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.