Sick Days and Another Goodbye

This past week was a little crazy...okay, really crazy. All three of us (as well as my parents, SIL, and niece) were sick with colds which was not the best way to spend our last week together in Colorado. Poor Steve had a nasty stomach bug and was literally in bed for 3 days without eating (which is SO unlike him.) I was able to finally convince him that he needed to see a doctor and I took him to Urgent Care where they gave him 2 bags of IV fluid and medications. Christian had a nagging cough all week and I took him to the pediatrician...fortunately he just has a cold, but the cough could last for 2-3 weeks, not fun. Even though I tried to protect myself from the germs, I inevitably caught a cold as well and continue to have a stuffy head and headache. Unfortunately because I am nursing there is very little medications that I can take. I am basically fighting the cold naturally which takes longer. On a lighter note, it does seem that we are slowly but surely becoming healthy again.

I spent the first half of the week making countless phone calls to Tricare, Edwards AFB, Buckley AFB, and Peterson AFB simply trying to set up a well-baby checkup for Christian and then with the colds, that's a whole other story...ugh such a pain...they certainly don't make it easy when you are en route between bases.

Steve was feeling better and had enough strength to begin his 3 day drive with his mom on Friday to his TDY destination at Hurlburt Field in Florida. He has 9 weeks of training before taking up his new position at Shaw AFB mid-March. Christian, Phoenix and I are staying back in Colorado since family is strongly discouraged from joining. It's always difficult being apart even though we have experienced several lengthy separations while dating, during our engagement, and now 2 since we have been married, but now it seems even more difficult now that Christian is here. At least this TDY is not 15 weeks like the one this past summer and this time we are hoping to be able visit Steve. Also, Christian and I are very blessed to be able to stay with family the entire TDY...yay for Colorado and our supportive families!

Christmas Day

This year we celebrated Christmas Day at my Uncle Jerry and Aunt Deanne's home in Monument. My brother, Ryan, SIL, Kimberly, and niece, Linden were in Texas celebrating Christmas with Kim's family, so we decided to celebrate Christmas together on December 28 after they got back. Here are a few highlights of Christmas happenings and some pictures right before the New Year:

Christian with his great-grandma Nonnie, and my cousin (Christian's 2nd cousin) Jillian

My Colorado girl cousins (L to R): Janessa, Jillian, Me and Christian, Kristen, and Kathryn.

Grandma E. snuggling with Christian

Grandpa E. and Steve made a snowman for Christian...a little too cold for him to help :) Here we are posing with their creation.

Family pic at the E home (December 28)

Kim. Ryan, and Linden

Christian and Grandpa E. watching some football together.

Christmas Eve

This year we celebrated Christmas Eve at Steve's parent's home with Grandpa and Grandma R., Aunt Kristi and Uncle Kevin, cousins Logan and Kaitlyn, and Uncle Will. Here are a few pictures from Christmas Eve and one from a day prior.

Christian and Grandma R.

Sweet baby boy in his little Santa Suit.

Family pics!


Christian playing with his Grandpa R.

Rewind...Christian is 3 Months

I promised to post some pictures of Christian at 3 months since I was unable to do so before. Here he is during the week of moving from Edwards (December 15-19.)

Sleeping On Mommy and Daddy's bed the day the packers were at our house.

Christian is 3 Months! (Actually taken Dec. 18 - a day later)

Hanging out with Mommy at the TLF (Temporary Lodging Facility) the day before our move to Colorado.

All bundled up and ready for our 16 hour drive from California to Colorado.

Merry Christmas!

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
~Isaiah 9:6

Wishing you and your family a very blessed Christmas!

Happy Promo/Engagement Anniversary!

Congratulations sweetie pie on your promotion to Captain! I am so proud of you and all of the hard work that you have accomplished! I know I don't say it enough, but thank you for your sacrifice and for being such a great husband and daddy! We love you!

Steve didn't have an official ceremony today because we are in the process of PCSing, so I decided to use a picture of Steve and I during his commissioning ceremony from 4 years ago, December 16, 2005.

Today also marks the 4 year anniversary of our engagement. December 23, 2005 Steve proposed at the Denver Botanical Gardens under all the pretty twinkling lights with my family present and in on the big secret. It was certainly a cold night, but a perfect backdrop to a very sweet proposal.

What a perfect day of celebration!

Back Home in Colorado...Moving Part I

We have had a very busy week...not to mention the holidays added into the mix. The movers came last Tuesday and Wednesday and packed up our house at Edwards. It is kind of strange trusting complete strangers to pack and transport your things across the country, but then again its a good reminder that its just stuff...things we forgot that we owned, things that we can live without, things that can be replaced if necessary, etc. We said our "goodbyes" and hit the road Saturday morning for Colorado. Christian was an awesome traveler and slept much of the time, Phoenix had it a little rougher but settled down and is happy to be on solid ground. We were able to take the I-70 route that we were hoping for and the weather and traffic were perfect even with skiers and tourists. We made good time and arrived Sunday afternoon at Steve's parents' home. As I write this, snow is gently falling in little wisps and it feels so nice to be back home in Colorado relaxing and enjoying time with our families. It is wonderful to have the initial part of moving behind us. Now we can celebrate Christ's birth without constantly stressing about all that moving entails and just enjoy!

(I promise to post some new pictures soon...I am using a different computer right now.)