Him."

I know tomorrow is Mother's Day, and I will maybe post something later about how my first Mother's Day was, but I was thinking this morning about it all, and it is a little overwhelming to me. This new role of being a Mom is a role that I take very seriously. God gave us this precious gift of Clayton, and I don't want to take for granted the joy He has brought into our lives. There is no chore (diapering, tubby time, baby laundry, night feedings, etc) that I hate. I think it's because we wanted this so badly, and now we have what we prayed for! Clatyon is the "sunshine of my life" and I thank God every day for this blessing. Motherhood did not start out easy for me, and there have been challenges that have been bigger than I would have ever thought I could face alone, but God has given me the courage and strength to face each thing, one step at a time. I am learning to enjoy the journey and not just obsess about the ending. It has not always been easy the last 3 months to face childbirth, sickness, surgery, seperation or schoolwork, but I am doing my best, and that is all that is required for the job. I am more than willing to make these adjustments and sacrifices for my God, family and country. I do not play the same role as my husband, but I think my role is just as important on the home front to make a safe haven for my little family. I hope these are not just rambling thoughts, but maybe a challenge to someone facing more than you think you can handle. Hold on, and take it with daily grace. Being a mother will no doubt give me a lifetime of things to work through, but every obstacle gives an opportunity to grow, mature and change for the better! I love being a Mom. It's who God made me to be, so I will continue to do my best and raise this precious boy to be what he was intended to be. I love you, Clayton Andrew, because you made me a Mommy!

Special Delivery

As I commented recently, Just when I thought I couldn't love him more....my husband surprises me again with his thoughtfulness!!! I came home from student teaching today, and found an extra-special delivery! My husband, Andy ordered gorgeous flowers and an adorable teddy bear for me (from Afghanistan) to be delivered from a local florist- today for my first Mother's Day gift. SO SWEET!!! The little card reads, 'We love you, Mommy! Love, Daddy and Clayton'~my two favorite guys! I am so thankful and realize just how blessed I am to have such a beautiful baby boy and such an amazing husband! ~Thank you Sweetheart!

This bear's tag reads, "make someone happy." He fulfilled his purpose here!

Keep posted for more thoughts on about Mother's Day!

Tribute to Mom

I was blessed with a great Mother. Being a boy who loved to play in the creek, behind the house, or riding my bike through mud puddles. I couldn't have asked for a better mom. She never yelled at me for coming home, with ripped up muddy clothes. Which was quite often. Nope, I suppose she just figured it was part of having a little boy to raise. And there were two others before me, so she had plenty of experience to go on by the time I came into the world. Although, the older two were not near so adorable, or smart, or fun, or...well anyway, I don't want to get sidetracked. The point is raising me might have been tough for some moms. I often came home with a flopping fish, salamander, or a bucket full of cray fish. And I fully expected to be praised for bringing home such excelent trophy's of conquest. And, I was never disappointed. There was always a kind word of affirmation to be had from mom. "Well, that's a nice salamander you have there!" she might say. I didn't realize that a wrinkled nose was a sign of disgust till I got married. Thus I was always a happy, if dislusioned, little boy. She also had to pretend that it was extremely funny that she achieved record levels of air time from finding my toy plastic but, realistic looking snakes laying somehow exactly where she would find them in her flower beds or by the steps leading to the house. She also went to great lengths to get free, outdated bread from the local grocery so that I could feed the ducks that swam the stream behind our house. And, as a result we often found a vast multitude of hungry ducks outside in the yard waiting for the little blond guy to come out to feed them. This later led to a problem when the little blond guy became interested in hunting at an early age, but that isn't one of the more pleasant mommy and son memories so I won't discuss it at this moment. Any way the point is, my Mom was awesome.
Now I know a new mommy. Who is the joy of my life, and I'm extremely proud of her. She has a tough job, with playing a single mom, for a cause that a lot of people might think is not nesasary. But, she never complains to me about it. She just does her best, taking care of little Clayton and holding the homestead down till her husband gets home. I'm extremely lucky to have her in my life. And, I know that some day Clayton will be writing on his blog, that he had the bravest and best mommy a little boy could ever have.
Mom & Kara -- I hope you both have a wonderful mothers day. I LOVE YOU!

quote to ponder

"It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you" - Dick Cheney

Happy Cinco de Mayo

OK, the only thing I am celebrating is this:

I figured since it was a beautiful 75* sunny day, it would be the perfect time to take down my outside Christmas lights!!!! (don'tcha think!?) I was way too pregnant to take them down in December, way too unbalanced (still pregnant) in January, way too sick in February, way too tired in March, way too lazy in April...so May was the perfect time for me to take down any remaining snowman decorations, lights, and Christmas wreaths!!! I have never been this late with it before, so hopefully you can laugh with me and cut me some slack...?

My Christmas lights with our blossoming tree in the background! lol

Yard Sale Treasures

Today was community yard sale day in my town. I am not typically a yard-saler, but my friends with young kids always say they get great deals for kids' clothes at yard sales, so I decided to venture out,(even for just for the exercise). I was surprised at how right my friends were! The following pictures are some of my purchases. It was a little chillier than I thought, when I left home too, so this hat for Clayton was one of my first deals of the day. He seemed to like it to!

These are only a few of the awesome name-brand boy's clothes I bought!

My ultimate favorite purchase of the day- a handmade, wooden high-chair!!!!

28 in Afghanistan

Well who would have thought that I would celebrate my 28th birthday in a war zone. Its been quite an experience so far over here in Afghanistan. I spent my 28th birthday roasting in the sun, laying on a tin roof to help make sure that some one didn't try to collect on a man with a price on his head. Yeah, that ain't a complaint though, its my job. And hey, I'm getting some sun. And, that is something I didn't see to much of in the coal mine back home. The hardest part of being here is not being with my wife and son. Its a little tough to see his pictures and realize how big he is getting already. I can't help but to smile every time I see his picture. He is just such a cheerful looking little guy. I know we will get along great when I get home. In the past people told me I'd regret joining the military once I had my own family. Well, I have my little family now. The truth is, it is hard to be away from them. But, I wouldn't want to be here without them back home. You see I know that no matter what other people think about what I'm doing over here, my wife believes in me 100%. Her support and strength keep me strong and encouraged, because even when we are apart, we are a team. I love her, she is the best. So I've counted some of the blessings I've received in my 28 years, and the good definitely out way the bad. God, had given me so much to be thankful for. So in case anybody is wondering. I had a great birthday.