Carwash Screams

Alright girls, I sure hope you can laugh about this someday. I knew that Charlie didn't like car washes. The couple times I had brought you through one, you lost your mind and no words or hugs made it better. So I have avoided taking the car through a wash in the past year or so. I generally do it myself at the house or wait until I am out by myself. Well the other day, you asked to go through a car wash. I was so surprised that I had to find one just to see if you had secretly conquered your fear. It was our lucky day, I saw one on the next corner. All was good until the jets hit our car, creating that loud noise. You instantly lost it all over again, screaming and crying. Then you lost it too, Olivia! I'm not sure if you were genuinely scared of the noise and water or if Charlotte just set you off with her crying. Either way, it was way too hilarious to sit back and watch with no evidence. I snapped a picture and regret not taking a video. Love you girls...don't hate me.

See Ya later Daddy

Well girls, your daddy left for Afghanistan this week. We have been busy all summer getting our family settled and ready for this separation. I worked quickly to get us into a new house and your daddy tackled numerous projects through the day he left. While we were distracted in the time leading up to his departure, reality set in when we dropped him off. He hugged and kissed both of you girls and we tucked you back into the car. By the time he got to me we were both already teary-eyed. When we hugged we both let our emotions go and just cried together. Neither of us like prolonged goodbyes so we gave each other words of encouragement, a kiss, and parted ways. It was tough to see your daddy so affected by leaving us. But we are so confident in one another's abilities to cope and succeed in our time apart.

Charlotte's Third Birthday

Well I sure hope you girls forgive the inevitable neglect that the blog will endure from time to time over the years. Quite a lot has happened in the last couple months and big things are still happening. Our return from the beach ushered us into rapid packing of our rental house, closing on our new house, moving, unpacking, Charlotte's birthday, and now preparing for your daddy's deployment. I will get to updating you on our  cozy new home and how we fare as dad heads out for awhile. The important part right now is Charlotte's third birthday.

You are such a smart little girl! You have been talking about how you are two, but you will turn three on August nineteenth for six months now. We have been practicing holding three fingers up for several weeks now and you were thrilled to have it mastered by your birthday. We had a small party at our home with friends and Chrissy and Poppie. Dora the Explorer is your favorite in the world and of course asked for a Dora cake. In the past, I scoffed at the mothers that went crazy with character themed parties. But when your little girls says something is her favorite and she wants it on her cake, mama joyfully obliges. I asked a friend from church to do Dora, Boots, and Swiper cupcakes and you were very excited with them! We had a few of your friends over to celebrate and play with you. It was so fun to see you share your cupcakes, presents, and toys. Daddy and I are so proud of how kind, polite, and considerate you are to others. You have a giving heart and you warm our lives every single day.