Our Christmas Story

Well everything went over well...
I got the kids small things that they would need to go on this Cruise. Sunglasses, flip flops, sunscreen, cameras, goggles and snorkels. I hid their presents around the house in colored bags and told them to find their gifts.

As soon as they did it was time to leave to go see Keith on a video teleconference and he told them where they would use all the gifts at. Jadyn was very excited! She jumped up and hugged me.

So, in a few days we are off to Mexico and then a few weeks after that Keith will be home for his 2 weeks of R&R.

Hopefully time will fly!

200th post!! Yaa Me

Love this video.
they showed it at church

Wounded Warriors

It has been on my mind a lot lately in light of everything that has occurred in the last 2 months. A while back ago I came across another blog of a mom who is now a caretaker of her son who was wounded in Afghanistan similiar to Rob. This soldier is missing a large portion of his skull, brain matter, and he was burned pretty badly. Their lives have been changed forever. Leslie, Kevin's mom needs to buy a house that is handicapp accessible in Tampa so they can be close to the VA hospital because eventually he is going to be released. And he needs to stay in a warm area of the country because of his burns though they would love nothing more then to return home to Pennsylvania. And once Kevin is released from the hospital, Leslie won't get paid as caretaker any longer which means she is out of a job. But there is no chance that she can leave Kevin 8+ hours a day to get one.

A couple of days ago I mentioned to her via a comment that she should set up a paypal account so other could donate to help and initially it didn't sit well with her...but everyone jumped on the bandwagon and she did it.

I like giving money to people instead of organizations/companies, especially in light of all this recent corruption where every big business seems to be hemmoragging money and can't pull it together. This way you know 100% of your money is being used exactly how you want it to be and not wallpapering some CEO's McMasion. You can feel good about Kevin and Leslie.

If you find it in your heart to donate to them, here is their blog
http://lesliekamm.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas!

Randomness

I have many thoughts, but they don't go together:

1. Murphy's oil soap works wonders on wood floors. I finally got all the marshmellow mess off my floor with that and a good mop and they are super shiny and slick as snot.

2. Because they are so slick, I totally biffed it yesterday morning. I knew it would happen sooner or later but if I was any older I would have broken a hip! I totally tripped over a suitcase that I haven't put away from my Nebraska trip at 5:30in the morning and pretty much face planted. Nursing a knee that took most of the hit.

3. A new pass time of mine is sweeping my floors-- love it! And it makes me realize with everything I sweep up in just one day that carpet truely is gross!

4. I am supposed to be leaving right now and heading to Lifeway in temple to buy a birthday present for someone. I am buying the new Beth Moore bible study called Esther for both myself and her and the sale I am trying to get to ends at noon.

5. But I rather sit here and drink coffee on my backporch and type away while watching a house being put up behind me in the distance. My little piece of paradise will be slowly disappearing since I won't be able to watch the deer and birds once these houses go up.

6. I have been debating on how I am going to get through Christmas day with the kids since we are doing it different this year. This year we are going on a Mexican cruise but not until the 5th of Jan. So I think I am going to do a scavenger hunt for the kids. I just have decide what they need for the trip and go and purchase the items still to get this thing set up. I do the last clue is going on post to see Keith on a video teleconference where he will tell the kids about the cruise.

7. I still haven't decorated for christmas. I am thinking that the day after I will go buy a tree and put it up then! haha and keep it up until Keith comes home and we will have a mini christmas then.

8. Keith is about to call me so I guess I will end this now!

Happy Birthday for Bridger and I am terrible at taking pictures!

I think I already mentioned that Bridger turned 12 in November, but we had to schedule his party much later because I was busy with other things. Then when we did schedule, I had to cancel and reschedule. By the time we had this party, I was pulling my hair out because I just wanted it to be over. I can finally say it is, and I barely have any pictures to prove it. I am missing whole children who attended the party but I have no photographic proof!! Such a bummer

anyhow, we went bowling and ate there and then came home to eat brownies, ice cream and open presents. All the kids got marshmellow shooters and a bag of mini marshmellows to shoot each other with. I was up half the night scrubbing sticky marshmellow off my wood floors.....nice!





Have to go get my 3rd flat tire on the Tahoe fixed this morning! I am really sick of this. Keith has a flat too, but I will worry about it next month!

I'm back!

Just returned from Nebraska and the funeral and support of Dena and her girls was moving to say the least. Her family is outstanding and the small towns of Nebraska were also outstanding in their support. Every single person who came out in the cold to hold a flag and/or sign as Rob passed by...I just hope you know your support was appreciated and absolutely stunning. For a military wife like myself whose husband is still in harms way, it is breath-taking to realize that there are still people and true American Patriots who remember what is going on in this world and that you realize the sacrifice being made.

I am only going to share a few pictures and stories---- there are MANY of them but a few that I just want to keep to our little group. We shared some precious moments together that I will always cherish.

I was honored to drive Rob's truck in the procession from Lincoln Airport to the funeral home in Osceola. Dena and Ali were my passengers and we followed closely behind the Patriot Guard motorcycles who surrounded Rob's hearse.

I also drove the truck after the funeral to the grave site and once again, just many many people who stood with their flags in support of Rob's sacrifice. They surrounded the grave site also.


The 3 days of activities was emotionally exhausting and I am so glad that we ended our time together with just the 6-4 cav girls. There was snow angels made (I have the picture to prove it!!), snowball fights where we played like children and knew that Rob was looking down on us laughing, and something about a hot tub.....it was nice!

Here we are!!! My dear girlfriends of the 6-4 Cav!!
Jennifer, Ali, Dena, Me, Brittany and Michelle is front and center

It wasn't supposed to be this way...

Exactly a month ago on Dena's back porch, while we were waiting for her to leave for Germany, we discussed how Rob was going to show up at the guys (our deployed husbands) welcome home ceremony. How he was going to walk in on his prosthetic legs, maybe even a couple inches taller and everyone would be wild with enthusiasm. He would have nothing less than a standing ovation. We all had so much hope and Rob's progress was nothing short of amazing.

My heart is truely broken, but I find comfort in knowing he is in the arms of our Father and he is not hurting anymore. I hurt for his wife and kids though and their pain. And I hurt for my husband and the other soldiers in our Unit who will wake up in a couple of hours and find out the news.

People here have been amazing through all this. Several people have volunteered to help me out with the kids so I can make the trek to Nebraska and that means so much to me to know that they will be taken care of in my absence. I am just really awestruck by those who have reached out to the yllescas', and their family and friends.

Thank you to everyone who prayed on his behalf. Now we must continue to do so for Dena and the girls.

Rob, Keith and I will never forget your sacrifice and your friendship. You are forever etched into our hearts.