Year in Review: 2013

I know it's a little past the New Year, but I wanted to post some highlights from 2013:

• We finally had some family photos taken as a family of 4. These were also Lucas' first professional photos (at 13 months.)
• We found out we would be moving in the summer, and that Steve would eventually teach at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
• We took one last trip to Disney World before our move.
• Steve turned the big 3-0!
• We found out we would be moving home to Colorado and Steve would be a student at Colorado State University once again!
• We announced that we were pregnant with Baby #3 due in October.
• We all safely arrived in Colorado in June.
• Steve and I celebrated our 7th anniversary with our first getaway in 4 years.
• Christian turned 4.
• We sold our beautiful home in South Carolina. (No blog post- it was very bittersweet and under rough circumstances.)
• We welcomed Noah Levi to the family October 9, becoming a party of 5!
• A new decade for me, I turned 30 as well.
• We celebrated Christmas 3 times! (1, 2, and 3)
• Lucas turned 2.

2013 was a very busy year indeed! Lots of blessings, some hardships, but overall a wonderful year! Can't wait to see what 2014 holds for us.

7th Anniversary Getaway

Earlier this week Steve and I were able to get away (sans kiddos) for the first time in nearly 4 years! That's right...Christian is almost 4 years old. It has been challenging in the past to get away without having our parents or family close by to watch the boys, so being back in Colorado has given us the opportunity and blessing to finally go. Christian and Lucas stayed with my parents for two nights while Steve and I enjoyed the beautiful and relaxing Rocky Mountains. Our hotel was in Breckenridge, but we also enjoyed exploring Vail and Beaver Creek. So thankful for this refreshing and relaxing time. So nice to be able to explore at our own pace and not worry about nap times, bedtimes, or tending to little people needs. :o) It was also a great time to re-connect and set some personal, marriage, and parenting goals for the future.

We spent a lot of time at the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens in Vail. Enjoying the flowers, water falls, and laying under the trees by the river.

Meanwhile back at Nana and Papa's...lots of park and pool time!

Marriage Promises

While in Charleston we ate at this famous, 5 generation restaurant called Hyman's Seafood. Also part of the business: a general store and Aaron's Deli located on either side. The restaurant had a lot of personality and one of the owners personally came by and gave Christian a voucher for a free ice cream (or as C would say "i".) Anyway, on the tables and in the bathrooms were these little inspirational cards about growing old, soldiers, marriage, etc. Steve and I thought the advice on the marriage card was right on:

50 Promises for Marriage (by Steve Stephens)

1. Start each day with a kiss.
2. Wear your wedding ring at all times.
3. Date once a week.
4. Accept differences.
5. Be polite.
6. Be gentle.
7. Give gifts.
8. Smile often.
9. Touch.
10. Talk about dreams.
11. Select a song that can be “our song.”
12. Give back rubs.
13. Laugh together.
14. Send a card for no reason.
15. Do what the other person wants before he or she asks.
16. Listen.
17. Encourage.
18. Do it his or her way.
19. Know his or her needs.
20. Fix the other person’s breakfast.
21. Compliment twice a day.
22. Call during the day.
23. Slow down.
24. Hold hands.
25. Cuddle.
26. Ask for each other’s opinion.
27. Show respect.
28. Welcome the other person home.
29. Look your best.
30. Wink at each other.
31. Celebrate birthdays in a big way.
32. Apologize.
33. Forgive.
34. Set up a romantic getaway.
35. Ask, “What can I do to make you happier?”
36. Be positive.
37. Be kind.
38. Be vulnerable.
39. Respond quickly to the other person’s request.
40. Talk about your love.
41. Reminisce about your favorite times together.
42. Treat each other’s friends and relatives with courtesy.
43. Send flowers every Valentine’s day and anniversary.
44. Admit when wrong.
45. Be sensitive to each other’s sexual desires.
46. Pray for each other daily.
47. Watch sunsets together.
48. Say “I love you” frequently.
49. End the day with a hug.
50. Seek outside help when needed.

Celebrating 5 Years!

2 lovebirds + 1 faithful God + 5 years + 2 states + 4 homes + 1 kiddo (and another on the way) = a whole lot of blessings!

Happy 5th Anniversary Steve! I love you!

Weekend Links 3/11

Some weekend reading (as if you didn't have other things to do.)

Small Notebook:: Loosen the Grip of "More Stuff"

Passionate Homemaking:: Simple Steps to Declutter Your Home

Small Notebook:: The Man/T-shirt Connection: Why Guys Still Love Their Worn-Out Tees

Small Notebook:: Waiting to Upgrade: How an Ugly Couch Made Our Marriage Better

At Last! Welcome Home

After a long 6 1/2 months, Steve is finally home from his deployment. We greeted him at the airport in Columbia Friday morning. All his flights went well and other than being pretty sleep deprived, we were all excited for his homecoming. Christian was excited to show Steve around the house (like he hadn't seen it before) and was excited to show him his toys, particularly his cars. C has been following Steve around like a puppy dog and wants Daddy to hold him often. You really wouldn't even be able to tell that Steve has been gone based on Christian's actions- really I think he is just in awe of his daddy. Such a sweet time. Welcome home!

7

7 things to be in wonder of:

1. The miracle of life. Welcome to the world Shepherd! May God bless you and keep you, you have been born into a loving and amazing family.
2. A child's smile, touch, laughter, the way they see the world and take it in.
3. The love between a man and a woman that can unite them at the very center of their being. A love created by an almighty God for us, his children.
4. The unconditional love between a parent and a child. Even better, that unconditional love from the Father who first gave it to us.
5. The fact that the creator of the universe is Love, and His love is perfected in us. (see 1 John 4)
6. "That we're living just to fall more in love with Him." (Lyrics from the song Deeper, by Delirious)
7. That somehow, in someway, separation can bring us closer to the important things in life. I have had a lot of time the past 2 years to wonder how healthy it can be to spend so much time away from loved ones. It has been a struggle learning the best way to communicate, and dealing with a lack of physical presence; the hugs, kisses, hand holding, baby carrying, just being around, that provides much of the experience in relationships. I am constantly reminded about how our connection to God lacks that physical presence that we so often desire. Another song on my "home" playlist reminds of this constant battle of holding on and letting go...

9

9 reasons to love home:

1. See picture above...how could your heart not be stirred if they were waiting for you?
2. Coming home to a beautiful, loving wife
3. The joy of good neighbors
4. The smells of the seasons, different recipes, different candles...
5. The feeling of rest and relief
6. The chance to play with my son in the yard
7. The chance to cuddle up with my wife on the couch
8. Sleeping in your own bed!
9. And of course...home is where the heart is!

Light at the End

I was thinking: Steve has been gone over a year in the past 22 months, about 1/4 of our marriage, and 1/2 of Christian's life between his lengthy TDYs (Fort Bragg and Hurlburt Field) and this deployment. Needless to say, it will be so nice to have him home. Hopefully he can stick around for awhile. In some ways I don't remember what it was like to have him home...how sad is that? I guess I have just gotten used to the solo days and evenings. Setting up new routines in hopes that it will help Mommy and Christian get through the day. Sometimes we are just in survival mode. And in the end, we have nearly made it. I am not quite sure how some military families have been able to sacrifice so much of their life together. I am grateful that this was a shorter deployment compared to the year-long+ commitments, and I am thankful that Steve will (cross my fingers) not have to go back soon. God has kept him in safe territory and I am incredibly grateful that he is not on the front lines. No, this lifestyle is not ideal, but I am SO thankful that God has given us the grace to get through these rough separations. So...as we look at these last couple weeks, I am just so thrilled that there is light at the end of the tunnel. And can I just say, "Thank You" to all military members and families, past and present, who have served (in a multitude of ways) for our country. We have gotten just a taste of what that sacrifice looks like.

Counting the Days

...until we see you again!

We are coming down the homestretch of this deployment!

Whoo hoo!!

Hi Daddy! I Missed You!

Christian and Daddy's reunion. (C had just woken up for the day.) I believe that Christian definitely remembered Steve and was so happy to spend time with him. He talked about "da-da-da" the entire time.

This past week we drove to Tampa, Florida to meet Steve where he had flown stateside for a short TDY in the midst of his deployment. If only all deployments offered this luxury! Preparations for our travel were pretty short notice and despite an 8 hour drive from Sumter, it was completely worth it. Steve's mom was even able fly and meet us halfway in Jacksonville to break up the driving and help with Christian. Hooray for a date night (which come pretty few and far between even when Steve is home.)We were able to enjoy a full day together and the evenings. Grandma, little C man, and I went to the Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa and Clearwater Beach during the days when Steve was "doing the stuff he needed to do."

With 4 months down and a couple more to go it was a huge blessing to see Daddy and to get a few precious days with him. An early Christmas gift perhaps? :o)

"Oh Daddy! I sure love you!"

Thanksgiving

"I thank God for you."
~2 Timothy 1:3 (NLT)

I know that I do not spend enough time thanking God for all that he has blessed me with. I am glad that we have a day set aside to rest and thank Him for the dear friends, family, and the multitude of ways that He continually pours out His love for us. But what about the other days of the year? I pray that we will remember all year long that each day is a gift. I have written just a short, general list of things that I am thankful for. Just for fun, leave a comment with 3-5 things that you are thankful for too. :)

1. My incredible family. Both sides. So very supportive and encouraging.

2. Our friends and neighbors. Those who have called during these past few months or have made the effort to reach out and love on us.

3. My wonderful husband. Serving our country and sacrificing for our freedom.

4. Our "baby" boy, Christian. Who brings joy and awe before me every day.

5. Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, and ALL.

Happy Birthday to my sweet and lovely!

Happy Birthday to the best wife and mother that a man could ask for.

Erin, you are amazing. "A wife of noble character who can find?" I count myself blessed beyond measure that I have found one in you. You are definitely worth far more than rubies, and you most certainly bring me good all the days of my life.

Every day I miss you more, and every day I love you more. It's not just because of your gentle touch, comforting me when I feel down or stressed. It's not how you always go out of your way to be cheerful and thankful when I come home, giving me a warm welcome even though I don't deserve it. It's not even your ravishing good looks that I miss the most. What I miss most of all is your constant and unconditional love, and how you share it with me and Christian without end.

It is undeniable that you have made me a better man, and I know without a doubt that you are raising our son in such a way that he will desire to be a great man because of the love of his mother. I thank God for you whenever I think of you, as He has given me the greatest companion to share this life, our journey together to become one; one in each other and one in God. You have made this journey greater every day, and I am so excited to continue this journey with you for all our lives.

Happy Birthday Erin, I love you.

Keeping Focused

I will admit that this week has been a little rough. Thankfully, Christian has been a good boy, and everything is going smooth around here, but emotionally I have just been a little down. I really miss Steve, and I miss having a partner and a daddy for Christian. A group of pilots just returned from their deployments and instead of being joyful for them and their families I have regretfully been envious. I know our day will come, and it will be filled with celebration when Steve returns, but until then it is just tough being alone. Please pray that I will have a more heavenly perspective on hard days and that I will find my true contentment and hope in God alone.

While working on my Bible study last week, this verse just jumped off the page. How appropriate! My focus has been on my needs instead of a pure focus on Christ Jesus.

"Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs- he wants to please his commanding officer."
~2 Timothy 2:3-4

To my darling wife

I have been missing you so very much. You are always on my mind, and when I think of you it brings joy to my heart, lightening my burdens and brightening my day. I wanted to share this joy and love, and I know that this song is one that we both enjoy so very much. It gives us a glimpse of the love that God has for us and the love we have been given to share with each other. I do hope this touches your heart as you hear it and know that though we are so far apart, God keeps us connected through His love. A love that has eternal roots, bridging the greatest of divides, and which connects on a level of more than just the love between a man and a woman, but rather the love shared through the joining of two souls.

I love you.

Sweet dreams...

"To sleep, perchance to dream..." -Hamlet

Last night I dreamed of coming home to my beautiful wife and my son whom I love. I ran to them with my arms open wide, and Christian jumped into my arms. I held him so close and he said "I love you daddy". Then he turned to mommy and said "I love mommy too". Then he kissed us both with that sweet open mouth kiss of his and said "I love my family". At this point he began to laugh with joy...that gentle giggle and squeal that a child makes which can melt the hardest of hearts. Needless to say at this point I broke down into a sobbing mess, overjoyed to the point of tears.

Unfortunately I woke up and was still here. But with the dream replaying in my mind these steel toed boots were walking on air all day today.

My situation is definitely not as bad as many of the other brave men and women serving out there. But I can guarantee that our longing to be home and hold our spouse and kids is ever-present. It's what makes us human and what grants us the sweetest of dreams.

Praying for Our Husbands

"Praying for Your Husband" is a simple 31 day guide to help us bless our husbands in our daily prayer lives. It's in PDF format, so it is easy to print out and keep close.

I remember a very similar guide provided in a women's Bible study that I attended while at CSU, before I was married. We decided to use this handy guide to pray for our future and unknown husbands. (Isn't it such a blessing that even though we didn't know who that might be, God knew all along and was preparing us for our future husband?)

At this time in our lives, I am finding it even more important to pray for Steve while he is deployed and away from all the comforts of home.

How can you bless the man in your life today?

Flying Solo

Remember when I asked on the blog a little while back about your advice about lengthy separations from a spouse and daddy? I thoroughly appreciated all of your comments! One of the blogs that I read regularly, Simple Mom, just recently did a post about "flying solo" as a single mommy during military deployments or other separations, even if just for a few days. I don't know if it will help any of my fellow military wives or anyone else, but I thought I might share.

Here We Go...

Day 1.
And it begins.
I ask that you will kindly consider praying for us during this time.

For me: strength, patience, and selflessness.

For Steve: protection and comfort.

For Christian: love and obedience.

Also pray that we will be in God's Word unceasingly during this time. What a perfect opportunity to develop a deeper relationship with God and to make that a priority. I pray that we will be faithful and be a good example for Christian, showing him that even though things might be tough, we will pull through with God's grace.

Weekend Links 7/30

Below are some links that I especially enjoyed this week:

Small Notebook:: Drop Off Old Computer Parts at Goodwill

Passionate Homemaking:: Babies Don't Keep

Small Notebook:: Are You Making Your To Do List Too Hard? Find Out Why.

Keeper of the Home:: Enjoying the Blessings of Today

Small Notebook:: The No Spend Month