**caution...cute but handle with care**

katie at about 13 months with one of her *looks*

so i need to mention this cause it's kind of funny, this morning kyle and katie were actually playing and laughing, and then within seconds i hear this yell comming from katie that i swear if she could talk she would of been swearing, then i hear kyle yell "NOO KADEE!" and then another cry from katie and then kyle's crying! what the...okay so i go over to check out what's going down and i actually see why kyle is crying...katie decided that she wanted something kyle had and when kyle took it away from her she actually HEAD BUTTED HIM(gently and on the back but still!) my *sweet* little 17 month old girl was beating up on her 4 year old brother! she then went to grab at him but i got involved and took her away as she was flailing to grab at kyle! the best part was as i picked her up she did that *swearing* yell at kyle again!

I have NO idea where she gets her fiestiness from, i'm just a bowl of peaches at all times, so i KNOW it's not me! ;)

by far my favorite D.I. finds

this is actually an enamel ware...enamel ware with flowers!!! i nearly fell over when i saw it!

i found these two plates this last time i went to D.I. they both together cost me less than $2! i also found a few other things, but i'm still tweaking them so i'll post when i'm done! have i mentioned i looooove having a girl?

dream house stalking and meals prepared

okay so this is the house that i've been looking at for about 3 or 4 years now, i drive by and look at it and just think it is soo lovely, i love the simplicity of it and i love the colors, love the shutters love the front door, so forth, and i have to admit this isnt the first time i've sat outside this house and taken a picture either, i'm sure it looks kind of freaky but really i just love the house, when i took jake to look at it, he said it look like a soap box. basically he didnt like it, but maybe if i add a wrap around porch then it would add some spice and then he would like it, now if only i can convince the owners to give it to me we would be set!

so i did it, made dinner that is, the kids all whined and complained till they tried it and then it was "oh it doesnt taste too bad!" gee thanks, i guess...baby steps i'll try something more exciting next!

kyle turns 4

all day long he would tell everyone that "today is MY birthday!" (we told him we were going to eat cake and celebrate the night before his birthday, but he still insisted to tell everyone that THAT day was his birthday...it's okay dude whatever you want!)

poor little guy his actual birthday was overshadowed by our farewell for jake, but we tried to make it a little special the night before at grandma and grandpa's house. kyle is a super cute adorable kid, who's scream is really loud for such a small child, i guess that's what happens when you have two older brothers and you have to defend yourself. he's a cuddle bug and is loved by everyone, anyone who knows him (adults that is) has had at least one time in their life when he just decides that he wants to be on your lap and just be happy as a clam there! he absolutley adores his older brothers, is dad's biggest fan, is mommy's little shadow, and starting to appreciate being an older brother to katie! we love you!

our final goodbye

jake with his mom and dad

our ever so excited selves
nate

daddy and katie
daddy and kyle
looking on to the airplane
my favorite picture

i don't know why they've dragged this process out so long, i would of much rather had a quick pull of the the bandaid instead of a little tug every couple of days or weeks, but now our actual "year" deployment begins. it was emotional to say the least, but the blessings at 5 am this morning made everything seem okay. we're suppose to be doing this at this time, i'm suppose to be here in this super small town while he is gone (when we prayed we were astounded that we were to pass up chicago, teaching at a medical school and doing research at the hospital, jake's dream job) my children were promised blessings that brought tears to my eyes, i was promised strength beyond my comprehession, all i have to do is ask for help from above, the words "He's waiting just for you to ask, and the blessings are there for you to have" we were all assured that life will go on, Heavenly Father knows of our needs, and is wanting to give us so much if i just ask for help. (i think i see a pattern here) i was also blessed with acknowledgement that i struggle quietly (well i guess i did till i just wrote it out!) and that i need to stop that and just ask for help. OKAY I GET IT! but anyways, it was wonderful.

all in all it was super busy after he left, i sat with all four children for over 2 hours at the militarynational guard headquarters just waiting to get a current ID card. the couple of soldiers kept apologizing for all the computer glitches that were causing the delay, as we walked away, they jokingly said "are you going to be alright? i mean we could watch them for a little if you need a moment" i looked at them smiled and said "i don't think you would last a minute, they would eat you alive, but thank you!" we all laughed and as i walked away i had a moment of "yeah, i'm super-mom" then it faded as the kids finally let loose and started running and yelling, fighting about who was going to pick the movie in the car, katie had had it and was not having the stroller again! and so forth. it wasnt till the drive home after BYU (signitures for jake's dissertation) while the movie had long been over and the kids were all nodding off that i did the cry, that ugly one, the one you are praying no one sees. it was brief it was fierce, and now i'm tired. i am going to bed, to sleep off the headache, and to welcome tomorrow morning 364 days left till my sweetheart comes home to us for good. one day at a time. with lots of prayers. thank you for your kind words, and prayers, and thoughts, we appreciate them!