Fun at the Spray Park...

Not really. Ella wasn't having it that day. She loved the spray park in Oklahoma...would beg me to take her there, but not so much here. I think it might have had to do with the fact that this spray park is much more crowded and she was a bit intimidated to go crazy and run around. She cared more about where her little sister was than standing under a giant squirting palm tree. But I was there taking photos nonetheless:)

Madeline loved it!

As well as Ethan!

Lucky

How lucky am I to have such a thoughtful husband? Before he left, he hid little notes all around the house for the girls and I to find. This one particular note makes my day every morning...it's hanging on the mirror...

Trying.

I am really trying hard to get used to Tom being away. For some reason, this time is a lot harder than last. I don't know if it's because we have two little ones now. Or because I am not in my element with my own house and my own world. Luckily, my mom helped me pick up the pieces today as I completely broke down. I just feel sad. Sad that my husband is away. Sad that Ella woke up yesterday saying she missed daddy. Sad because my pessimistic self keeps thinking "oh dear God I still have 363 days of this crap?" I am BLESSED beyond words that I have the most AMAZING family and friends here who support me and help me daily! I am not complaining about the lack of help...that's for sure. I am only lamenting...whining more like it...about not having my better, more patient half beside me everyday. I want to hug him and have him squeeze me back so badly. Deep breaths.

On a HAPPY note...how CUTE are these girls in their matching 4th of July dresses? My mom had made them when we were away dropping Tom off in GA last weekend. Seriously...her talent is incredible. Oh and let's focus on the adorable dresses and not Madeline's black eye. She pulled a table in the garage on top of her and cut her cheek open. Her first enormous shiner. She was a champ though. Still let me take some photos so I snapped away! Hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July! It's one of my favorite holidays, but this year...not so much:(

Another goodbye...

I don't think any of us are ready to say goodbye. Especially not our sweet Ella who feels like she just got her daddy back.

God Speed my love.

Life's a Beach

I have to say normally I am not a beach person. I love being at the beach, but I hate getting sandy and having it stick to me. I am terrified of big bodies of water and everything that lurks in there. I freckle easily so I am neurotic about sunscreen (we have been through 2 bottles of it in a month). I would much rather lay out at a hotel pool and stare out at the beach. BUT I know Ella loves the beach, the water and the sand so I went along with it. Turned out to be a perfect day. We laid out a big blanket and Madeline didn't venture off of it. Small miracle. I didn't have to chase her around! When I thought they had enough of the sun, we hit up Frenchy's for a yummy meal, cold drinks and lots of laughter. Our girls are forever making us laugh. I'm hoping it keeps me young:)

I promise she wasn't sunbathing. I wouldn't allow such a thing that young. This was more of a "someone pay attention to me sort of fit"

Yeah she was definitely the cutest baby on the beach.

Daddy's idea of babysitting.

Checkin' out the scenery.

Little beach bum.

Lunch with my babes

Simple

It's the simple things I am going to miss.

(must keep strong...must keep strong...)

Future Surfer Chick?

Anything is possible...

I love the sunshine state

I can't say that enough. I love Florida. I love the sunshine. I love the thunderstorms. I love how close we are to our families and friends. Our days are filled with birthday parties, playdates, beach trips, pool time, walks to the park, weddings, dinner dates...I definitely made the absolute BEST decision for me and the girls to move back here. I never realized just how lonely I was in Oklahoma until I moved back and now am constantly surrounded by loved ones.

An update on the girls:

Ella is all signed up for pre-school. She is going to go three days a week and she seems pretty excited about it. I am debating on signing her up for dance or gymnastics. I would like gymnastics, but what if she loves it and wants to do that forever and ends up with one of those weird gymnast bodies? I feel like dance would make her a little more graceful (she definitely takes after me in the klutz department). My beautiful cousin Sammie dances and she is AMAZING at it. I secretly want Ella to be JUST like her. She has made lots of new girlfriends...and quite a few cute little boyfriends as well;)

Madeline is 11.5 months old! CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? I am in denial. There is no way that she is going to celebrate her 1st birthday in a few short weeks. I want my itty bitty newborn back. She's been walking since 9.5 months and now of course she walks EVERYWHERE. And if you tell her "I'm going to get you Madeline" she will turn and try to run from you. She is my happy dollface and I can't kiss her cheeks enough. She's working on her language skills. Slowly, but surely. She says "uh oh" in context and she definitely says Ella, mama, and dada. I want to bottle up both girls and keep them these ages forever. Minus the hissy fits from Ella and the "I will eat anything you put in front of me" stage from Madeline...including bugs, dirt, small toys, rocks, ect.

I am only ok with time flying by if it makes the next year go by SUPER fast so we can have Tom back safe and sound in our arms.

Playdate with my awesome ADPI sis Nicolette, her firefighter hubby Steve, and her sweet girls Emerson and Annsley. Tom thinks she's the coolest because the playdate included beer, Crown Royal and the pool. Needless to say, the hubbies got along just fine;)

Madeline eating animal crackers (surprise surprise)

Beautiful Annsley! Look at that stinkin' cute 'kini!

Steve and Madeline having a very in depth conversation

Emerson...she's Ella's age and can swim across the pool. It was AMAZING to see! (apparently her dolly needs swim lessons though...)

Daddy and his babes

These were taken at Miss Lily's birthday party by my dad:) Mama and her girls having fun in the pool!

My gorgeous diamond sister (she was my little sis in ADPi) Courtney got married this month in Winter Haven. I loved being with my sorority sisters again.

A trip to Charleston for one of Tom's best friends who was married at the Citadel. It was a nice blast from the past to see the guys and to catch up!

Of course a photo by the F.

I love F-Troop!

Florida

Tom took 30 days of leave before he heads out so he can relax with us and enjoy some quality family time. The girls can't get enough of having their daddy home during the day and I am just soaking up every second we have as a family. Time is definitely moving too quickly and with only 20 days left before we say goodbye I find my anxiety creeping up on me...oh to not have a care in the world like my sweet girls...

Other than Tom's hair...how cute are these two??

Ella is our little fishy!

She's growing up too fast:(

This kid is my little sunshine.

Her smile makes me melt!

Goodbye Oklahoma...

Our last (and only) family photo in front of our first home. Taken five minutes before we left by the realtor.

and Hello Florida! We are finally settled into the house in FL. We moved home to be closer to family and friends while Tom spends some time (a year) playing in the desert. Considering he just returned from a year in South Korea, I wasn't thrilled with having to be alone again so soon. Besides, it's been almost seven years since I have been anywhere near my family. Now that I have children it's even more important to be around them so everyone can watch them grow (in person, not just on the computer...imagine that!)...and babysit them. (hehe)

Leaving our home of almost five years was very bittersweet. I definitely shed more than my share of normal tears as we packed up our very first home. Many precious memories came to mind as I looked around at the packed boxes and thought about the day we found that house. It wasn't completely built yet, but we saw it and knew it was meant to be our first home. It was a big house for the two of us and...10 months later little Ella was born;) We brought both of our baby girls home from the hospital to that house. We lost our sweet Riley in that house...my saddest memory.

There were endless summer days of sidewalk chalking the driveway, riding bikes, running through the sprinklers, planting the gardens. There were cold winter days playing in the snow or slipping along on the ice in the brutal ice storms. No matter how good or bad there are so many memories I will treasure forever. When Tom moved me to Oklahoma from Germany, I cried upon our arrival to Lawton. I couldn't believe I went from this amazing European country to a city that didn't even have a Target to shop at. But in five years I learned a lot about myself in that little city. We made a beautiful family there, grew stronger as a couple, and realized no matter where the Army sends us, we will always make it our home.