February's here!

We're one month closer to having our daddy home again. It's been a rough go this past week as Sammy has been asking about him constantly. He wonders why daddy's doesn't call. And then he wonder's why I don't pick him up. At church he was amazed that the little boy sitting in front of us had a daddy. (sniff sniff) Sometimes this whole Navy thing really SUCKS!
Not to worry. We as a family keep our little Sammy distracted with game nights, road trips, dance competitions, and hikes. He's even making slides for the new microscope the kids got. I'm all for exploring the micro-world around us BUT I did have to tell him that he absolutely could not smear poop on the slide so he could see it under the mic. Even some things I WON'T do in the name of science.
I am keeping myself active too so I don't wallow in self-pity. My church calling keeps me busy. There's much planning, visiting, and praying required of me. I took online classes this semester to lessen the amount of time away from the children. But, I find that online classes take more time than the actual class room on campus! My CASA obligations are significant. I am gearing up for another season of triathlon training. And to top it off I am currently putting together an outline of a book that I want to write.
I am trying not to focus on end results and trying to appreciate the journey of getting there. Deployments are terribly hard. If I count down days til Justin gets home I'll have wasted a few good months of potential growth for both me and the kiddos. Deployments have been my refiner's fire. Through them I am tested and tried. Although I come out a little bruised and hot, I do shine a little brighter each time I come out of the kiln.

We pray for our new President

What a day it has been! The excitement is permeable in 0ur home as we watch the newly sworn in President Obama leave the inauguration ceremony. What a journey this past election was.
I started out as a Mitt Romney supporter. I have to admit that because I am LDS I supported him because I believe he's a good man with solid, righteous values. When he didn't win the Republican ticket I was troubled. I didn't want to support McCain because I got the impression that he was a good ol' rich boy with an agenda that was not my own.
I then studied each candidate. I read books and researched history on each one. I was most impressed with Barak Obama's history as well as his wife Michelle. They came from humble circumstances and embody that American dream of struggle and service and success. I liked that. So I decided to support him.
Boy what a rucus that caused in my family and in my group of friends. My own husband and I would get into heated discussions over who was the better candidate McCain or Obama. Yet one thing I love about Justin....he considers the "other" side. Although he felt a military obligation to vote for McCain, his personal beliefs and morals compelled him to vote Obama this election.
Now on this new day of hope for our nation, me and my family fully support our new president and his family. We will pray for him. We will pray for our miiltary. We will do our part to help him succeed in office.
I am profoundly grateful that Justin and I were on the right side of history when it happened. And it's been a wonderful experience to share it with our children. I can't even imagine what sort of world they will live in as young adults, parents and working Americans. But after today...I'm hopeful.

God Bless America. God Bless our President Barak H. Obama!

Happy New Year

The kids and I brought in the New Year very thankful that we live in a beautiful state and that we are all healthy. We did have a moment of silence for Daddy who is on vacation. Instead of eating our traditional shrimp and crab with garlic bread feast, we decided that we would wait til Dad gets back to enjoy that with him. We made our own pizza dough and each kid got to make their own personal pizza. Of course, there was cheese everywhere. By the time I got to make mine all the olives and pepperoni was gone! So I settled for a mushroom, cherry tomato with spinach pizza. I call it my FREAKING VEGETARIAN pizza. It was good though.
Resolutions this year:
ME - Learn to love God
DAD - Learn to laugh more
Christopher - Be nicer to siblings
Kaylani - Drink more water
Tai - No more hitting
Sammy - Quit picking nose
We'll see how 2009 goes for the Gays in Washington. When Justin returns we will attempt to go somewhere warmer. We are going to hop a MAC flight and go where ever it takes us. Pray we don't end up in Antarctica!