Daddy's Home!!!!

Our Big event from yesterday. We received our phone call telling us that Daddy would be in on Sunday 0900. We were to be there 2 hours early. Yes we had a VERY long day with two kids that are not use to being up and around by 0600. WE made it on post to the family parking area. That is when we were loaded onto a travel bus that took us out to hanger 3. Where we would sit and wait until the large plane arrived with Daddy. This was the scene when we arrived. Many people were already there waiting talking and very excited that this day had arrived.

We found our unit and Riley picked out our seats. With so many new babies born over the summer the first row was filled with mommies babies and strollers. We sat in the second row with a group of older children that were a huge help to me with both my kiddos.

Here is Riley and Molly waiting for her Daddy.

Riley being silly and Brenden learning that it's fun to climb up the bleachers. Not so much fun for mommy who was chasing him up and down for an hour.
Knowing that we would be playing the waiting game for at least two hours. I brought a serival kit along that included food, toys, story books, coloring books and crayons. This was a huge success has we had many friends come and join us as the kids were playing.

Brenden sitting with one of his new friends he made that day.

The kids playing. They were wonderful sharing and being very careful that they did not drop the boys under the bleachers.
As we sat and waited we has the "voice of the eagles" announcing how far out the plane was from arriving at Ft. Campbell. It was nice to hear them say the plane is 15 minutes out you may join us outside. We were able to see the plane land and then taxi around to the stairs. The soldiers then listen to some customs guy talk and talk and talk as they can see their loved ones out the windows waving and screaming. Then the soldiers begin to file out of the plane and everyone screams and cheers. Lot of tears of joy begin. We all then are hearded bad into the hanger to wait for the soldiers to march in and listen to a welcome home ceremony that sounds like the Peanuts teacher talking. It's very hard to listen to when you just want to hug and kiss your soldier. Once that man was finished talking the soldiers were released for our hugs and kisses.

Brenden went right to daddy. Gave him a huge hug and snuggle him. It was very cute. He knew that this was his daddy.
It took Riley a little bit to warm up to her daddy. She was just excited to get to take him home. She did finally go to him and gave him a huge hug.

Daddy holding both babies. It was not so easy to hold both of them this time. They have grown so much since the last time he was home. He held them long enough for me to take this picture and he handed me Brenden.

My family all together.

We made it home around 1:30 - 2:00 after starting our day at 0700. It was a very long day. It's great to have Ben/Daddy home. The kids and I find that we have a hard to time not hugging him everytime in are in reach. Thank you to everyone who has supported us through each deployment. We are together again.

The Wait is Over.....

Ben made it home safe and sound this morning a little late but we are all home enjoying ourselves. The kids are enjoying their daddy being home and playing. The extra attention is wonderful for the both of them. We will have more pictures later so stay tuned. Thanks for all your thoughts and prays while we awaited for this BIG day. It was a long 15 months.

IT'S OFFICIAL.....

Ben WILL be home on Sunday 23 November at 0900. I just received the special phone call tonight at 2106 (9:06pm). Sunday will be a busy emotional day for us. We will all be together in about 36 hours. Yep that's right we are now counting down the hours to his safe return. I am VERY excited and can't wait for Sunday. We will have LOTS of pictures.

4 Days and Counting....

Well our waiting for daddy to return home from his 15 month deployment is almost over. I heard from him today and he stated to me that he should be landing here at Ft. Campbell on Sunday 23 Nov. around 0900. I have not received my official phone call from our Read D just yet but should be receiving that call on Friday to make it official. It's very hard to believe that Ben has been deployment since September 2007 and was on R and R in February 2008. It's been 10 months since I/we have seen him. It's crazy to think that we have been missing part of our family for so long. There will be lots of changes that happen when he comes home to adjust to having him home and for him to be around a preschooler and a toddler. It should be lots of fun. We will have LOTS of pictures of his welcome home ceremony and us together. So for those of you who are still counting its about 4 days away. We are super excited. Check back for more updates.

Move Over....

With daddy on his way home our bed has been taken over by the little people of the house. This happens often. I guess I am just too tired to take them back to their beds when they wake up in the middle of the night and its easier on mommy to let them snuggle me in my bed. Oops!! Our bed is not large enough to hold two adults and two little people. So we have about a week to break this bad habit or someone will be sleeping on the couch. HAHAHAHA!! (that would be mommy)

Just an add in of the dress I found for Riley to wear in February. She is not too happy about wearing a dress but I am hoping she will get over it by then and want to a pretty little princess. It's a little old for her but its going to look great.

Getting Closer....

Here in Clarksville, TN we have seen our popluation triple in the past week. Why? We are having mulitple flights of soldiers return home after a very long deployment. Many of our friends returned home yesterday. It was wonderful see them again but very difficult to explain to the kids why their daddy is still at work and answer the question "When is my daddy coming home?" This has been our favorite question for about three weeks. We are still in the dark about a date for Ben's return. It seems the closer we get to a rumor date it changes to a later date. The unknow is no fun and hard to explain to a little girl who misses her daddy. Hopefully we will have some good news soon. Right now we do know that Ben is working to help the other unit set up until the 15 and then they are to head south to Kuwait. How long they sit in Kuwait is a good question. At this point we are just hoping that he makes it home for Thanksgiving. We are hanging in there and will keep you all posted with what we know once it has been shared. Until then enjoy your weekend.

Bath Time Fun

Bath time at our house is the best time for the kids. They both enjoy playing in the water. Notice that Brenden has to take a bath by himself because he has learned to splash and Riley hates to be splashed. So thanks to him I get to clean the bathroom every other night after each bath.

Riley loves her new elephant towl. All her hooded towels were getting too short for her so we went out looking for a new towel for her. She loves elephants so she picked this towel. She is so cute.

Fall Day!!

Here we are enjoying a nice Tennessee fall day. Riley wanted to be a monkey and climb the tree but she would not explore once she was in the tree. But I was able to get a few good pictures of her hanging out.

Brenden wanted a turn in the tree after seeing Riley. So, as a brave mommy that I am, I put Brenden in the tree. He sat there a little nervous but I was able to get a few pictures of him too.

So Riley wanted to hold Brenden while they both sat in the tree. They were so close and had a great time playing outside.

Leaving hand in hand.

A visit w/ Jackson

During our trip to Michigan Riley, Jackson, and Brenden were able to play often. They are all outdoor kids which is nice until the weather changes and it's cold outside. But they were still able to enjoy a walk in the wagon with Papa. Here they are waiting to get started.

After a long walk and afternoon. The kids decided to play inside. Here they are using the clothes baskets as boats/cars. We only had two at first and Brenden wanted to play with the BIG kids so Jackson had Brenden share with him.
Then Nana came out with a third basket for each grandchild to have their own. Here they are playing. The older children learned if they rocked hard enough they could tip their baskets over. In this picture Riley is in the middle of a rock that landed her on the floor.

ALL the kids had a great time. It was a nice visit and fun to watch the kids play and get along. Can't wait until we are all together again.

Dance Lessons

Here is the dance lessons I think Ben gave to Brenden at some point on R and R. Brenden will dance to any music he hears. In the video he is dancing to the Noggon theme song. He loves to dance in church too. Yes this is the dance he does in church as well. It's very cute.

Halloween Fun

Happy Halloween!

The kids dressed up for their Halloween party. We had a great time. Brenden was a black puppy dog with white spots (handmade by me). He hated it at first. He was very upset but after sissy was dressed and we arrived at the party he was all about wearing his ears. I guess with everyone else dressed he decided it was ok too.

Riley was a pink butterfly. She has said that she wanted to be a pink butterfly for about 3 months. Thank you Nana for helping find the butterfly wings. They were not pink but she would only wear the green wings. I tried to get her to wear the red ones or even orange but they were not part of her costume. Only "green butterfly wings will work".

Here are is my puppy dog and butterfly ready to head out the door. Riley was trying to get Brenden to stand next to her but he just looked at her and then walked away after the picture was taken.



The Halloween party was a good time. The kids had lots of fun playing put-put golf into a jack-0-lantern and pin the nose on the pumpkins. Hope everyone had a fun and safe Halloween.

A Fall Day in Michigan

Well with just 6 weeks until Ben comes home, the kids and I made yet another much needed trip to Michigan. Both the kids and I needed some company and some love from the grandparents. The trip here was wonderful the kids did well. But the weather here is definitely cooler then in Tennessee. I was not ready to bring out the winter clothes but they were needed for this visit. Here our the kids enjoy the great outdoors at Nana and Papa's. I love the fact that they have a sidewalk so they can ride their bikes and scooters.

Riley pushing herself up the "hill". She is not strong enough to peddle just yet.

What a long ride to the neighbor's house.
Turning around at the neighbor's house.
Making her way back to to Nana's as fast as can be.
Using her feet as breaks.
Brenden wanting to go outside with sissy as he watches her ride her bike.

Lets go mom. I want to go play.

Riding Riley's bike. He needed a little help. I pushed him on the same path as Riley and he loved it with a big smile. Sorry there are more granddaughters in the family so he has to ride on a pink bike.

Riley riding her scooter while Brenden rides the bike.

Mommy and Riley helping Brenden ride the scooter. He watched Riley and Mommy both ride the scooter. I think he knew what to do because while I was pushing him he was pushing the scooter with his foot.

Brother and Sister walking hand in hand to get the red wagon to go for a walk.

It was a wonderful fall day.

I love Michigan's fall weather.

A Quiet Day

Brenden sporting his cowboy hat.

I think he looks a lot like Kenny Chesney.

Riley hanging out enjoying one of her cartoons.
We have had a quiet two days. Since we have learned more about Ben's return time is moving slow. The days use to be full of craziness and would move along. Now they are not so crazy and move very slow. I hope this does not last long and the days go back to normal soon.