Aydan's SOCCER game!

Aydan had his

1st Soccer Game

on Thursday night!

He was so stinkin' excited! He loved every single second of it! He didn't really know what he was doing, but he did enjoy himself! The first half hour is practice, and the last half hour is a game.

Here is our little athlete!

I hope I can get a good setting on my camera for this low-lit arena....grrr. The lens that I really need for this stuff is $1,600...a yeah...no.

He looks so big huh? He's growing up too fast! He is the youngest on his team. He's playing with a bunch of 6 year olds, so he looks like a little kid compared to them. It makes me feel like he IS still little even though, he growing too fast for my heart!

His team did a good-luck-cheer before the game....

and Aydan was like WHAT? He's so funny!

Here's a clip, Aydan has a Fohawk, so he's pretty easy to spot. He is also the kid who looks at his feet while he runs.

Oh, having Aydan be in sports is so much fun! It's good for him to get out and stretch those little legs! I really loved sports, and you all know JUSTIN did even more!

 (Speaking of that, Justin is re-living the Glory days in Iraq, playing flag football. He was the quarter back last night. He had 1 touch down, and 3 beautiful passes for 3 beautiful touchdowns. They were playing against the Reserves, and apparently they were talking a lot of smack. Justin's team beat them by 4 points! So it felt good to beat those cocky Reserve guys!)

It's going to be fun to watch our babies learn to be part of a team and grow a love of sports! It's just the beginning...cause the look on A's face as he ran around, was a look of "I'm so into this!"

My life is so full!

6 days and a wake up, until DADDY heads home!

Traceon's 2nd Eye Surgery!

Traceon Parker

has his 2nd eye surgery early Wednesday morning! We've had a long week...but we're hangin' in there.

I've been super nervous for awhile about this surgery. Mostly nervous that it's not going to work, and that Trace will have to go through yet another surgery! But I'm really hopeful and keep praying for my little guy.

Wednesday, Aunt Jen came with mommy to the Surgical Center; Trace in tow. I'm thankful she could come help me. We cried together and watch Grey's Anatomy and read magazines. She's good to have around!

Here is Trace and his mommy, before surgery!

Bed head! I like it...don't say a word!

Here is a glimpse of what a GREAT kid Trace is. He was(is) so happy! He didn't really like the yellow gown though...

He didn't enjoy this thing either....

Here is Little Boy Blue after surgery at about 8:00 in the morning! This surgery went a lot faster than the first. They got started at about 6:45a.m. and finished at 7:40a.m. The muscles that were worked on this surgery were the outside corner muscles in both of his eyes. They are smaller then the inside muscles that were worked on in Tra's 1st eye surgery.

He was making me sad...

Trace took a nap at the surgical center for about 45 mins and woke up and was DYING of thirst! He drank all of his sippy that I brought him, and a whole cup of apple juice that the nurse gave him! I asked him if he wanted to go home to see Aydan and he quickly perked up and replied, "Aydan!" "Aydan!" (With his eyes still slammed shut!) It was so cute! The nurse took his ivy out and we were out of there before 9a.m.!

This is him right after we got home. He was very hungry and mom spoiled him with fruit snacks and teddy grahams (his favorites)! He was talking and talking and eating and drinking and opening his eyes a little wider as the minutes went on. He was a very good snuggler! After about 45mins of being home he decided he wanted to RUN around and PLAY, which of course mom was a little un-easy about! It freaked me out to be honest! I really wanted to put his head in some kind of bubble. After a little while he settled down and rocked with me and we both fell asleep together in the Mammoth (our big squishy rocker)!

I know it's kinda gross, and sad, but his eyes are straight!

What a trooper is all I can say!

Big brother had a busy day as well! Great Grandpa and Grandma Aultman came from Pinedale, Wyoming to hang with Aydan. He had preschool in the morning, and went shopping with the g-g-parents! They took him everywhere and he got to eat lunch at Chuck A Rama! They got home at around 1:00p.m. My sweet Grandparents took really good care of us 3! They even cut down the bush (es) in the front where the nasty birds that were freaking me out were hanging out! I have Ornithophobia-Fear of Birds. I have it REAL bad too, so it has been nice to have the bush gone as well as those yucky things! Aydan got Traceon a little toy broom that sings, cause he loves his little brother and was very concerned for him! How sweet!

About this time, I noticed that Traceon's left eye sutures looked a little different from his right eye ones. So I immediately called the doc, and he had us come in! I thought that the sutures had slipped and that they needed to be re-stitched. But, we went in and the doc said they were just stretching, which was fine as long as they didn't stretch anymore. Needless to say, Trace was on HIGH-ALERT the rest of the day and night. I swear my heart raced every 5 mins! Trace was running around playing, and giggling, like he didn't go through anything! Our kids are tough cookies for sure! I was exhausted by the time 9p.m. came!

This is Traceon this morning eating some breakfast. His eyes are still straight today, so I'm hopeful that he'll make it through to have straight eyes for good here soon! But, I'm still waiting...prepared for otherwise.

I've noticed something I didn't notice EVER before about Traceon's eyes after this surgery. He is using them together...shifting them together, using both of them together! Which is amazing, but looks weird to me, because his eyes have never worked like that before. So...it needs to stay that way, as his eyes get stronger and heal!

Video's!

Here are some really cute video's! I was just going to send them to Justin, but why not have everyone enjoy them?

This one is of Aydan playing on the beach in Oregon the summer of 2009. It was his first time stickin' those cute little toes into the Pacific Ocean! In this video his says his "I want to hold you!" Ahhhh!

This is Aydan at swimming lessons this past February. He's fantastic at the backfloat!

I had a really funny one of Traceon, but it's not uploading....: (

Frustrated

I am feeling a LOT frustrated, angry, and annoyed. And I need to get it out so I'm talking to my people again.

Most of you know that my wonderful husband is serving our country over in Bagdad, Iraq, for a country that he loves very much. In return for his HUGE sacrifice guess what...they cut the troops pay in HALF today! For the past week I have been praying and praying for this not to happen, and today it did. I've been praying for all the families. I thought it would be no pay at all, so I guess it's not as bad as it could be. It is shameful that our fellow leaders can't get our country's money in order, yet they get full pay not matter what. Yeah...and Obama is raising 1 BILLION dollars for his campaign! Seriously....? What have you done NOBAMA!

It hurts me as an American Army Wife, with husband at war to see the government whom we're supposed to trust turn their backs a little just so they can swallow in media, and whom are so consumed with power instead of leadership!

I feel betrayed in a way.

Here I sit, day after day, night after night, in a deep dark pain. A pain I wish would go away.

I miss him.

I MISS him.

We made a decision for him to go. This is his path. This was supposed to be a brilliant part of his life.

Now it has turned into an embarrassing episode of how screwed up our government is.

I HATE this.

I hate that he has to be away from us. And it makes it SO much more worse when you are starting to really dought the leadership and officials.

I miss Justin. I'm bitter. I have been before this whole joke errupted.

Couples snuggling, giving quick whistful pecks on the cheek, or offering words of encouragement as their child throws a fit in public, make me feel sorry for myself.

I miss my buddy.

I haven't been two shakes away from him since I was 16 years old.

I miss having dates at home. You know, when the kids are all snuggled up in bed, and you decided to whip out a game, bake cookies, soak in a bubble bath, or just talk...amongst other "private" things.

I miss foot rubs. I miss him playing with my hair. I miss dancing like a crazy person to the Mexican radio station. I miss holding his hand. I miss the crazy look in his eye when he is stressed, and watching it go away as I tell him what a fantastic person he is, and how proud I am of him. I miss how happy he is when he's working on a project. I miss watching him get ready, and how much he messes with his hair, and when he finally gives up because I'm giggling in the corner. Because to me, it looks good ALL THE TIME.

I miss watching him with our boys. I miss the way Aydan looks at him. Like daddy is a superhero. I miss tickle time. And monster time.

I miss making memories with him.

I even miss all the things that DRIVE ME CRAZY about him.

Like seeing his wet flat footed foot prints in the bathroom rug, and then steping on the wetness while headed to the toilet.

His CRAZY music.

How he sneaks peeks and touches...

He gets to come home in 14 days! Whahoo! I know this, and I know how good it's going to feel, but I'm annoyed.

He has to go back. He can't stay, and that makes me hostile.

I knew that I would have a breaking point during this deployment, and I think I've finally reached it. I'm done.

It's going to take a lot of will power to push through, without being a grouch all day, everyday.

SUN SHINE please come soon, and help me.

As Justin is here, I want to count the days we spend together, and not the days till he has to go back. Don't be mad if there is a giant DO NOT DISTURB sign on our front door, or that we don't answer our phones. We get first dibs. I would prefer ALL dibs, but I'm trying not to be selfish. ;)

So pray for the military families today.

For all you military families out there, know that a girl from little old Idaho, knelt on her knees and prayed her hardest for you, because I'm a believer, and I believe that the trials God gives us, are only intended to make us stronger. I pray that you take your kids in your arms, kiss them on their sweet little heads, and feel God's grace, and remember you're not alone.


FYI- Check out the tabs at the top of the blog...lots of stuff to look at!

A Much Needed Weekend!

Hello everyone! We had a fabulous weekend, hope you all did too! We went to Portland to visit Grandma Chris and Papa Dennis! It was so much fun, and much needed! I desperately needed some mom and sister time...and the little boys needed some Grandma and Aunt time!

Here are the boys all ready to go!

The boys and I took off for Boise (where my sister Melanie lives, and where our plane to Portland was taking off from) on Wednesday afternoon, after Aydan had preschool. The boys did better than I ever imagined! Trace fell asleep right away and slept for about an hour and a half. As he was waking up Aydan fell asleep and slept for an hour and a half. The last hour we sangs songs along with our trusty radio, and ate snacks!

Here they are in the Truck!

When we finally made it to Boise we went and got Aunt Melanie from her work and took her to dinner at Red Robin. After dinner we dropped Mel off back at work and the boys and I headed to Hobby Lobby! I instantly fell head over heels for the store and wanted to buy everything, but I refrained to a few things I needed for a few projects that are brewing in my head! Then we headed to Melanie's apartment! The boys destroyed it in about 3.5 minutes and then crashed.

Thursday morning Aunt Melanie made banana french toast and we headed to the airport! Mel's boyfriend Ryan dropped us off, which was really helpful because we had to check both the boys' car seat's! Trace fell asleep during take-off and slept the entire hour flight. Aydan read books, had a Sprite, and downed 3 bags of peanuts! When we got to Portland we went straight to Grandma Chris's house and had lunch!

It was nice outside so we totally went on a walk around the neighborhood! I LOVE all the old house's right by where my mom live's! They're like cute little cottages! I didn't bring my camera along that trip...but don't worry...I made up for it later on the trip! We walked around the Gypsy graveyard that my mom looks out at everyday from her living room window. There was some really old graves there... and I said it's a Gypsy grave yard because there apparently is a lot of Gypsy people burried there. My mom says there's occasionally a bottle of wine by some graves. Pretty neat. That night after dinner we went for frozen yogurt at Yo Choice, which is in my mom's building.

Here are the boy's enjoying...

The boys hangin' out in the hotel room, watching toons, and waiting for Mom and Aunt Melanie to get ready!

That morning was busy. We went to Michael's to pick out BEADS for our lastest obsession...jewery making! Then we went to a huge shoe store...and bought lots of new summer shoes! Yay! The little ones were tired and took a nap soon after we got back to Grandma's house! Aren't they so cute, all snuggled together!

Then we went to a  park we like near by! The kids had a blast! Little Trace was so excited! I love the first summer that they can finally run around! It's like a brand new world for them and it makes them so excited and happy! So cute! Aydan was totally a big bro and showed Trace how the playground works!

He wasn't quite sure about the swings at first...look at that face!

Then he got to liking them..and even threw out some giggles!

With a white-nuckle grip on the handle! Ha! Ha!

I totally went crazy on the SPRING pictures...enjoy!

ACCORN LIDS!

A GIANT TREE!

Aydan got to do some crafts too! Here he is working on some....

We went out to dinner down the street at NoHo's. It's Hawaiian, and it's delicious! Trace double fisted desert!

We went to the grocery store breifly the next morning and the kids HAD to ride in the biggest-pain-in-the-butt-cart-to-push...I mean... fun car!

Aydan with his finished project! A catipillar!

And a Spider!

Aydan got to dye Easter Eggs too!

Trace needed a nap...

But he helped Grandma make lunch instead...

Finished EGGS!

That afternoon we went to see HOP...so cute!

The next morning we went shopping at the mall! Then Melanie and I went on another walk through the neighborhood, and we brought Trace, while Aydan got some alone time at the park with Grandma!

Green grass!

These Pretty in Purple flowers are Hyacinthus!

A weird breed of a Daffodil!

Trace after the walk...

                                                         I made collages of my favorites...

MAGNOLIA'S

DAFFODIL'S

CHERRY BLOSSOM'S

Monday morning we headed home! The boys did awesome all the way home too! Such a relief to have good kids when you go on trips!

We had so much fun and needed to have a weekend with some of our favorite gals! Thanks Mom and Dennis!

Now...we have such a busy next few weeks! Soccer, Traceon's eye surgery, and Daddy's coming home for 15 days! Yeeeeeeeeee! I'm going to try to count the days we spend together, and not the days till he has to go back!