Daddy Home

Well girls, we got your daddy home! He was gone a total of 6 months and missed you two fiercely. We drove to Fort Campbell with Gma and Papa where you two had your very first bus ride to the hangar. That was quite exciting to begin the adventure. Charlie, you were concerned but excited that there were no seat belts. Olivia liked all of the windows! We didn't have to wait very long once we got to the hangar. They announced the arrival of your daddy's airplane and we went outside in the cold to watch it land. You two were so thrilled and seemed to really understand that your daddy was coming. After the soldiers got off the plane, we went back inside to see the formation march into the hangar. We found your daddy on the end of the formation and Charlie had a hard time not running right for him. I explained that we had to wait for the formation to break apart before we hug daddy. As soon as that happened, you took off toward him and as he bent down to hug you, he fell over at your impact. I caught up holding Livi and dropped to the ground to hug him as well. We were the only family sitting on the floor crying and hugging....so happy.

Thankfully he had a couple weeks off to reconnect with us. We went to an indoor pool, did some yard work, and just played at the house. I am so pleased with how well you girls have taken back to your sweet daddy after 6 months away. You are so resilient!

Everyday Now

Hi girls,

I enjoy your company each and every day. There hasn't been a day that I dread starting with you two...I can honestly and thankfully say that. The routine days, the nothing days, the sick days, the exciting days, even the everything goes wrong days...blessed, so blessed.

Today we got ready for a busy Tuesday...drop off at preschool, workout, coach, grocery store, shower, pick up from preschool, play outside, prep dinner, gymnastics, dinner, baths, playtime, books, bedtime. On the way out the door, Livi got sick. "Seriously!? We just got well!" My mind started reeling with the days plans and what to do. I decided to just stop, cancel everything and take a day with Livi. I had my CrossFit class covered by a fellow coach. Because you seemed like your normal self, no fever, happy...I decided to take a chance and still take Charlie to school. You and I got back in the car with no other episodes and started to head home. You started asking, "Char char? Char char?" You must have asked me this a total of 5 times in our 4 hours together. Thankfully you never got sick again and you snacked on some crackers before we laid down in my bed together. We had never taken a nap together so I was interested to see how it went. I was pleased when you laid your sweet head down next to mine, got really still, and your heavy eyes started to close. I started to think of the workout I was missing, the ladies in my class who would wonder where I was. I pushed those thoughts away, watched you fall asleep, and even caught a nap myself. After picking up Charlie from school, we went on a walk in the neighborhood and even made it to gymnastics since Livi felt fine the rest of the day. Charlie, you absolutely love wearing your leotards, spinning, running, bouncing. You loved the one you wore this day especially, because of its attached skirt. You are such a learner in everything you do. Very thoughtful, compliant, and brave. Your teachers and coaches enjoy your teachability.

Christmas catch up

Goodness time has gotten away from me. Here it is January and I'm by myself to reflect. We had a warm, relaxing, fun Christmas despite your daddy being away from us.

On the 19th, we packed up Christmas and traveled to Chrissy and Poppie's house and then Gma and Papa's house. In all, we spent 2 amazing weeks with family. You girls can typically be shy...even in places that you regularly visit, like the gym or church. But I was so pleased to see you two open right up to great grandparents, grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunts, and friends that you either never met or don't remember meeting. We shared a room most of the time and you did fabulously. It was actually pretty sweet how you two talked to each other when you woke up from a nap. O-"Shaa Shaa..." C- "What is it Livi?"

You two were completely spoiled with wonderful gifts from everyone. But you both took it slow opening and exploring each one before moving on to the next. I was so proud of how respectful and kind you were to each other and to others. Apparently we needed this visit more than any of the three of us knew. Charlie, you're already asking when we are going back. What blessed memories we have.

Charlotte's First Dentist Visit

Big girl, you did so good!! You had your first visit to the dentist today. You are always very interested in what is going to happen in a new situation. I explained what I thought might happen and you weren't scared at all. The sweet hygienist counted your teeth and you have 17! She also cleaned them with the "tickly" toothbrush and you chose watermelon toothpaste. The hygienist and dentist explained very thing they were doing and you were very agreeable. I was so proud of how brave you were! You asked me for several days afterwards if your teeth were still clean. Now you brush your teeth "like the dentist told you".

Little Girl Charlotte

You are really growing into a fun and sweet little girl. Today you showed that to me in a couple of ways. You experienced your first gymnastics class yesterday and fit in like a fish in water. Olivia and I got to watch you through the glass in the parent watch room. The class was one hour and you did so much in that time. I was so proud of how you listened and tried everything your coaches taught you. It seemed as if you had been in the class for months. You were a little concerned about not having a leotard for your first class and was awed by the sparkly uniforms hanging in the lobby. Later that day, a friend brought you one that her girls had grown out of. It's a great start but you very politely requested a pink one next time we got one. I think I am as excited as you are to attend class every week!

Another milestone of every little girl's life is telling your first secret. I thankful you wanted to tell me. Later that same day, you came up to me and said you had a secret for me. I immediately got excited because I'd been waiting for this moment. You cupped your hands, breathed into my ear, and loudly whispered, "Did you know that I love you and God loves you and daddy loves you?" You are one of the reasons I feel so loved each and every day. You are such a blessing to everyone who knows you, especially your daddy and me.

A Little Thanksgiving

While this years Thanksgiving didn't include your daddy at our table, it was a happy one nonetheless. Your sweet Chrissy and Poppie drove up to visit us for a week. We got lots of projects done around the house...some necessary, some fun. The highlight was the big red ball! Poppie took it to the tire shop to blow it up and Charlie, you took to immediately! You run and dive into it with joy. Sometimes you just lay in there and pretend you're sleeping or that you're a mermaid. Other times you roll the ball around the yard. Olivia has touched the ball but will not get inside it yet. We also went to Christmas on the Cumberland to see the beautiful Christmas lights along the river.

When it came to Thanksgiving dinner, we didn't want to overdo it. We have all been eating healthy for quite some time now and knew the feeling we get when we out junk in our bodies. We had turkey, broccoli casserole, cauliflower "mashed potatoes", cranberry sauce, sweet potato pie, and apple crisp. Charlotte's favorite was the cranberry sauce. You ate it by the spoonful after you drug all of your turkey through it. Olivia chowed down on the big turkey leg.

I love that with a little extra effort and some loving family members, we can make the best of holidays with your daddy away. We of course got to talk to him a few times. He got lots of good food with his friends in Afghanistan. But he sure misses being with us.

Dancing Olivia

We got this silly Elmo toy from a friend as a hand me down. You girls have loved playing with it! Charlotte, you enjoy taking care of him when he falls down. When you pick him up he says that you're his best friend. I think you like that. Olivia, Elmo makes you laugh...a lot. He was the first thing you wanted to play with when we came downstairs this morning. Check out the dance moves and pure joy!