Another sad post...consider yourself warned

When I was growing up and going through whatever trials and tribulations came my way, my mom was always there crying when I cried, hurting when I hurt. Heck, even still today, she cries when I cry and hurts when I hurt. Needless to say, we have shared a tear or two this past year. And now that I am mother, I totally and completely understand and feel this.

Steven left to go back to Iraq about 40 hours ago…already seems like eternity. We had to be at the airport by about 6:15 A.M. for his 7:20 flight out. Daycare was not yet open and although I know I could have asked anyone to keep the kids for me, I thought it was best for the kids to come say goodbye. Reed needed to see Daddy get on a plane and leave. Just going to school and Daddy not being home would have been much harder.

So, as they called for military to board the plane, Steven got up and grabbed Lilly to hug her. She is so young that she was more interested in running around anyway! Then came Reed…Steven picked him up, hugged him tight, and kissed him good bye. He put Reed down and hugged and kissed me goodbye again…I am so tired of goodbyes…

Steven grabbed his bags and started to walk away….and then the crying really began…Reed wanted to run to Daddy but I couldn’t let him. I sat on the chair holding my baby….hurting and crying with him. Once Steven was out of sight, Reed calmed down and we went to watch the airplane get all packed up and take off. As we sat on the floor at the window, Reed kept asking questions…”Is Daddy on that plane?”….”Daddy is going to Iraq, right?”….”Are all the people going to Iraq?”….”Mommy, go get Daddy so I can tell him bye bye”…and on and on. I did my best but the tears were still there. Once the plane took off, we left the airport.

My plan was to go back to work that morning….I drove to daycare and dropped off the kids. Of course Lilly screamed but she does every morning…she is just going through that phase. Reed was very upset too but I knew we had to get back into normal life and going home to cry with him all day was not the best thing for him. I knew I wasn’t ready to go into the office so I went home to just lie down and calm down for a bit. I ended up falling asleep and slept most of the day (I barely slept the night before). When I picked up Reed and Lilly from school, they told me that Lilly had a great day and Reed’s was ok. His teacher told me he would just start crying and did ask for his daddy.

We got out to the car and as I buckled Reed in his chair, he asked if Daddy was at home. I had to remind him that we brought him back to the airport to go to Iraq. The tears started….and again, I cried with him. So, we drove home and the rest of the night was so so. Of course he played but he would come to me and say “I am sad cause I miss my daddy.” When it was time for bed, he flipped out on me again. So, I layed next to him and cried with him again. He only slept in his bed until about 11 when he woke up screaming for me. I put him in bed with me and he slept soundly the rest of the night.

This morning when it was time to get up and get ready for school, Reed didn’t budge. I had to carry him out of bed and into the bathroom as he cried…and he cried the entire morning.
Steven called me at about 5:00 P.M. to let me know where he was in his travels. It was so great to hear his voice. We talked on my way to get the kids. So, when I got to daycare, Reed came outside and got to talk to him. After we hung up, we packed in the car and headed home. As soon as we walked in, the tears started. He missed his daddy….he was sad….he wanted to talk to him again…and I couldn’t do a thing to make it better. I sat on the kitchen floor with him on my lap and cried with him.

My baby is only 3 years old and he is not supposed to be sad. I HATE that I can’t do anything to make that better. I feel helpless to this whole situation and just like my mom hurt and cried with me….I hurt and cry with my baby. I miss my husband like crazy and I often times cry for my own self pity….but I would take that hurt 10 times over if it would take it away from Reed.

I know that he is only 3 and that he will be fine….and I know that we need people like Steven defending our freedoms….but not a single bit of rationalization helps…my baby is sad and so is mommy.

Reed's 3rd Birthday Party

So, I am usually fairly decent with planning parties in enough time to have the invites done and out at least 2 weeks early, with the theme, decorations, favors, etc figured out. I tend to over think these darn parties. Well, I had decided to do a water slide for Reed's party....I searched high and low for cute invites and couldn't find them. So I made one myself (not that it was great, but it was free). Then I started researching the cost and size. I quickly realized that I would have to move all the play things in the backyard to accommodate anything fun. And then, with Steven coming home, my mind was distracted and I never really committed to anything. So, when Steven got in, we talked about it and decided to scrap the water slide (good thing I didn't do the invites yet!). So, I was back to square one. After searching online, I found these cute red, white, and blue invites to which I added a pic from July 4th. So, since Daddy was home on leave, I thought a red, white, and blue party would be cute. I have to say, I was pleased.

The invite read "Daddy's been away but he came home for my birthday"....talk about a tug to the heart, huh?!? Here is the pic I used too.

Here is the adorable cake

And I lucked out and found these for favors. Cuteness!

I even found patriotic cookies! Sometimes things just come together perfectly.

Mom, no more pictures!

Reed and Hunter

Blowing out the candle

Opening presents with Daddy!

Daddy probably thinking this is madness! It was!

Once most people left, Reed decided he wanted to play in the hose...and of course Paw Paw helped out!

Lilly getting sprayed....

And Lilly running!

Drenched!

The party was great and Reed was so happy that his Daddy came home for his birthday (which yes, was planned on purpose). I can't believe my little man is already 3 years old!!

2 Weeks of Wonderful!

Steven came home for his 15 day R&R on Monday July 19th. My in laws came in to welcome him home and we went to dinner with them and Steven's brother and sister in law. We didn't really plan anything over the time he was home but we sure packed in lots of family time and fun along the way.

They were excited waiting on Daddy's arrival!

Very excited!


Reed made some friends waiting for their aunt to come visit.

And he's home!!

Happy Reed and Happy Daddy!


The next day we decided to hit the Children's Museum and then met some friends for lunch.

Sometimes they actually play good together!

We had lots of days playing outside on the tractor and on Lilly's car. I didn't have the camera out alot though...

They sweat ALOT!

We had a special day with Reed and took him to the Zoo. Then we went to see Toy Story 3 at the movie theatre. This was Reed's first movie. The one request Steven had before he left was that he could be the first one to take him to a movie....and of course, he was. The movie was great!

We did lots more playing....and visiting and such....no camera though!

Then came Reed's 3rd Birthday! We brought Lilly to daycare and Steven, Reed, and I went to Blue Bayou for the day. We had a blast....but again, no photos. I had the camera....it was just in the locker!! We came back to Lafayette, picked up Lilly, and went to Chuck E Cheese...can we say spoiled much?!?!

Chucke came to sing Happy Birthday and bring Reed his cake!

Reed did have to go see Dr. Bailey for his 3 year old check up. He is 40 lbs (off the charts!!) and 39 inches tall. We have a big man on our hands! We had his birthday party on Saturday but that deserves a post all in its own, so that is coming next.

Steven mentioned wanting to head back to Blue Bayou since Reed loved it so much. Instead, I discovered the water park in Sulphur. It is a heck of alot cheaper and just enough for Reed! It was actually really nice....wish Lafayette had one! I'd be there all the time!

The 2 weeks we got to spend together as a family were priceless. I got to take the time off of work and really enjoy my hubby being home. We got right back into being a family and after not having that normalcy for so long, it was wonderful!

Tomorrow we bring Steven back to airport and he heads back to the sandbox until the end of the year. I am heartbroken again and so tired of saying good bye. I wish he was home for good but I am not so lucky! I am so thankful for the time we did get and can't wait for this year to be done with!!

I love you Steven and can't wait to have you home again soon!

July 4th, 2010

My dad and Darlene came up for the July 4th weekend. Luckily I found out about 2 great events in Lafayette. On Saturday we went to Sugar Mill Ponds July 4th celebration and then on Sunday we headed downtown to hear the Acadiana Symphonic Orchestra play and watch more fireworks. Unfortunately, my camera died on me after day one and I don't have any pics from Sunday. Owell....here is Sugar Mill Pond....


Lilly kept going for the bottle! Uh Oh!

Watching the sky divers

Waiting for the fireworks to start.




Watching the band play with Paw

And they started! Fireworks were great!