:( And he's gone...

As with every hello, there has to be a good-bye. Even if it's just a 'good-bye for now'. We had to bring daddy back to the airport this week. (insert huge crocodile tears). This has to be the hardest part of military life. All of the send-off's, good-byes, hails and farewells to friends who move to their next duty stations...seems we are constantly saying it. I knew it was coming, but it doesn't make that dreadful feeling any better. It lingers for days, in the back of my mind. I actually did really well until it came time for that final hug. That final kiss. Then I cried. Tom gave me his usual whisper "Be strong little root" that he always says during these times, and no matter what, it helps to bring a smile to my face. He started saying that to me in college when he would have to return to the Citadel.

I know this good-bye was a lot harder on him than ever before. He has such a bond with his girls. They adore him. Leaving them must be unbelievably painful. When he came out of the bedroom dressed in his uniform Madeline smacked his leg and yelled "No!" and ran into the room and shut the door. (keep in mind she's only 20 months). But she knows what that uniform means...daddy is leaving once again. Ella stayed quiet for the rest of the day after we dropped him off at the airport. It effects all of us and it's never easy. But we get through it. We always do.

It's time to put on my happy face for my girls and do what I do best: love them, love and support their daddy and keep on keepin' on.

Before we left for the airport

And in typical Tom fashion, he left us all sweet notes. I found mine when I opened my car door.(insert more crocodile tears) Ella found hers on her pillow and Madeline even found one in her crib. I needed that note more than he could imagine:) 

NPR Date Night

Tom took me on an honest to goodness perfect NPR date night before he left. We had dinner at Hooters on the water with our families and then we went to see Hunger Games at the local movie theater. Ain't he so sweet? At Hooters, I was taking some pictures of Tom with the girls and my mom took a few of us...this is the result:

So sweet

This is my "Can you just be serious for 2 seconds, babe?" pose.

I'm pretty sure he had his eyes on a Hooter's waitress in the first pic.

I just love this picture. This is SO us. Haha. 

Easter Bunny!

Am I the only parent who finds the Easter bunny THE creepiest character of all time? I'd rather my kids sit on the lap of Skeletor or hell even Freddy Krueger seems less scary. Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration. There is just something about a giant rabbit walking around with that weird grin on it's face. BUT as Ella just overheard me talking about the bunny being creepy, she reprimanded me and said "hey, don't say anything bad about the Easter Bunny. I love him." Whoops! That kid needs a set of earmuffs;)

At least we didn't have to travel to the nearest mall and waste our time in line for photos. The bunny came right to Ella's classroom and the effect was all the same.  The girls got to sit on his lap, have an ice cream social, and play on the playground. Easy enough for this mama!

My Beach Bums

I have yet to regret moving home to FL this year. Sometimes I get frustrated and wish for my own space again, but the truth is, I love this state. I love being surrounded by family and friends. If I could live here forever I probably would. Soon, we will be landlocked and the only trips to the beach we will be taking is when we look back at these blog posts about the sun and sand. We took the girls to Clearwater Beach during R&R and it's obvious I am raising a couple of beach bums here. My little Oklahoman babies have adjusted very well to life here in the sunshine state.

Madeline tortured her daddy the whole time like this. Better him than me;) 

Best snack for the beach: Watermelon on a stick!

My Loves

Madeline was as big as that little wave;)

I love this girl. Making sand angels.

Stroll down memory lane...

This is where it all started...where Tom proposed to me back on Aug 2, 2003. I love when he comes up with really sweet ideas and taking the girls back here after the aquarium is definitely one of them.  I'll never forget pulling up to this park and looking at a gazebo completely lit up with candles and roses scattered everywhere. I'll never forget how handsome Tom looked or how I about fainted when I saw the ring he put on my finger. Bringing our girls to this spot meant a lot to me...to see how far we've come from a newly engaged couple to where we are now...it's a beautiful thing. It's important for our girls to grow up and see their parents in love, being affectionate and to know we love them more than anything in the world. They'll have to endure seeing us hold hands, hug and kiss for a long, long time! (No matter how many times we have to hear Ella say "ewwww stopppp!" ;)  One day, I will want the same happiness for them as well.

I would have loved to have taken better pictures on the gazebo, but it's under construction. And for good reason...the whole thing looks like it could fall down at any moment! Sad:(

The area has since built a nice playground

Daddy's girls!

The pier there is gorgeous!

I love this shot of them!

Florida Aquarium

Venturing out with both girls is never easy no matter how many people there are to help. But for some reason, when Tom is with me, it just seems easier. He is definitely my more calm, patient half.  I actually ENJOY taking the girls places when he's around to help! The Aquarium was a lot of fun. The girls seemed to love it. Ella was certainly hesitant with anything alive that she could put her hand in a tank and pet. Needless to say, we didn't pet any sting rays that day. She barely touched the starfish before telling me "this is gross mom!" She completely takes after me with nature. We have a love/hate relationship for it. :) And as always, the girls didn't want to leave so in order to maintain their smiles, daddy bought them a few prizes from the gift shop. (Spoil much, Tom?)

Daddy...

...is way more fun than Mommy is.

What a saint Tom is for allowing Madeline to give him a pedicure. He was cleaning blue nail polish off for awhile.

Such a cute dad:)

Yeah, he wins. Mommy would never attempt this.

Busch Gardens

Gosh, it's been YEARS since I went to Busch Gardens. It was way before I had kids. As a matter of fact, I called my BFF Bridget and asked her if they still had the awesome dolphin show there. She laughed at me and said it's been closed for a long time. We decided to take advantage of the Hero Salute and spend a day at Busch Gardens for free. Thank you Anheuser-Busch for supporting the troops! We had a fun family day and the girls definitely didn't want to leave. Tom quickly silenced any whining with a trip to the gift shop and stuffed tigers for everyone 4 and under;) 

For my ADPi ladies:)

Anyone else sense a little trouble brewin' with those two driving a car one day? Yikes!

Soaked from the flume ride....Madeline not wanting to give up the popcorn even while sleeping...and then watching her big sister on a ride she was a tad bit too short for:(