Out of Wyatt's mouth...

This was just heard in my kitchen...

As Wyatt was pretending to fix Rea's little pink Barbie Jeep with his toy tools, I gave him a kiss....he says, "Mommy, stop giving me sugars. I a man and I working on this Jeep".

He never fails to crack me up. haha.

P.S. Here's a little gem from yesterday. We walked out of the house to get in the car when Wyatt spots some birds on the sidewalk. Screaming out of excitement he says, "Daddy!!! Look at those eagles!!!". Daddy says, "Um, buddy...those are pigeons." :)

As promised...

As promised, here are the pictures that were taken by our photographer on homecoming day. I hope you love them as much as I do! Sorry they're in a kooky order...but blogger was giving me fits today. If you want to look at them in sequential order, start at the bottom and work your way up. :)

Homecoming

Homecoming was amazing. To finally see Josh's face again...and to watch my children get to hug their father after 7 months apart, was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Here are a few pictures from that day...they were taken by Jaime Hough, an amazing photographer. As soon as she posts some more, I'll be sure to post them...

I'm sorry for the tardy post...but life has been so busy since Josh got home. Josh came home on June 14th, and sadly, brought with him a stomach bug. So the poor guy finally got home only to spend the first few days in bed. After the stomach bug left us, the kids and Josh got a really bad upper respiratory infection. The kids have only recently fully recovered from that.

We've done some fun family things in the last few weeks....we took the kids on the Amtrak train for the day and Mommy and Daddy had themselves a date night. :) Last week, Josh's parents (aka Grandma and Grandpa) came out to visit....and to watch the children while Josh and I had a mini vacation in San Diego for a few days.

San Diego was wonderful. I needed the break so badly. And truthfully, I think the kids needed a break from us too. They were thrilled to be hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa and did not miss us a bit. Wyatt didn't even want to talk when we would call to check in. Guess Grandpa is pretty entertaining.

The day after we got back from our trip, it was Wyatt's 3rd birthday! I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that Wyatt is now 3. I remember the day he was born like it was yesterday. It's crazy how much he has grown and learned over the last few years. He is such a smart and handsome little boy. We are so incredibly blessed to have him as our son. Anyway, we took the kids to the circus in Fresno to celebrate. They LOVED it...although I think Grandpa was the most impressed--he said the last time he went to the circus it was in an un-air conditioned tent.

Grandma and Grandpa left this morning. We were all sad to see them go. Hopefully we can get out to the farm sometime this fall before Josh deploys again (yes, again).

It's almost time!

We are getting incredibly close to Josh being home! I can't say exactly how long online...but know that it's REALLY close. Today is the first day that I have officially been tackling my to-do list. It's crazy how long this list is...I think it's literally five pages long. Hopefully I can get everything done in time, and if not--well hopefully Josh won't notice. :)

The kids are getting really excited about homecoming. Wyatt is constantly talking about how Daddy will fly his jet in and run up and give him a huge hug. Rea isn't totally aware of what's going on, but she definitely feeds off of Wyatt's excitement. Buck, our sweet lab, is going to freak when he sees his daddy...every time we even say the words "Daddy is almost home", the dog runs to the front door.

Wyatt and Reagan have already made their welcome home signs. I would post pictures but I don't want to ruin the surprise for Josh (I know you're reading this). They were having so much fun drawing and decorating their signs. I can't wait to post pictures of them...Wyatt's is hysterical. I have booked a photographer for the big fly-in. So we should have some fabulous pictures of our reunion to share with all of you. I just figured that it would be impossible for me to document this occasion the way I really want to without a little help. So stay posted for those...

Anyway, if you have a minute please say a prayer for us as we prepare for this huge day in our lives and as we navigate this transition. And we'll keep you updated on our progress!

I just wanted to include this passage of scripture on the blog...I can't even count how many situations and days this passage has gotten me through. And how wonderful are these promises? I just love how much our God loves me...and my kids...and my husband...and my family and friends...and all of you. And how comforting is it to know that He cares and His protection covers us always...

Psalm 91

¹ Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

³ Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
⁴ He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
⁵ You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
⁶ nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
⁷ A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
⁸ You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

⁹ If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
¹⁰ no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
¹¹ For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
¹² they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
¹³ You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

¹⁴ “Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
¹⁵ He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
¹⁶ With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”

Daddy's little butterfly

Couldn't resist sharing this picture of Rea...a.k.a. Daddy's "butterfly". I think it's safe to say that daddy will be wrapped around this butterfly's finger when he gets home...

Prayers for Alabama

Yesterday and today were hard days to be away from my sweet home Alabama...

Massive tornadoes ripped through the state yesterday and two of my favorite places on the planet saw devastating damage...Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. I grew up in Birmingham and went to college in Tuscaloosa.

My thoughts, heart, and prayers are with the people of this great state and especially with those who have experienced loss because of these storms. I pray that God may bring peace and healing and give those who need it the strength to rebuild.