Miss You, Miss you...Wish I Could KISS You!

HAPPY

NEW YEAR
BABY!!! (I'll be kissing you SOON!!)

Monday Carter Edition #9

Monday Carter is back on the road and her Momma is back to work!! We are in Midland for the last phase of our "Tour of Texas". I am working for my mom and Carter will be spending some more time with sweet Miss Brooke. Brooke is unavailable for a few days and so Carter is getting some quality time with one of our favorite people, Miss Leslie!! Today their adventures included a trip to the "duck beach" (according to Carter) and the park where they played hide and go seek. Leslie is an excellent "Grandma in training", I think her secret is the sweet tea! I'm so thankful to have such wonderful people in our lives! Unfortunately I forgot to send the camera along for their excursions, but I'll keep that in mind for tomorrow! So, here is a photo of Monday Carter last night, she keeps us on our toes and is ALWAYS good for a laugh. She was impersonating Roxi (who she just adores) while reading a book...

Dear Daddy~YAY!!! The countdown is officially on...only 2 more Monday's until I get to see you, I couldn't be more excited! I hope the days fly by for you, remember a BIG kiss and a BIG hug from me are waiting right around the corner! I couldn't love you more. XOXO Carter

Gotta' See...

We made it a family affair at the local drive in...

and had SO much FUN!

The End

Comfort and Joy

This Christmas was hard. It was full of joy, and smiles, and love, fun, and memories and family...and in spite of it all it was impossible to overlook the fact that the love of my life was not here.

The goal was simple, enjoy it, make the most of it, make things special for Carter...and I'm hopeful that I succeeded. But, that did not change the fact that Nate was not here. I didn't think about it much really, I couldn't. On a day when there aren't many people who are not sitting with the ones they love my sweet husband chatted with us via web cam from what can best be described as the food court in the mall. Pretty cozy huh? I'm not looking for sympathy. Really. His job and the choice he has made make him incredibly happy. This was just one of those day's when it didn't exactly feel worth it. I couldn't help the overwhelmingly selfish desire that kept creeping in...I very much wanted him home.

The last two years have been a lot like a marathon...a long race and there is beginning to be a slight glimpse of light at the end of the tunnel. We are 2/3 of the way done with this time of separations. We have grown, we have endured, we will finish the race. I cannot begin to understand what others face in the various paths of military life. I only know that for me the constant pace of home again, gone again, home again, gone again has been a challenge. I am tired. I am tired of feeling like every time my husband comes home we are on a vacation. Knowing that in a few short months (or sometimes weeks) he will be gone again. I love what being a family, a day in day out sort of family, looks like. I sometimes wish for that. Sticking with the whole race analogy, I can only imagine that this is the part where some people feel like giving up...the end is in sight, but it's not exactly right around the corner. In the same way I'm sure once it is over you're not exactly all gung ho about signing up for the next one. I guess what I'm trying to say is I think the way I feel right now is pretty normal. I started this period of time fresh, motivated, charged...I'm not exactly in the same place right now, but I figure that is to be expected. The nice thing is, he'll be home soon. And, even though it's only for a little while...I will take it! Nothing brings me more comfort and joy than having my best friend here to share in the everyday.

So, in honor of his absence, we would like to do our best to share all he missed. Is Christmas with kids magical or what? Carter could you BE any more amazing? I love you little girl...thanks for bringing the cheer.

Dear Daddy~I sure do wish you could have been here for Christmas! Just a little while ago I looked at mom and said, "I wish daddy was here!" I wanted to tell you all about the fun things that we did, it was so great! First mom and I made Christmas cookies for Santa...

They sure were delicious...

And they were pretty too!

Then, I didn't want the reindeer to feel left out, so I made them some food too...

And guess what? It was just as tasty...

Abby even liked it!



We went out and sprinkled it on the front lawn...

Then we put out the cookies and milk for Santa...

And guess what!? While I was asleep, he CAME!!

Mom took these videos of me for you to see. I had to wake up Uncle Clint on my way to see if Santa came, I was SO excited and I really liked my stocking!

I can't wait to take lot's of pictures on my new camera...

And guess what!? Santa got me the doll I really wanted, and it's perfect because she is "sick" and I can use all the Doctor stuff you got me to make her well! So great huh!?

She is so cute, I just love being her mommy...

And guess what! That's not all! When I realized there were even more presents I got so excited I couldn't help bouncing up and down and clapping my hands!

Don't I look CUTE in my new robe!?

We all missed you A LOT...everyone say's to tell you HI!!!

Aunti Kimmi and Uncle John...

Uncle Clint...

And Roxi and Pops! And guess what else!? After we finished presents and some pretty great pancakes Roxi, Pops and Mommy took me to see The Tale of Despereaux, and Pops got me whatever I wanted from the concession stand...

As you can see, this made me very happy!

What a cute little mouse, and such a gentleman (I'm talking about Despereaux, not Pops, although he is a gentleman and he's cute too)...

After the movie we had dinner and then it was time for one of my favorite parts of the day! We all gathered around and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus, and Mommy let me blow out his candle for him!

It was a wonderful day, daddy, but, I missed you with all my little heart. I hope we never have to spend another Christmas without each other! I'm so glad you're coming home soon, hurry ok!? I love you! XOXO Carter

P.S. Mom thought these would make you laugh...

Rejoice!

Merry Christmas!

Twas' the Night Before Christmas...

Dear Santa,

My name is Nate and I am Carter's daddy. This Christmas I am not going to be able to be home because I am away on "det". I really miss my little girl and her mom! I was wondering if you could pay a special trip to see them and deliver some presents for me since I will not be able to be with them on Christmas day? Please tell them how much I miss them and can't wait to see them in a few weeks! Also, Carter really likes stories so if you have a story or book to read I think she might really like it.

Please tell my wife, Beth, that she brings Christmas magic to my life everyday- and that I love her!

Thanks so much Santa, be careful delivering all the kids their presents this year. Who knows if I am flying on Christmas Eve I might see you in the skies.

Nate

That's my husband for you...they just don't come any better than him. Apparently Santa received his letter and Carter and I received quite a holiday surprise. While we were getting ready to celebrate Christmas this past Sunday with my Mimi and Papa guess who showed up at the front door?! With a jolly Ho hO Ho he read my husbands sweet letter...Carter was awestruck and I was overwhelmed. Somehow Nate always knows exactly how to make things special, even when he is a million miles away.

The knock on the door happened so quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick...

His eyes, how they twinkled! His dimples how merry! His cheeks were like roses! His nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and the beard of his chin was as white as the snow...

He had a broad face and a little round belly, that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly...

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself...
A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread....

He spoke not a word; but went straight to his work...

But, I heard him exclaim...

As he "walked" out of sight...

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!

And he left behind one very happy little girl...

And a wife who knew she was loved and adored. For her heart was full of cannot be bought, the love of a family is the gift that she got...

Dear Nate...how do you do it? Your ability to make things magical is a gift! We will never forget this Christmas surprise, and while it could never begin to fill the void your absence creates, it brought fun and smiles and was exactly what we needed! My heart is FULL of love for you, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be able to say I am your wife. Thank you for loving me so well, it is the gift that keeps on giving the whole year long (sorry I just couldn't resist)! I love you baby, Merry Christmas! XOXO Beth

We're Serving it Up, Family Style!

Christmas that is. We had our first official Christmas celebration on Saturday with my mom's side of her family! I find myself loving the familiarity of what that means. These are people I have had Christmas with my whole life, there is something really cool about that. We've missed several in the last few years, living in different parts of the country sometimes makes seeing people a harder. But, it is always fun when we can all get together. We're all a little bigger now, but we can still muster up a game of knock out, where people act appalled if I managed to get them, saying things like, "I got put out by the MOM!" Oh the horror. The girls enjoyed an arm wrestling tournament, where my sister promptly kicked my rear. So I can still shoot a basketball, but can't claim strength as one of my strong suits (no pun intended). I also enjoyed snapping some pic's of everyone, which it feels like we sometimes forget to do...

Granny with all of her kids...

And all of her Grand kids...

Carter and her new friend Ryan...

Uncle Rick, Chad, and Kim...

Me and my momma....

Dad and Caitlin...

Uncle Rick, John, Me and Clint...

Carter and Sophie...

Kim and Aunt Michelle...

The arm wrestling extravaganza...

My rents...

Kim and John...

Clint and Jenny...

One family get together full of fun down and more to come! Merry Christmas!