5 Years Ago..

5 years ago my beautiful baby girl, Marley, was born. She was a bit of a trouble maker while I was pregnant..I spent many days in the hospital months before thinking she would make an earlier entrance. Everyone who has meet her knows she is my "wild" child, but in a good way of course. She is very outgoing and a friend to all. It is hard for me to believe that 5 years have past since she arrived, it has gone to fast for me. She often asks me what she was like as a baby; sweet, beautiful and always funny! She has brought so many smiles to our entire family, we are blessed to have her.
Happy Birthday Marley!

Saying Goodbye, Again.

Once again we are preparing for T to go on a very long trip. I haven't really told the girls the specifics yet, I hate that moment when Marley says "No, I don't want him to go". Until months ago they didn't really know what he did, but I decided it was time for them to be told so that they could understand why it is important that he goes away.
You know I can't tell what I told them, but I had an opportunity to show them first hand how their dad impacted someone else's life, McLayne said "my dad is cool". I have to admit, he is pretty cool. Marley's reaction was a little different, she asked "does my dad swing from vines like tarzan?" I said not exactly, but anything is possible.
I know Terry will miss them as much as we miss him, when he comes back school will be at its end and our little girls will have changed. A friend asked me the other day, doesn't it suck when he is gone? I said of course, but I'm very proud of him and our family. So our first few weeks apart there will be many tears, lots of hugs and extra love for my girls. Saying goodbye never gets easier!

Marley's First Soccer Game

Marley's 1st soccer game was today. All the kids had a great time, would fall down and get right back up without batting an eye - an awesome group of kids! Marley has her dad's love of sports and she must have gotten her talent from him too! The pics say it all:)

Marley starts Preschool

Marley didn't make the cut off for K this year, so off for another year of preschool. She loves school, she is my social butterfly. At the airport a few weeks ago a woman talked to Marley and M and a few minutes later she said "I can tell who your wild child is". Marley is Marley is what I have always said about her. From the moment she knew how to act silly she wanted to make everyone laugh...and she still does. Mark my words (and all those people who know her can vouch)...she will be the one that T and I are tracking down in high school. She has so much personality, she makes me smile every morning when she crawls into our bed and taps me on the nose.
Have fun at school baby girl!

First School Bus Ride

McLayne is starting 1st grade today. Last year she went to a private kindergarten, so this year is her first year to be able to ride the school bus. At first she said she wasn't going to ride it, but by the end of the summer she is excited to ride it, but asks why there are no seat belts or booster seats and why so many kids can share a seat....same questions I wonder! She was very excited today, the rain but a damper on walking to the stop, so we sat in the car and watched for the bus to arrive. I got a little teary when I saw her walk on, my friend and I looked at each other and quickly looked away because we both knew the tears were coming on. She got on and waved from the bus, so brave!
She is ready, after many years of being shy and cautious she has now much more outgoing. I'm happy she is a little stand offish, it definitely helps her in choose the right friends.
I'm a little scared for her today, a big school, a big classroom...wish I could peer in the window and see how she is doing. I'm not going to follow the school bus to school today either, even though I secretly want to.
Good Luck today M!

One Last Summer Trip to Grandma's House

The girls had been asking me for weeks if we could go to Grandma's again before school started, T had a quick trip planned so the girls and I jetted off to Ohio. The trip didn't start off well, our plane was delayed for hours in Baltimore due to bad weather, but the girls were so well behaved! Today is our last day here in Zanesville. We are sad to leave, but happy to be able to see T again.

The girls have spent hours riding bikes in Grandma's driveway and making all kinds of crazy creations in the backyard. My mom lives in town, but to my kids who live in a beach house with a very small yard, her yard is one filled with nature and all sorts of possibility.

Last night we went on a walk, on a hunt for deer as the girls call it, and we saw a Doe with a set of triplets..they were amazing, they just sat still in the grass and gave us a brief look. Marley couldn't hold the giggles in we were so close.

All good things must come to and end and this trip has reminded me that summer is almost over, as I watch my kids outside in sweatshirts this morning. I'm a summer mom, I don't look forward to the school year beginning...I guess I will start dreaming of our next years trips.

A Little Sibling Competition

T and I have been trying to get our two girls swimming for over a year now! We started swim america swim lessons two weeks ago and now both of them are swimming under water! Once Marley saw McLayne do it, she jumped right in and did it too! The lessons we take are based on system of reward when you pass a station. Both of my kids are all about doing what it takes to get that sticker, so off they went after a few days! It makes me realize how big they have gotten. McLayne is now asking her Daddy all about swim team....and for those of you who know McLayne, once she decides she is going to do something that is it! I'm still secretly hoping she turns out to be my tennis star, but whatever she decides I know she will be good at it. Marley is still being 4, mad that she can't do what her sister is doing, but I have no doubt that one is my little athletic maniac (just like her daddy)! One more day of swim lessons then we are going to enjoy our last month of freedom before M starts 1st Grade!!

6 Years Already!

My daughter McLayne turned 6 today. It just doesn't seem possible, I'm sure that is what most moms think, but it is so true. I can remember the entire day she was born, every moment from my water breaking to looking at her for the first time and saying "she has brown eyes". She has always been beautiful, those little round checks that my doctor just had to grab a hold of while she was laying on my belly moments after being born. She reminds me so much of her dad. It isn't just that she looks just like him, but she has his personality. She is very calculated. She thinks about everything before she does, she started this at a very young age. She always evaluates her surroundings making sure it is safe (from daddy for sure). She is an amazing girl, so grown up, not my baby anymore. We celebrated her birthday by meeting a few friends at the water park this afternoon. I was so proud of her going down the big slides and telling me "don't hold on to me". She used to be scared of the smallest thing, a moving toy dog barking....and now she is so brave. So sad to see her getting so big, but I'm also happy to see what a beautiful little person she has become. Happy Birthday M!

Surprise Arrival

I found out a few days early that T would be arriving the night of the girls spring program at school. I decided not to tell them because I have learned my lesson over the years that planes breakdown often when returning from overseas! He snuck in while the girls were on stage singing, he was worried Marley would run off stage if she spotted him walking in. McLayne noticed him first and just stared with no response, I saw her brain working, trying to figure out how her daddy was sitting in the audience. Then Marley finally spotted him, her smile was priceless..then came lots of waving!! After the program was over we picked them up from their classrooms and Marley wouldn't let go of him. McLayne was herself, no words..just warming up again. It's good to have our family back together again.

Together Again!

I have not emailed for a few weeks because we have been busy getting back in the grove. All military families have these crazy first weeks. Getting the kids to understand what Dad says goes and getting Dad back on our routine. We took a few days to get away from it all in the mountains where all we did was be together and enjoy the outdoors. Every military member needs a little down time when they return, this explains why T is already gone out of town again, but this time with friends to Canada on a Bear hunt. A well deserved vacation for him and a very close friend. Before leaving the girls decided to try on his gear and have a lesson in all sorts of animal calls. I think their daddy is hopeful that one of them will turn out to be a future hunter and archery master!! We are so happy to have T home safe and are looking forward to a summer filled with road trips, family reunions and lazy days at the beach.

More Tennis Photos!

A few extra photos for Grandma to track our tennis progress. Everyone asked if I had been practicing with them because both of their swings were great! They heard they only had one more lesson and were upset, so we signed up for another session:)

Quick Trip to the Park

After tennis this morning we decided to take a quick trip to the park before we get the many days of rain they are predicting. The girls were having a great time and we even went to the courts and hit a few tennis balls. I quickly learned that they listen to the tennis pro much better than they do me, even though I'm using the same instructions?! We are on countdown mode at our house, it is less than a week until Daddy returns. This normally brings much frustration to our house, only another military family would truly understand the whole process. The first two weeks of deployment are horrible, then you get into your grove as Mom and Dad, then the last week or two become horrible again. I think it is the anticipation of the return, it just can't get here soon enough even though it is less than 7 days away. My goal for the next few days is to stay busy with the girls and have fun! Lets hope my plan works.

Homecoming Countdown!

Nearing the end of a deployment is always exciting for any family including ours, it also makes us reflect back on why we have to be apart so often.  My husband as many others has chosen to serve in the military for over 17 years now.  He normally hears me complain mostly about how much he is gone, but I want him to know how very proud I am of him.  The girls are to young to truly understand his job and how important it is, so I simply just say "he is helping people" when they ask what he is doing.  I am so proud of all the things he has accomplished in his many years of service, most of those I cannot speak about, but also the small things he does everyday to keep us safe.  Special forces takes a certain kind of person, humble and strong and willing to get the job done.  I often tell people I can't wait to see what it will be like after retirement to have a so called normal life, but this is our life and is normal to us.  People ask me everyday how I do it, but I've never thought that way.  I've always known this is the life we had chosen and have been proud to do so.  I've seen my husband lose so many friends, and pick up and move on and continue to do what he has been trained to.  He misses his own girls many milestones growing up. I ask myself, how does He do it?  He is such a humble and loyal man, I'm lucky to have him.  I'm proud to be his wife and I know someday his girls will be amazed at the father they have!  

A Nature Hike

We have a wonderful state park in Virginia Beach where one side borders the bay and other side is full of amazing bike and hiking trails. We decided to venture off to a new trail this time, which we have named "the water trail". It has many bridges in and out of the swamp land, with many creatures waiting to be discovered.

Marley spotted the frog right away and we were amazed at how he looked the same color as the marshy water. McLayne was excited to stop at each marked post and take in the view. She also discovered the most amazing moss hanging from the trees at least 20 feet above us. I adore that my children love the outdoors, it reminds me of my days growing up on "skyline drive". I used to walk the creek that ran behind all the homes for hours with friends, getting muddy and discovering the beauty of untouched nature.

Easter Sunday

Remembering what is important, we spend out morning at church with friends. Then we went home for the Easter egg hunt, thanks to the Easter bunny and a little help from Auntie:) The girls had a great time running all over the back yard, but every other egg they would drop into the littlest one's basket at our hunt (18 month old)...so sweet!
Today we were thinking of what miracles have happened in the past (Jesus Christ), trying to define a miracle to my 5 year old...a little more difficult that I thought. We are thankful for so many things on this day, I'm thankful for the wonderful family and friends we have in our life. We are missing our daddy today, but we know he has a very important job to do, so we prayed for his safety and all those other soldiers far from home...We Love you T! Happy Easter.

Watch out Williams Sisters!

For those of you who don't know my little girls, my oldest is a very calculated child and she has figured out that group sports are a little scary and just not her thing. My little one who is four is just the opposite and is up for anything! She even says "I'm jumping out of airplanes with dad as soon as I'm old enough".

McLayne has decided that Tennis will be her focus sport, and anything she puts her mind to she usually does. So of course Marley said "okay" to playing tennis also.

Their first lesson was this weekend and they surprisingly did awesome. Since Saturday morning McLayne has been asking me to bounce her some more tennis. I was so proud of Marley because she really wanted to play soccer, but she gave tennis a try and said afterwards "I'm not going to give up".

Seeing them out on the court made me realize how grown up they are and how fun they really are at this age. I'm a proud mom of both of my amazing little girls.