At the end of the day...

From the time when Nathan and I got married I have always loved that moment at the end of the day when he would walk in the door and be "home". I think after Carter was born I looked forward to that hour with new anticipation. It meant help had arrived, my best friend was there to talk to, and would share in the little moments for the rest of the evening.

Every time Nate leaves it is quite an adjustment. I find that instead of looking forward to the end of the day, I dread it. The end of the day is just that...there is no one coming home, no hug and a kiss to look forward to, no one to love on Carter with a fresh perspective, no holding hands on the couch as we watch a little TV. It's always hard for a while, but the mind is a very interesting thing and it does adjust.

Nate's been gone a little over 7 weeks, hopefully just a few more to go. But, I realized as I was cleaning up after dinner tonight this is the point in his absence I hate. It is the point where I no longer even imagine that he might just come strolling through the front door. The moment comes and goes and I rarely notice. I am "used to" him being gone, whatever that means. This makes me sad. It makes me feel like somehow I am not doing him justice by missing him enough. I know that probably sounds silly, it feels silly as I type it.

I'm ready to have him back. I'm ready to get "used to" him being here again. That is the fun part. And I know that although I adjust so I can function happily while he is away, Nate is never far from my heart nor I from his. I think that is what matters most.

Transformation

Carter and I were sitting on the couch a little while ago. I was talking to my mom on the phone and she was messing with my feet. I saw her intently start to look at the tops of them and I knew what was coming. You see I, like most women, shave my legs and feet. However, when your husband is away, or you're pregnant, or whatever excuse floats your boat these things sometimes slip through the cracks. The tops of my feet just happen to be one of those things. This is something most of the people I encounter on a day to day basis would never notice, but lucky for me nothing slips by Carter. She looked at me and said...

"Mom (and this was a serious look and tone I was getting), you are turning into a dad."

With Nate not around I knew it was only a matter of time...I guess my transformation is complete.

Monday Carter Edition #35~The only thing worse...

The only thing worse than morning sickness (or in my case afternoon/evening sickness) is your toddler having a stomach bug at the same time. And while Monday Carter is officially on the mend, we spent the better part of our weekend in an unpleasant place. I won't elaborate, every mom had been there, but it wasn't fun and I bawled and basked in self pity at least once. Luckily we made it out of our house for a couple of hours today which does wonders for your frame of mind. And along the lines of how this whole "sickness" started I thought I would share an outing from last week. It was Friday and we had said farewell to our friends and need a pick me up so I offered to take Carter and a friend to McDonald's for lunch. This is Carter and her good friend Lydia...

And like I said we headed for McDonald's...good old Mickey D's and their Pitri Dish of a playground, I have a feeling that may have played a part in how I spent the better part of my weekend. But, at the time it was fun for all...

These grown up little girls ate at their very own little table and had a fabulous time...

Ronald, I'm so glad you make children around the world happy, but do you think it would kill you to sanitize, and I mean really sanitize every once and a while?? Just a thought.

Dear Daddy~Let the countdown officially begin! Three weeks from today I hope you are almost home. I asked mommy how many more years you were going to be gone because it feels like FOREVER!! I love you so much!! MISS YOU!

XOXO Carter

Friends

"I wonder what Piglet is doing," thought Pooh.

"I wish I were there to be doing it too."

-Winnie the Pooh

I'm a friend for life kinda' gal. When I was a little girl making friends did not always come easily for me, and maybe it's for that reason that I held on tight to the ones I had. I think as time went on I got better and better, but truth be told I've always been just a little on the shy side around new people. For all these reasons I think God having Nate join the military was kinda' like a big joke on me. All the things that have made me uncomfortable most of my life were suddenly completely unavoidable. Moving, making new friends, being in new places were all just a part of the new routine. It stretched me, challenged me, it was hard on me and in the process it made me better and brought me closer to God. He gifted me with things I didn't think were possible, one of those being friends. We moved to new places knowing we wouldn't be there long and at times I just wrote off making friends, thinking there just wasn't enough time...but I was always pleasantly surprised. Almost everywhere we have lived I have left with at least a couple of friends that I know will be a part of our lives forever (even if it's just by blog or email!)

When we moved here two and a half years ago I was pretty down in the dumps. We were leaving behind some of the best friends we'd made in a while and I was feeling pretty bummed about the pattern of loving and leaving that was evolving in our life. But, I didn't have long to feel sorry for myself because we had new friends waiting right around the corner. Janelle welcomed me to Oak Harbor with open arms (she has often said she didn't give me a choice as to whether or not we would be friends) but I am so glad for that!! Carter left behind her first real friend in Jacksonville but had a couple of new buddies to quickly get to know when we arrived here. Sadly, they hit the road today for a new adventure. But, we are realizing goodbyes come with the territory in this military lifestyle and it is all just part of the game. Carter got to spend the afternoon with Cooper yesterday, I know she'll miss her buddy, they've done quite a bit of growing up together. Carter and Cooper 2007...

and 2009...

We also got to have a girl's night out for dinner with Janelle...

What can I say, other than the OH just won't be the same without you! As hard as saying goodbye can be I am so thankful for all the friends God has placed along our path as we travel this road. You're never far from my mind...

Death by Sparkler

Picking up where my last Fourth of July post left off...we were enjoying a fabulous day in the backyard, after Carter spent some time in the sprinkler she opened up her own beauty shop. Leslie was the perfect customer...

Beauty parlor to chef in no time flat...Roxi, Carter and Leslie making the crust for our homemade blackberry cobbler (can you say YUM)...

We cooked out, ate a delicious dinner, and then the waiting began. Unfortunately when you live in the great Northwest it doesn't get dark until about 10 o'clock at night...that's a looooooong time for a little girl who is three to have to be patient for fireworks...

Luckily we had some sparklers to keep us occupied...

The guy promised me they were "kid friendly" but at times they were a little more like torch shooting flame throwers! You can't hear her very well in this video, but at some point Carter asks me, "Mom, are you going to die?" Death by sparkler, that might be a new one...

I think Roxi and Carter were secretly having a contest to see who could have more fun...

Pops didn't want to be left out and got in on the action too...

Ahhh, the joys of being three...

We were two very lucky girls to be surrounded by so much love...

I was also so glad that a couple of my friends were able to spend the evening with us too, it just made it that much more special! Thanks so much for hanging out with us Whitney (and Kylie not pictured) and Lara...

Finally, after waiting and waiting and waiting...the FIREWORKS finally began!



And I was sweetly serenaded by my favorite little voice singing Happy Birthday to America over and over again...my heart melts...



It was a wonderful show...the perfect night really, well, almost. I was missing my best friend, if you had been there Nate it would have been complete. Oh, and who knew, but it looks like the Fourth brings out Pops' inner princess...



I love seeing this side of my dad. He sometimes surprises me, and it didn't stop with the crown. The next day after grabbing dinner (and a couple of photos of Carter with some of her favorite people) first Roxi and Pops...



Then Laynce and Leslie...

My dad (and I think Roxi had a little something to do with it) decided we should make a stop at the local carnival. Carter couldn't have been happier. First up a ride on the ferris wheel...

Are my parents cute or what??

Roxi isn't too sure about heights, but apparently doesn't have a problem with spinning so she and Carter headed for the "Dragons Belly"...

Next I took her for a turn on the Wacky Worm aka Kiddie Coaster...she has become quite the lover of rides and was having such a great time! Please note both her arms (which are both raised)...

All smiles (just remember that later)...

Future pilots have to start their training somewhere...this little girl wants to fly just like her daddy...

A quick salute and we're off...

I'll be her co-pilot any day...

Our last stop was a ride on the super slide...

I had tried to prepare my munchkin that all good things must come to an end, but unfortunately when you're three that's a hard lesson to learn...

Remember earlier when I said to "remember her smile for later"? Well, that's because of this...

What a sad photo to end our post! But, on a happier note, this was one heck of a Fourth of July. It meant the world to me to have friends and family to share our weekend with, it definitely helped soften the sting of Nate's absence for yet another holiday. I realized we've spent this one apart for the past three years. Next year babe...fireworks and a kiss will be ours!!

You Put the Lime in the Coconut~11 Weeks

Well, baby is at a whopping 11 weeks today. Apparently looking a lot like a lime, and to continue with the illustration, a lime inside a coconut is actually what I picture...
I've been feeling better off and on throughout the last week and actually thought maybe, just maybe I was done being sick...but then last night I was proven wrong so DARN I guess it's not quite over yet, but maybe close!! In other baby news, Carter is now convinced she is having a baby brother. Apparently her wishes for a sister have diminished as she has come to the realization that it would mean having TWO girls in our family, and she seems to think one (being her) is enough. This could be interesting. Regardless I know she is going to be a fabulous big sister. This week we'll be lovin' our little lime!

Monday Carter Edition #34~What a Poser

We've had Fourth of July fun galore around here! I don't have time to do it justice because everyone is headed back to TX today, but I'll get around to it soon. Monday Carter is still catching a little beauty rest as I type so she's not quite ready to start her day yet. I'm only up because I was pulled out of my peaceful sleep by the sound of the garbage truck quickly approaching. Not a good feeling when you forgot to put your trash out and you've had a Fourth of July bash over the weekend!! Needless to say they now know what I look like in my Pajamas. Perfect. Anyway, I know today will be a fun little Monday. Carter is spending the day with friends and I am headed to Seattle to show off a few sites and deliver our guests to the airport. I can't wait to post on all our fun, but just thought I would leave you with these for now. I'm not sure where Carter picked up these poses, but I think it's safe to say she didn't get these from her mom...

The weather was warm and it made the afternoon perfect for spending a little time with the sprinkler...

More on Fourth of July soon, we're off to Seattle!