It's Easy to be Proud

Today it feels easy to be proud.  I'm thankful for the taste of sacrifice that having been a military family has given us and more thankful that the sacrifice has never been too much to bear.  For us it has meant goodbyes, tears, missed birthdays, anniversary's, Christmas' and occasionally trying to explain to a toddler why their daddy can't hold them.  For others it has meant much more and for some it has meant giving everything.  I realize what we have given is very small compared to others that have walked this road.  I also know that I wouldn't trade what we've been through in the past eight years for anything.  Hard moments have allowed us the realization of how much we really mean to each other.  I have an appreciation for Nate and for family that I don't think I could have manifested otherwise.  There is nothing quite like a really good homecoming.

As we begin a new chapter and Nate transitions out of the military he will still be "serving" in the reserves and I'm proud of that.  He feels a commitment to our Country that I admire.  Maybe loving America is something that just gets in your blood...once it's there it's hard to ignore.  I love this country I really do.  I think sometimes I wonder why people don't walk around with goofy smiles plastered all over there faces.  We really are blessed to live in such a wonderful place.  

I honestly didn't even realize today was Veteran's Day but it seems fitting now that this morning Nate gave us something else to be proud of by finishing his first half marathon.  The girls and I got up bright and early to go cheer him on...

After fighting through the crowds I finally found a spot where Carter could get high enough to watch him cross the finish line (we added a "DAD" to their Just DO It shirts)...

After about 10 minutes we saw him come running by.  I was so surprised to find myself tearing up!  I knew he had worked really hard and it was great to see him accomplish something that he's wanted to do for a while now...

He told me recently that every time he turns onto our street after a long run he sees a bumper sticker on a parked car that says "RUN" and it motivates him so I copied it onto a sign for the girls to hold...

Carter also made a sign...

And wrote a note to "The Fastest Daddy in the Whole World"...

We were all very proud of our favorite guy...

Way to go Nate.  You did it!

So proud of you today and everyday (I mean it).  

Also proud of these guy's who have served, Nate's Grandpa Jack...

My Mom's dad Cliff...

My dad's Dad Don...

My brother Clint (on the right)...

And my sister in law Jenny's brother Joey who is currently serving...

Happy Veteran's Day!

Halloween Happenings

Halloween was a happy one this year.  Nate and I joined forces with Kim and Bryan to throw our first annual "Spooktacular" costume party...

I can't remember the last time I really dressed up (before and after's) and it was so fun...

Our friends were in rare form and we had a blast...

After the grownups had their fun it was time to bust out the costumes one more time for a little trick or treating...  

Nate had been out of town but made it back just in the nick of time... 

Emerson couldn't wait to get going...

They hit the streets with one thing on their minds...

CANDY!

But a funny thing happened when the moment of truth arrived... 

Emerson turned into a scaredy cat...

Never fear, after a realizing kind strangers were going to fill her basket with candy she was much happier...

It was one of those great family nights that I want to really remember...

We were with some of our favorite people...

And as I watched Emerson sprint from door to door as fast as her little legs could carry her I just want to be sure and not forget a minute of her...

I know all to well that little kitty's grow up way too fast...

Later the girls passed out candy to other little monsters...

 And ate their treats as fast a possible...

It was a good night...

And the girls were even sweet enough to share their candy with dear old mom and dad (ok so they were asleep but won't they don't know won't hurt them)...

With Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving on the way it's officially feeling like fall.  I'm loving it...

Happy Wednesday!

The Candidate

It seems like these past few weeks everybody's asking the same question, who are you voting for?  The Presidential Race is in full swing and most people have either Mitt or Obama on the brain.  We have been getting into the campaign spirit around here but with a different candidate in mind after Carter came home from school last week excited about running for Student Council.

She spent some time this weekend whipping out a campaign poster.  We were hard pressed for something that rhymed with Carter (other than the obvious Farter :) so she opted for the more acceptable albeit simple "VOTE FOR CARTER!"...

She delivered it to her classroom early in the week and was set to present a speech on Friday.  Halfway through the week she took a break from the campaign trail to participate in her schools "Literary Pumpkin Contest".  I must admit I tried and tried to convince her that "Oh the Places You'll Go" would be the perfect book to tackle in pumpkin form but she insisted on "Rainbow Fish"...

I'll admit I was reluctant because turning pumpkins into fish seemed, well...hard.  But in the end we came up with a concept that involved about 100 push pins and a lot of felt and a little paint and well, she was right to pick "Rainbow Fish" because she won.  You sure showed me Carter :)...

After a brief hiatus she was back to campaigning or at least preparing for her speech.  She was given the option of presenting it in person or creating a commercial for the class on DVD.  Her dad encouraged her to go the in person route thinking that would be more impressive but Carter went her own route again and decided she would rather do something silly and fun. We came up with a video concept that she thought would share some of her favorite things and make her classmates laugh.  She insisted Nate and I wear clown wigs so we traded in all of our cool points in hopes of making first graders giggle...


In the end it was worth the potential embarrassment and she was elected....   

And just in case your wondering who Carter endorses for President she's Obama all the way.  Why you might ask?  Well according to her it's because "I know him better."  Hey that works!  If you haven't voted yet I'll see you Tuesday at the polls.  At the risk of public ridicule I'm voting for the first time ever this year.  I know cue the harsh criticism but I'm happy to be getting in the game!