Look Mom, I found something too!

Expedition

What every good explorer needs - boots!

The Treasure

Boating

We spent a few hours on the Blackwater River today. We rented a boat with some friends. The kids had a fabulous time. Paytons favorite part was playing in the water at the dock AFTER the boating was done. Wyatt had a blast. He loved the boat, loved the water. Best of all, he loved taking the life vest off! As for me, my favorite part was my husband coming to the conclusion that renting a boat is better than buying one. Yes!

Getting the Motor Going

Uncle Bill jokes that Wyatt has to get his motor going. He doesn't run without swinging that arm! He has done it since he was walking with your finger. I just love it. Vvvrrmmm Vvvrrrmmm Y......

A Borrowed Post

I borrowed this post from a good friend. (I hope you don't mind Barb) It is so appropriate I had to share.

What is a military wife?They may look different and each is wonderfully unique. But this they have in common.They have THIS IN COMMON!lots of moving---movingmovingmoving far from homemoving two cars, three kids and one dog----all riding with HER of coursemoving sofas to basements because they won't go in THIS housemoving curtains that won't fitmoving jobs and certifications and professional development hoursmoving away from friends moving toward new friendsmoving her most important luggage; her trunk full of memoriesoften waiting-waiting,waiting,waiting for housing; waiting for orders; waitingfor deployment; waiting for reunion; waiting for phones calls; waiting for the new curtains to arrive; waiting for him to come home for dinner.They call her 'military dependent', but she knows better: she can balance a checkbook handle the yard work, fix a noisy toilet. She is intimately familiar with drywall, anchors, and toggle bolts.She can file the taxes, sell a house, buy a car, or set up a move, ----all with ONE Power of Attorney.She welcomes neighbors that don't welcome her.Reinvents her career with every PCS; locates a house in the desert, the arctic, or the deep south and learns to call them all 'home'. She MAKES them all home.She is fiercely IN-dependent.Military Wives are somewhat hasty. They leap into decorating, leadership, volunteering, careeralternatives, churches and friendships.They don't have 15 years to get to know people.Their roots are short but flexible.They plant annuals for themselves and perennials for those who come after them.Military Wives quickly learn to value each other.They connect over coffee, rely on the spouse-network and accept offers of friendship and favors and record addresses in pencil.Military Wives have a common bond.The Military Wife has a husband unlike other husbands.His commitment is unique. He doesn't have a job, he has a 'mission' he can't just decide to quit.He's on-call for his country 24/7 but for you, he's the most...Unreliable guy in town...His language is foreign: TDY, PCS, OPR, ACC, BDU. And so, a Military Wife is a translator for her family and his. She is the long-distance link to keep them informed; the glue that holds them together.Military Wife has her moments--She wants to wring his neck, dye his uniform pink, and refuse to move to Siberia. But she pulls herself together. Give her a few days, a travel brochure, a long hot bath, a pledge to the flag, and a wedding picture. And she goes. She packs. She moves. She follows.Why? What for? How come? You may think it is because she has lost her mind. But actually it is because she has lost her heart. It was stolen from her by a man who puts duty first, who salutes the flag and whose boots in the doorway remind her that as long as he is her Military husband, She will remain his Military wife.

Learning to Let Go

Yesterday was our first time dropping Payton at school through the car lane. While getting ready she announced she didn't want to go to school today. I thought oh, no. Everything was fine until we pulled up in line and it was her turn. I could tell by the look on her face she was nervous. I wanted to get out of the car and go with her. A staff member got her out and shuffled her toward the door to the school saying "she'll know where to go". But thoughts of her roaming the halls distraught, wondering where to go filled my mind. As we pulled away (Mike was driving) I started to cry. He, of course, thought it was ridiculous that I was crying. Anyone who is a mother can understand. I picked her up that afternoon, safe and sound. She said she had a great day and that some grownups helped her find her way. I was only slightly teary eyed this morning so I hope I am learning to let go. Although she will always be my baby girl.

Apples by Payton

Payton eating an apple, drinking apple juice. Watch out Picasso.

The Me Doll

Payton received her first "Family Project" on Friday. It was a me doll. The goal was to cut the doll out and decorate her doing something Payti would do. Of course, she picked ballet. It truly was a family project. Payti and I shopped for the materials, Daddy made the ballet bar, and we even used brothers hands for the dolls hands. And Payton pretty much did the rest. Is it just me or is it the cutest thing you have ever seen?

Bubbles and BooBoos

Wyatt only knows one speed, and that's fast. He is happiest outside, or in the water. I have to keep my eyes on him at all times because he is into anything and everything. And he is all boy all the time. He got his first fat lip today.(I did make sure he was ok before getting the camera!) He was running full force in the kitchen and tripped. I saw blood and freaked. A little ice and some TLC and he was good as new. I have a feeling I need to toughen up because there will be more where that came from.

I never paint my finger nails. So for my husband I decided to add a little color. Payton and I visited the "royal nail salon" where "Jeeps" (aka Daddy) painted our nails. He also waited on us while we had a girls night complete with a movie and smores.

Got Milk?

Our New Home

Don't know if you can make out the floorplan but it will be our new home in about 6 months! That's right, we are moving again. We have only been here for just under 2 months, but isolation isn't my thing. The lovely home will be situated in a quaint little subdivision just down the street from Payti's school (we can walk!). It is also filled with military families with kids just her age. Not to mention little Y and I can meet new friends while big sis is at school. We spent some time today picking out colors, flooring, etc. How exciting!

The First Day

Today is Payton's first day of kindergarten. I can't believe it. She handled it much better than I did. In her words, she was just so "exciting" about this day. Mommy, on the other hand was up with an upset stomach - no doubt caused by stress and anxiety about leaving my first born in someone elses care for 7 hours. I helped her hang up her backpack, find her seat and said my goodbyes. She said she would tell me all about it when I picked her up. As I was snapping some last photos I received the "mmmmmoooooommmmmmm" - my cue to leave. No here I am (Wyatt is sleeping) and I have some actual quiet time to start my blog! I have been waiting for this day. But I miss my little girl. Only 3 more hours until pick-up....................