Halloween Fun

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I was actually DREADING today . . . .Halloween.  I know it is supposed to be that fun day, once a year when we carve pumpkins, get dressed up in our Halloween costumes and walk the neighborhood trick-or-treating.  But, this would make the fourth Halloween that I've had to do it without Brian.  It's not just the fact that it's hectic getting pumpkins carved, seeds soaking, getting 2 children dressed and walking out the door with a smile, loading and unloading them from the van OVER AND OVER, and more.  It's that it's another holiday without Daddy! It's one more time doing it alone.  I know those of you reading this that have never had to do it alone don't really understand how lonely it is.  I think I was also dreading it because it was the "first" of many things that I will be doing without Brian for the next year. 

Ok, my 20 second pitty party has now come to an end!  I promise to do this no more than once a week!!

Brogan and Ainsley both had a blast tonight!  It was the first year that Brogan was really into the trick-r-treating by running up to the doors, ringing the door bell, and saying "trick-or-treat" when they answer the door.  He didn't even worry about the candy that was going into his bag until we were almost done and he picked a sucker out of one candy bowl.  From then on, he was on a mission for suckers!!  Ainsley was such a big sister tonight.  She held Brogan's hand and walked him to the doors.  She made sure he didn't take too many pieces of candy and got him back to the van safely.  I was very proud of her tonight!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween!!  Now, off to hide some candy so they don't eat it all in one night!!

0345 Wake-up again - This is Great!!

The title was posted on Brian's facebook wall on Sunday!  Can't you just read the excitement in his typing!!  When we talked on the phone I asked him why they felt the need to begin the day so early.  "We're the Army honey.  We get more done in our day before most people even wake up!  They also want us at chow by 0500." I think maybe they are already getting them ready for the time change and the hot hours of working from 0100 to 1100.  (I think it sounds more "military" if I put all the times in military!  Do I really know what time I'm talking about?  Not without counting!!)

Happy Birthday Nana

Temporary Home . . . . . Indiana

Brian made it to Indiana early this morning.  I'm assuming they are unpacking today and will start their training and classes tomorrow.  It sounds strange, but I think he's just ready to get to Kuwait to set up his stuff and get started on his mission so he can get HOME.

Pillowcases - a Deployment tradition in our house

When Brian deployed to Kuwait in 2004, Ainsley and I painted a pillowcase for him to sleep on each night.  I had these wonderful visions of painting her hands and making a pillowcase filled with her cute, chubby 1 year old hands, but Ainsley had better plans for that paint and her hands.  She PAINTED!!  The paint was even glow in the dark so Daddy could even see our love in the middle of the night.

Well, that pillowcase made it through his first deployment and Daddy still sleeps with it on his pillow each night.  Now, the other pillowcase that we made with iron-on pictures of Ainsley - that one didn't fair too well!  He actually woke up the first morning in Kuwait after using the pillowcase with iron-on transfers STUCK TO HIS FACE!!  Wish I had a picture of that morning!!

I knew I wanted to keep up with the tradition and make Daddy a new pillowcase to include Brogan.  Yesterday, we bought the paint and pillowcases and tonight we PAINTED!!  We made a pillowcase for Daddy, one for Sissy, and one for Brogan.  We all had lots of fun decorating each other's pillowcase.  I think they turned out pretty cute!!

So, for the next year, as we rest our heads each night on our painted pillowcases we can all remember the fun night we had TOGETHER as a FAMILY.  We can remember cringing as Brogan decided to add a little more 'character' to each of our drawings, or laughing at Daddy who was grossed out painting his hands, or smiling at Ainsley and thinking about how much she's grown since the last time we painted pillowcases.  Each night as we go to sleep on our pillowcases, we can once again, be together.  We can meet each other . . . . in our dreams!

Tonight is our last night to be TOGETHER for a long-time.  Brian and I have already talked about "not wanting the night to end", but we know time marches on and morning will be here at the same time tomorrow as it was today.  So tonight and each night we are apart, we'll say a prayer to hold our family closer even though we have miles between us.  We'll say prayers to keep each family member safe.  We'll say a prayer to keep our family strong.  We'll say a prayer to keep the 299 soldiers of the 778 HET Co. safe.  And most importantly, we'll say a prayer to bring Brian HOME!!

Please keep Brian, our family, and the rest of the 299 soldiers and families of the 778 HET Transportation Co. in your prayers.  May we all stay safe and strong.

Ali Mocabee or Rik Andes

If you are interested in learning more about Ali or Rik's photography business, please email me.  They both have a referral program that offers a free product or discount to both the "old" customer and the "new" customer.  So, if you book with them - be sure to mention my name!!!  Thanks

Goin' on a Bear Hunt

Brogan was singing "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" to Papa on our way to Salina on Saturday.  Be sure to go to the bottom of the page and stop the playlist so you can hear the movie . . . .ENJOY!!

FAMILY PICTURES

Last month, before Brian left for Salina, we went to Manhattan for a quick family getaway.  While in Manhattan we had the priveledge of having our pictures taken by the talents of Rik Andes and Ali Mocabee. 

Rik took the kids' pictures last year, so we knew we wanted to return to have him take our family pictures this year.  I will have to post them as soon as I get a link to them.

Ali works with an organization called OPERATION LOVE: REUNITED that offers free photography to families of deploying soldiers.  Here is the link to our pictures with Ali.  We are SO EXCITED for these pictures . . . . . we hope you enjoy!!

Click on Ali's name to go to her website to view our family pictures.  Ali Mocabee

Daddy's Home

Daddy made it home after a month in Salina for training.  Nana, Papa, the kids and I all went down on Saturday to have supper with Daddy.  It was WONDERFUL to see Brian.  The kids were SUPER EXCITED to see their Daddy!

We had an eventful check-in at the Ramada and then ended up at Best Western for the evening.  It's a long story, so I'll have to tell you later.  I did get a discount at the liquor store and had a nice glass of wine to help cool my temper. 

On Sunday morning, we went to the Bi-Centennial center for the 778th Deployment Ceremony.  Brian's parents, Grandma Thummel, Connie and her family, Cheryl and Megan, and 2 of his Uncles came down to watch the ceremony.  The Patriot Guard and the VFW Freedom Riders escorted the convoy and also had a flag walk for the soldiers.  It was nice to see so many people come out on a Sunday for our soldiers.  Brian had several people who have served with him before come up to him after the ceremony and acknowledge his service.  It always makes me proud to say, "That's my husband." when I see that.

We ate lunch with my family and Brian's family in Salina before heading home for the day.  Brian will report back on Thursday.  His unit will then report to Camp Atterbury, IN for almost 4 weeks.  We hope to get to see him at Thanksgiving, but we are not for sure.  The next 4 days could be our last for the next year.

It was wonderful waking up to him in bed . . . . . ok, so it was a little crowded because Brogan was in between us and I had MAYBE 3 inches of the bed while the two of them were sleeing comfortable and roomy!!  Just like old times!!  Hopefully by the time Brian comes home from deployment Brogan is sleeping in his own bed . . . . . I'm not going to hold my breath!