Such a nice Christmas

What a beautiful Christmas morning view of the mountains!

Reading the Christmas story.

Opening presents from Uncle Keith and Aunt Amanda while talking to Daddy. We sure missed him, but are so thankful for the technology that allowed us to spend a little bit of Christmas morning together.

Elsa and Uncle Joe playing Twister. This brought back a lot of memories since Mommy and her cousins played Twister every Christmas until they were about 25!

I had lots of fun playing with my Mississippi second cousins, Aaron and Wesley.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and we wish all of you a blessed New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 1:23

And an angel of the Lord appeard to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ, the Lord.
Luke 2:9-11

And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
Luke 1:14

Singen bei Evan und Kind

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Alles schlaft; einsam wacht
Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.
Holder Knabe im lockingen Haar,
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!
Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Hirten erst kundgemacht
Durch der Engel Halleluja,
Tont es laut von fern und nah:
Christ, der Retter ist da!
Christ, der Retter ist da!

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,
Gottes Sohn, o wie lacht
Lieb' aus deinem gottlichen Mund,
Da uns schlagt die rettende Stund'.
Christ, in deiner Geburt!
Christ, in deiner Geburt!

Merry Christmas from Evan and Elsa!

I give it my all, even when I don't know the words!

We're taking this show on the road next year!

Sweets

To see you when I wake up
Is a gift I didn't think could be real.
To know that you feel the same as I do
Is a three-fold Utopian dream.

You do something to me that I can't explain.
So would I be out of line if I said "I miss you?"

I see your picture.
I smell your skin on
The empty pillow next to mine.
You have only been gone ten days,
But already I'm wasting away.
I know I'll see you again
Whether far or soon.
But I need you to know that I care,
And I miss you.


~I Miss You by Incubus

Elsa's birthday!

Today is Elsa's 4th birthday! We had a lot of fun celebrating with her!

We belted out Christmas carols while Aunt Katy played the guitar.

We also made gingerbread houses. I thought the best part was eating all the pretzels until I got home and accidently broke my house and realized that it is edible, too! Yummy!

Daddy's Favorite Christmas Carol

Come they told me,
pa rum pum pum pum
Our newborn King to see,
pa rum pum pum pum
Our finest gifts to bring,
pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the king,
pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum

So to honor Him,
pa rum pum pum pum
When we come.

Baby Jesus,
pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too,
pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring,
pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give a King,
pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum

Shall I play for you,
pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum?

Mary nodded,
pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time,
pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him,
pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him,
pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum

Then He smiled at me,
pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

A Parent In Many Ways

Being away from Evan all this time is starting to hit me. Not all at once, but rather in little instances. I'm not sure if it because I miss singing Christmas carols to him, reading a book or just horsing around. But I do miss him; and number two as well. We've never met, but the longing is still there. I miss being a parent. It is hard to be a parent 5000 miles away. Its hard to be a parent 0 miles away. How do parents do it? Is it instinct? Is it love? Is it the basic human desire to bring forth goodness in the world and leave it a better place that the way you found it? I've thought about it many times. God gives us the strength and the wisdom to see that we are not just parents to our children, but also to our community. Mark 13:1-9, the parable of the sower, tells us how the farmer planted his crop in good soil and it produced "a hundred, sixty, thirty times what was sown." Jesus spread the word of God as a farmer spreads seed; some listened and some did not. Those that listened spread the word of God amongst others.

We are sowers too. I had a conversation with one of my soldiers the other night about his future career plans; some included the Army, some plans did not. I gave him advice; some questions that he had to answer; guidance on how he should proceed. Did I know that I was sowing the seed for him to develop, to grow, to be a better member of society; so that he can pass on the knowledge that I passed to him? So that he can pass it onto others who end in the same position he finds himself in now? Is this parenting? Of a 26 year old? Is this mentoring? Is there a difference? Do Holly and I not guide Evan in the same way - especially as he grows out of daipers and begins to think on his own. We frequently tell Evan that he has to make the right decision. He knows that one action will result in reward, while the other will result in discipline. We are ensuring that our seed is sown in good soil and bears fruit. Another Soldier does not want to learn a particular part of her career field, yet we force her to do it. She needs to learn it or she will never grow and be able to manage the people that work under her later. Holly and I force Evan to put his toys away or act a certain way because he must be able to do those things later in life.

I think of these things because I have recently assumed a job that requires me to be more of a leader than ever before. More people are depending on me to guide them in the right way to get the mission accomplished. They look to me to the be the quintessential example of what "right" looks like and to give them the right guidance to be effective. Despite my best efforts to avoid it, my leaders have forced me to accept this new responsibility to make me grow; so that the seed the Army has planted grows forth in good soil and bears fruit a hundred-fold. Do my leaders love me? Do I love my Soldiers? Not in the literal sense; however, we all have a vested interest to ensure that fruit continues to grow for the good of our Army.

Our Chaplain posted Proverb 22:6 during our latest Commander's Update Meeting. The Proverb reads: "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he shall not turn from it." Saying this to a bunch of fathers away from their children for a year brought many jeers. Many did not understand, I included, that he wasn't only refering to the children that we miss so much at home, but he was also refering to the "children" that we lead, guide, and mentor here. It took me a while to realize it - but just as my Soldiers need guidance from me and I need guidance from my boss, Evan & baby need it to. I love being a parent. I love being a child. I love the feeling of knowing that I made the world a better place; that the seeds that I sow will grow forth a hundred-fold, whether it be my 2 year old or my 26 year old. I cherish that God has given this to us.

Lord thank you for giving us the ability to affect the lives of others. Grant us the strength to grow our relationships with loved ones so far away for so long of a time. Lord, thank you for making me a parent to so many and for those parents of mine who have made sure the seed that is me was sown in good soil. May my life be for Your glory. Amen.

In a land far, far away....

Daddy took a vacation to Miami! Bienvenidos!

Just kidding.
Daddy's not that fortunate to leave - he's still enjoying his one-year sentence to the Camp Liberty prison. Insha 'Allah.


This fence keeps the riff-raff out.


I found one! An oasis in the desert.

Helping to keep Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder at bay one week at a time.

The Hanging Gardens of Babylon?

Nope, just your friendly Iraqi junk shop - complete with bronze lion.

We love technology. Even though Dad is 10 time zones away, we can still get together to jam.

More Santa Fun

Santa rides a firetruck around our neighborhood every year. Definitely a fun perk of living in a small town!

Storytime with Santa

Satsuma Train

Fun With Elsa

Video 1: Skipping
Video 2: Winding down after LOTS of jumping on the mattress while Uncle Joe was trying to pump it up

So much to be thankful for...

After a nice Thanksgiving dinner with Great Grandma, we spent Thanksgiving weekend at Aunt Katy and Uncle Joe's house.

Elsa and I jumped in puddles.

And we jumped on the bed.

Thursday and Friday were beautiful. We took advantage of the sun to take a walk along the water. There's not a lot that's prettier than the Northwest on a day like this!

Elsa lives near a fun park. We rode our bikes there.

Thanksgiving morning swing!

Presents for Daddy

It seems that I think about Daddy and what he might need or like all the time. When we get out the Halloween candy, a piece goes in Daddy's box. If there's an extra napkin on the table, it goes in Daddy's box. He even got a partially eaten mint. Here I am carefully taking a spoonful of my yogurt to his box. Mom intercepted me before I got there in order to put the yogurt in a plastic bag. After I was finished with my yogurt, Dad got the spoon, too. Mom later convinced me to wash the spoon and save it here so that Daddy and I can use it together when he comes home to visit this winter, and I'm pretty sure that bag of yogurt won't actually get sent all the way to Iraq, but hey, it's the thought that counts!

Little Lion

This is to prove that despite their distance, Daddy and Uncle Keith have not lost their influence. Mommy even let me wear the jersey to church! (Not the jeans.) Of course, that may have had more to do with keeping me clothed then the fact that it's football Sunday. She still won't let me watch the games, though.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Here's a picture of our favorite veteran! Please take the opportunity today to thank a veteran for their service and sacrifice, and don't forget to say a prayer for the thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines that are currently serving in harm's way. We'd like to say a prayer of thanks for our special friends in Afghanistan (SFC Michael Cade and CPT Bradley Ritland) and Iraq (Daddy, Cousin AWF2 Jon Bennett, CPT Mandy Benko, CPT Jessica Tomazic, LTC Erica Clarkson, CPT Matt Greb, MAJ Wendy Miklos, MAJ Eric Aguila, SGT Mark Mansanarez, and SSG William Seeley). We are looking forward to everyone's safe return home!

Oma came to visit! Mommy had to work the entire time she was here, and Oma took such good care of me. We had a great time!

We love the together time!

Driving to Arizona!

Meeting Emma

Mommy and I really enjoyed meeting Emma this weekend. Emma and I played at a fun kids' corner while Mom caught up with her dear friend, Miss Janie. The visit was too short, but hopefully it won't be long before we see them again! (P.S. Thanks for the picture, Jane!)

Happy Halloween!

I forgot--what am I going to be again? A fireman? A crab? A pumpkin?

Ahhh, a crab!

This is a lot of fun!

I was a little shy and didn't shout out "trick-or-treat" like the other kids (except I loved saying it to Mommy), but right away I got the hang of "Happy Halloween!" and "Thank you!" That made Mom very proud.

Cute, but bittersweet, quote of the day

Mom's turn--Evan has been webcamming with Adam once a week. He knows and says that "Daddy is at work in Iraq." This morning as I was getting Evan dressed, we were talking about trick-or-treating tomorrow at our neighbors' houses. Evan knows exactly which neighbors we are "visiting", and he was listing where we are going. Our next door neighbor, Matt, is deployed with Adam. When Evan said we are going to Sarah's house (Matt's wife), he said, "But no Matt." I asked if he remembered where Matt is. Evan replied, "With Daddy. In the computer."

I miss my Daddy

Zoo Day!

What a gorgeous day! To celebrate, Mom and I went to the zoo! We had the place all to ourselves--just us and the animals. All was well until a crow ate my sandwich. I was NOT happy about that, but I recovered quickly and enjoyed the rest of the day.

Family Band

Tent Band

Grandpa and I had a band my tent. We make lovely music together.

Did you know you can get THREE people in here?!

Pumpkin Patch

It's pumpkin time! Mom and I cannot be deterred by a little rain. We enjoyed our day at the local pumpkin farm just as much as if the sun had been out.

We went on a hayride! I've been asking for this for a couple weeks!

We waited through a downpour to take our turn on the tractor animals. This was my second ride. I went with Grandma a couple weeks ago.

Yummy! Roasted corn.

I took Mom through the ENTIRE pumpkin patch to find our gem. What a fun day!

Daddy's First Pictures

Daddy is on another business trip. Here are some pictures that he's shared with us:

Daddy in a Helicopter - On a trip to help one of his subordinate units.

Some of Daddy's soldiers moving the Air Conditioner around in the backyard.

Daddy's office. Notice the Red Sox hat on the desk. Tony's desk is in the background.


The communications trucks in the "backyard." This picture was taken during mid-afternoon; the sunshade really works!