Easter Egg Hunt at the Park

Camryn's Birthday

Boot Camp Graduation

The Chocolate Man

We were eating dinner at Mimis cafe, Dallas was looking around at everything.  He looked at me and said, "hey mom look at that chocolate man, you know like the factory."  He was looking at a statue of a black man playing a trumpet.  He also saw a rooster hanging upside down and his comment was, "look at the huge rat."

10 WEEKS!!!!

It is 10 weeks today since Wes signed his life over to the army.  He has done really well and is graduating on April 2nd.  I finally get to see him and I can't wait.  He has survived the gas chamber, 7 mile hikes carrying 40 pounds and complete exhaustion.  His final camp out they hiked over six miles slept outside on the sand while it poured.  The only shelter they had was a poncho hung over a string.  I am so proud I never thought he would actually do things like that.  My last phone call I told him he was getting so manly/masculine and he said "You didn't think I already was."  I never considered him to be a rugged out doorsy kind of guy.  I can't wait to see him in his uniform, I can't really picture it yet.  But I have heard there is something about a man in a uniform.  

For me that sad/lonely army wife all I can say is I am surviving.  We have a lot of good days.  We stay busy with friends which helps a lot.  I have turned to food for all joy and fun.  Being with the kids 24/7 (seriously they sleep in my bed even) is interesting.  I haven't had any major melt downs and I find myself adoring them everyday.  They both say the cutest things and I love being with them.  I still wish I had time to myself but that is coming in one week when I go to Fort Benning.  Being separated like this has its good side.  We write sweet letters to each other and it feels like we are dating again.  I wait around all day on Sundays for my 20 minute phone call and cry every time I have to say good bye.  All we want is to be with each other I even get butterflies when I think about seeing him.  I will never get used to him being gone.  Dallas and Camryn give me lots of love.  Several times a day Dallas says, "I like you mom."  Camryn watches me like a hawk she just needs me in the same room at all times.  Dallas is getting into such a cute phase where he says really funny things and make interesting observations.  Camryn is growing up and all on her own has started potty training.  If only I was as ready as she is.  We all miss Wes but we are all very proud of him and we are making the best of the situation.

The many faces of Camryn

Life so far....

Wes has been gone for over two weeks and it feels more like months.  My kids are still alive and I am not crazy yet.  We keep busy.  I baby sit two days a week and we have play dates almost every other day.  Dallas is doing pre-school now with a group of other kids from church.  I have now had to adapt to taking the kids with me where ever I go.  I don't like it.

Dallas embarrassed me at blockbuster the other day.  He was very persistent in wanting some candy and for some reason we were in a long line and had to wait forever.  I didn't want him to have any because I know if he gets some just one time he will want some every time.  So he changed his begging from "can I have this or this" to "what candy has my name on it."  That was because I told him they weren't his candy to take.  This went on for 10 minutes.  Eventually a man behind me tapped my shoulder and said he had a quarter so Dallas could have a gum ball.  My response was "I  have a lot of quarters but I just don't want him to have any."  From that it was very clear he was driving everyone crazy.  Another man said he was meant for a sales career because of his persistence and negotiating.

Speaking of negotiating, Dallas was eating dinner at a friends house which is always a battle.  He only eats about five different things so when he was given a turkey sandwich the battle had begun.  He wanted to play a spiderman video game but the mom said he needed to eat first.  He hid his food on his chair, tried to pawn it off on Camryn but finally he negotiated.  He said, "how about I eat your dinner tomorrow and play the game now."  He didn't get to play.  He lost.  On the way home he said, "mom I hate turkey."

Camryn is a DIVA!  She has become very bossy and demanding.  Most people think she is so cute and sweet.  Don't judge a book by its cover.  She loves to pretend to put on make up and wear jewelry and you can tell she thinks she looks awesome.  She is still my baby though.  I basically wait for the mail to come every day and so far have received nothing from Wes.  I am always by my phone but I haven't heard anything in over a week.  Such is the life of an army wife.  That still sounds so weird to me but its reality.    

Army All Star High School Football Game