Our Year in Review

In January Beau and I accepted his invitation to rejoin the Air Force as an officer and started preparing for him to leave for OTS(Officer Training School). Daniel was fitted for his first wheelchair. This was bittersweet. In February Beau left us to attend OTS in Alabama, and we found ways to make it work without him. I learned I was stronger than I thought, that I could get 3 kids ready for school without him and how to sleep after kids went to school since I wasn't sleeping at night. In March Nathan turned 7 and we skyped with Beau, realizing just how different Basic training was compared to OTS. I turned 30, and celebrated with the kids.In April we started prepping to move and got ready go see Beau in Alabama. In May Beau graduated from OTS, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force, we drove for 16 hours to see the 5 min ceremony and bring him home with us. Daniel turned 11 and Then we began the house hunting and packing since our orders were to San Antonio, just 2 hours away. In June we closed on our House and became home owners for the second time, and moved down to San Antonio. I was just relieved to be able to stay in Texas. Even though I know it won't be for forever, I want to stay as long as I can. In July we learned the perks of living outside the city limits and watched as our neighbors put on an awesome fireworks show from our back yard. We adopted Loki, a pit/staffy mix. August came all too fast, Nana and Papa came to visit and we went to Seaworld for the first time. Daniel started 6th grade in middle school, I didn't sleep for month leading up to this, but it has all worked out and he loves it. Emma began 3rd grade and was lucky enough to get a really great teacher. Nathan started 2nd and begged to be home schooled until I let him take his football to school. He also began his first season of flag football in which Beau was assistant coach. It was really fun, but I was glad it was over all at the same time. September was our 12 year anniversary and i can honestly say I love that man more everyday! October brought Halloween, but for the first time ever my kids didn't want to go trick or treating instead we watched Harry Potter and hid inside. It was Awesome! November was quiet, and in December Emma turned 9. And all year long I was a full time student working on a Bachelors in Elementary Education. All in all it has been a good year full of blessings and lessons. And for the first time I am not making a New Years resolution!

12 Years and Counting

Tomorrow marks our 12 year Anniversary,running away with Beau was the best thing I ever did aside from going to Jr. Prom with him(our first date). I would say I am so lucky but luck has nothing to do with it. We have worked hard to make it work. We have both improved ourselves, we have fought, screamed(me more than him), and worked through things. There were times I wanted to leave, times he wanted to leave and times I couldn't believe how lucky I was that he stayed. I still remember the first time I saw him, the first words he said to me, the first words I replied, and what we were wearing. I remember all the times he attempted to talk to me, all the times I blew him off. I remember how he stuttered while he struggled for the words to ask me to Prom and how let him sweat it out for an hour before I said yes. I remember what he looked like sitting on my couch while waiting for me to finish getting ready, what it felt like the first time he put his arm around me. I remember our first dance, our first hug and our first kiss. I remember when he asked me to be his girl friend and I made him him for it for a week before I said yes. I remember saying yes. I remember the moment I knew I loved him, I remember the moment I knew I wanted to marry him, I remember the moment I knew I couldn't live without him. I remember when it physically hurt to be away from him. I remember the day I walked into his house and he said "Lets get married!" I replied "I told you yes." To which he responded "like today, right now." I didn't even hesitate, we eloped and said "I do". I remember missing him while he was away at Basic Training, I remember seeing him in his dress blues for the first time, I remember driving from CA to TX 36 weeks pregnant so he could be there when I had Daniel, and living in a tiny, gross apartment because that was all we could afford. I remember the look on his face the moment he saw his tiny baby boy. I remember the way he looked at me when we were kneeling across from each other in the temple a year later, being sealed as a family together forever. I remember the moment we found out we were having Emma, and the look on his face when we found out it was a girl. I remember waking him up at 4 a.m. because it was time to push. I remember him deciding we should wait 3 years before having another baby and the moment God sent Nate 6 months later. I remember him being supportive when I cried "I just had a baby, how will I be able to do 2 this close together?". I remember when we decided on the name Nate. I remember his face the moment he saw Nathan, the moment he brought Emma in to see Nathan and the first time Daniel saw Nathan. I remember all the late night feedings, all of the endless diapers, all the times he got up with sick kids, all the early mornings. I remember the times I didn't want to go to church and he encouraged, all the times he didn't want to go and I encouraged. I remember him prayerfully asking about life decisions. I remember all the blessing he has given me and our children over the last 12 years. I remember him encouraging me to go to school and cheering me on when I thought each new semester was going to be the end of me. I remember the moment we knew something was wrong with Daniel, I remember the day we found out what it was, the moment he decided to go back into the Air Force so he could give his family more than what we had. I remember how hard it was for him to be away from us, I remember how it felt to have him back home. Everyday he kisses me goodbye, every night he kisses me goodnight, and there is never any doubt that he loves me. He plays with the kids, coaches Nate's football team, helps me with chores,helps me with Daniel and is always there for me. It has been an amazing 12 years, and I can't wait to grow old together.

Catch up post.

Beau graduated from OTS, he is now an officer! we bought a house down here in San Antonio. We live in a great neighborhood, a great ward, and we are almost done unpacking. There are few things that need to be unpacked, a few things that need to be hung and few things that need to be thrown out bu all in all we are settling in wonderfully. And our biggest news besides the awesome house with a 92 in projector screen, we adopted another dog. His name is Loki, he is an American Staffordshire terrier. Nathan went to petsmart with me yesterday and we fell in love with this boy! He's 2.5 years old, potty trained, and through all the puppy stuff. He is getting along with Kai and Tika really well. He loves me, like follows me all over the house loves me. He is a rescued dog, who had been chained to a tree and left to die. Seriously, he is the best dog, so we aren't sure why anyone would want to chain him up, but we are thinking his original owners rehomed him and then those people are the ones who did it. He is a big lover! Very smart, he needs to be reminded of some manners, but is doing well so far. The kids are in love and Kai is the happiest I've seen in awhile. I plan on making LOki my running buddy since he's young and has energy.

We are all loving him!I'll upload some house photos later.

Our Assignment

So last night Beau received phone call from our sponsor, welcoming him to our new base. We haven't even been given the official paperwork! It has put my mind at rest and now I can begin planning! We are headed to Lackland! We are so excited!And Daniel can keep all of his specialist up here in Austin!

Another Child lost

As I sit here this morning I opened my Email to see another child who is losing the battle with FA. Too many have died since we joined the group in August. It breaks my heart everytime I read about it because I know unless there is a cure found that will be at least one of my kids, possibly 2, we don't have anything on paper for the second one but I am fairly certain. It is a hard thing knowing all you can do is sit and watch time pass. I am so thankful for my knowledge of eternal families and that even after this life is over I will see them again and their bodies will be perfected through Christ. My heart is heavy today, and praying for the families who have lost children sooner than they should have, to this disease.

We Are Almost Done

This time we've spent apart has made me stronger than I thought I could ever be. When Beau left for OTS I was scared to death. I stood tall, told him not to worry, I would be fine, but I was terrified. Afraid I would fail as a mother while he was gone. He helped so much around the house and with the kids that I wasn't sure how it was going to go. I was afraid to fall asleep, afraid one(Daniel) would need something and I wouldn't wake up, I found it hard to sleep at first and would wait up for Beau's call or text and then fall asleep due to pure exhaustion after it arrived. Over the last month I have learned that a nap can fix your whole week, your kids would rather stay home and snuggle watching movies and eating popcorn than go anywhere, and that I am stronger than I thought. I am so proud of Beau and his accomplishments while he has been away, he is amazing, I always knew he was amazing, but he doesn't always see it so I have to remind him. I think I tell him everyday. Only 20 days left, we still have no idea where we are going and no idea when we are moving but I am learning patience in the process. And this helps me remember why he is gone, to become a leader, to make our lives better, and to provide for our kids. How did I get so lucky?

Plans Change Because Prayers Are Answered

When we separated from the Air Force our plan was for Beau to finish school and go back in as an Officer so almost two years ago we decided Beau would try to get back into the Air Force as an officer. He applied but he didn't get selected, so we came to Austin. In September the recruiter called and asked if he would like to apply again, he said sure but didn't think he would get in, but I decided to put my trust in the Lord and knelt in prayer asking, that the men on the selection board for the Air Force would be inspired to choose Beau if that is what the Lord wanted for our family. A few weeks ago we received a phone call letting us know that Beau has been accepted into the Air Force as an Officer! After much prayer and many talks we decided the best thing for our Family was to do it. Beau has been offered a Computer Engineer Developer job. It is a non deployment position and located at only stateside bases. We are both extremely excited and are looking forward to our assignment.I am so proud of Beau and his accomplishments. He is an amazing husband and father and so willing to do anything for our family. We have such an awesome journey ahead of us.