Thank Ya ~ W!
We will miss President George W. Bush in office. I remember going to his convention back in 2000. Austin was just a baby. I still have the onesie that he signed. What a GREAT 8 years! Thank you for the raise to military members every year....that one we truly appreciate! Thank you for pushing thru re-enlistment bonus for military....that one was perfect timing! Thank you for SUPPORTING the military in every endeavor. You backed our family and we will always be appreciative to you. We were proud to have you bring back morals and strength to the White House. We will miss you!

Not much of a blogger - I guess

Well my last post was almost a year ago. I guess I am not much of a blogger. I just finished reading my siblings blogs. They have given me new found inspiration to blog. Lets sum up a year. We re-enlisted in the Navy last January. Carl was deployed from January to March. He was able to take 30 days of leave before reporting to his new ship. It was a GREAT 30 days! We LOVE being together.

He reported to the ship Monday morning only to learn they had deployed the day before! He had to deploy that Saturday morning for 6 months. It was really hard to accept. We made the best of it. We took the boys to Disneyland Friday. We played ALL day and drove home at about midnight. Carl and I stayed up all night. We had to take him to the airport at 5am. I must say I am not a fan of airport parking lots or ship piers.

I decided to make the best of things. The boys and I split the time up. We had 2 months till Austin was out of school. Then we got to spend (almost) 2 full months in Utah with Grandma and Grandpa. It was a blast being so close to family. I was able to see my sister all the time. Visit and have outings again with my Grandma. Play games with my brother. Do all the fun family gatherings we had missed so very much.

We went fishing, "camping"(in a cabin), shopping. Visited a GREAT waterpark with Scott and Tyler. We saw parades Utah style, went to a Derbie and a Rodeo. The boys enrolled in swim lessons. Also their cousins came down to Utah twice to play. Austin signed several items off for his wolf badge which he received when we returned home. All in all our summer was great. I have realized how much I ADORE being close to family. I feel blessed to have them in my life.

The end of our trip I kidnapped my Mom. She travelled back with us and spent about 2 weeks. We LOVED having her with us. We were able to visit Legoland with her. It was fun.

Once we got back home we only had 8 weeks till Carl came home. I must say I have gotten very good at counting down since we have joined the Navy. I also find that time is going to pass by no matter what. I have no control over that. What I DO have control over is how I pass the time. I find being positive and looking for the positive keeps life much sweeter. Everyone has hardships and joys in life. I choose to look for the joys.

Finally November had come. Austin was able to meet the ship in Camp Pendleton (about 45min away) and "ride" it home with his Daddy. He was able to spend the night with Carl on the ship. Austin was thrilled and I was so jealous.

Braden and I met the ship on a rainy morning. My make-up had run, my nylons were soaked and we ended up waiting in the car. I could have cared less! The ship started to let sailors off. Braden and I jumped out of the car. I whipped my heels off, picked up Braden and ran toward the end of the pier to Carl's ship. As we arrived at the waiting area I stood their w/every nerve ending on fire...... waiting.

I think we waited a couple of minutes till I could see Carl walking thru the crowd. Austin was at his side. Braden was looking at every sailor. He would look at their face. Once he realized it wasn't his Dad he would scan the crowd of sailors again. Carl walked up to us while Braden was studying him. Carl said "Hi, Braden!" Braden just lunged out of my arms to his Daddy. Braden kissed him on his cheek. It is a memory I will treasure always. Braden from that point till he went to bed that night was his Daddy's shadow.

Well I should post this mini novel. I will try to post again before the year is up...ha.