Mother's Day, 2013

Well, here we are nearly half way done with this year apart. It would be silly of me to say that time has flown by because it hasn't flown it has merely steadily marched on. Emily and the girls are doing well. At least as well as can be expected considering they are having to live without their husband and father for twelve months.
The deployments are definitely not easy on Joshua. He has missed a lot since he has been off protecting the free world. E has learned to ride a bike without training wheels despite being just over five years old. A is doing her best to catch up to her big sister and is fearless on her training bike. B has gone from taking a couple of wobbly steps before he left to flat out running around the house. And there is a cat. That's right, a C-A-T, CAT! Things will definitely be a little different when Joshua comes back for his two weeks of R&R, but, as always happens, he will fall back into the routine nicely and it will be like he wasn't even gone (until he has to go back for his last six months that is. . .).
There are many military wives and mothers alone this Mother's Day. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

Ladies and gentlemen, she's mobile

Biv was dragging/scooting herself around the floor pretty decently a week ago. 

Here's a lame glimpse of her in action.

Today she started full blown crawling. Hands and knees moving and everything. 

This second video shows you a bit of that. 

Biv is 7 months and 2 weeks.  

I think I took that gate in front of the stairs down a bit too early...

AJ is 3!

She was an easy pregnancy.  She was a glorious birth.  She was on a sleeping schedule from about 4 weeks on.  She's been a breeze since the day she was born.  

And now she's Three!

She asked if we could go to Cracker Barrel for Breakfast.

They love this place.

Then it was a low-key cake and gifts celebration.

I sure love that girl.

When asked if she wanted to eat cake for open gifts first, she chose cake.

I sure love these three girls.

Time for the gifts!

This one is from The Man.  The Wife was the proxy purchaser.

Next gift is from EV and Biv.

I'm glad she had a great birthday and our whole family is so blessed to have her as a part of it.

First Day of School

First Day of School! Here we go, we're ready to learn to get some knowledge!

That's about how excited EV was this morning (and last night and the days leading up to today).

Look at my big girl!

AJ wasn't all that interested in a photo...

When did this happen?!?!?!

Can anyone tell me?

Just yesterday she was...

This!

There she goes!  The school nurse came and scraped me off the floor.  Apparently I passed out.

Not really.

I think...

Sea World

The Man got to come home from training to pick up his car so we made the most of the quick visit and took EV and AJ to Sea World (Biv stayed with Grandma).

The Man snuggling and feeding Biv before we left.

 The girls were SO excited he was home to go with us!

(Nevermind that random girl behind EV)

Delicious Shamu Ice Creams during Azul (our favorite show!)

It was such a great day!

EV is 5!

She awoke in the morning and was so excited for her party. I cuddled with her and told her happy birthday. "I'm not 5 yet, mom."
"Yeah, you are. You were born super early in the morning so you're 5 now."
"No, mom. I'm not 5 until they sing."
I started to sing but she wasn't having it.
"Are you not 5 until you blow out the candle?" I asked.
"That's right."
Her friends came by and helped her celebrate with a BRAVE themed party. Afterward she told me it was the most awesome party! I'm bummed Big Lew missed it as he's in training but she had a great day, nonetheless.