Mama I'm Home

The sweetest words I have heard in a very long time came from Chester's mouth on Friday. He called me from Germany, then from Maine, then from Marsh Airbase, then the final call-from the parade grounds at 29 palms as soon as he got off the bus. There was such happiness in his voice, and a sense of....relief. He was met by his buddies that arrived home a few weeks earlier with the advanced team so one of them handed him his cell phone, told him to call his Mama then handed him a beer and welcomed him home. He will be arriving in the Mitten State next Friday morning-I am counting the hours until I get to actually touch him again. Although it was much calmer where he was this time versus the last time, knowing that your son is in harm's way adds this weight to your shoulders that you become so accustomed to carrying around. So much so that when you no longer have to carry that weight you don't know what to do. Worry has secretly been my closest friend for the past 7 months. I said goodbye to that friend this weekend. I actually feel lighter, more free-happier. It is a strange sensation to try to put into words for people who haven't experienced it. To my sweet friend H who has a son who just went over to defend our Country in the other land so far away-I'm here for you sister. Day or Night. When the worry sets in, I will listen. And I promise that one day you will have that weight lifted off of your shoulders as well

Chester in on his way home!!

Just a quick update to let everyone know that Chester is on his way home from Iraq! I should be receiving a call from him either today or tomorrow letting me know that he is back in California.

Thank you so much to all of the prayer warriors that have covered Chester in prayer for the past 7 months, by the grace of God my baby is coming home!!

I Survived...

Last night was quite the experience with Dreamsicle. We had seen Dis*ney On Ice a few months ago so I was fully expecting the evening to go much the same. Boy was I wrong.

We hit the front door to the Arena and Dreamsicle turned into a completely different girl! She is usually a very happy little thing but is somewhat reserved. Last night she lost every ounce of inhibition in her 3 year old little body. I agreed to let her choose one souvenior to purchase. As we patiently waited in line I was watching little girl after little girl choose plush Do*ra's, plush Bo*ots or the Backpack. My kid gets up there and giddily requests to have "the boy". She couldn't get Di*ego into her arms fast enough. (thankfully no large foam cut out figures were available).

We got to our seats and the music started. For the next 1.5 hours my daughter laughed, yelled, jumped up and down and could not get enough. It was hysterical.

She fell asleep on the way home, holding onto Di*ego so tight I thought she could very possibly break his neck. She woke up this morning telling me she had a happy dream. When I asked her what it was about she told me she had a dream about Di*ego the boy. Yikes-I think perhaps I won't share that information with McGyver.

Update on the Fam

McGyver and McGyver's Papa successfully moved U*Haul, Pixie and Lil Pea to Georgia. They moved into their new place and found out they had no water. McGyver pulled a typical McGyver move using a neighbor's outside spicket and was able to rig a temporary solution up so that they would have water until the city decides to come out and correct the problem.

Chester will be arriving back in the States by the end of the week! Did you hear that people? My middle son, my tender hearted boy has fulfilled his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq. There will be no sweeter words that I will ever hear than when I hear him tell me that he is home.

X*Boy is working mad hours at the office and doing so well! I am so proud of him.

Dreamsicle and I will be going to see D*ora the Ex*plorer tonight so remind me to stay strong and not cave into her little eyes peering up at me asking me to buy her some ridiculously over priced souvenior. If you see someone carrying a large foam D*ora cutout-that will probably be me...

My Glass Is Half Full

U*Haul, Pixie and Lil Pea left yesterday to begin their journey to Georgia. After more than a year of being married, they are finally starting their life together as a family. McGyver and McGyver's Papa are hauling all of their wordly possessions down for them so Dreamsicle and I are fending for ourselves for a few days. I moved all of Dreamsicle's toys from the various places in the house (the living room, her bedroom, the basement) into what used to be Pixie's bedroom. Now Dreamsicle has a playroom and she is so happy! And sad! Seriously, she is really trying to work it out in her head. She was so used to having Pixie and Lil Pea there that this has rocked her 3 year old world. I keep telling her that soon the two of us will hop on a plane and head down to see them-I am sure that will help her-but until then we have some ups and downs to work through. Not having the little chunk-a-monk here is pretty wierd though. Gone with him is every last bit of baby from our house. No more high chair, no more jumperoo, no more crib. For the last 3 years I have lived in baby land-first with Dreamsicle then with Lil Pea so it does seem strange to have the house stripped so suddenly.

Carrots For Breakfast

Yesterday I spent a little extra time with Dreamsicle in the morning so I was able to prepare her breakfast. Imagine my surprise when I asked her what she would like me to cook and she chose carrots! Yep, my girl wanted carrots for breakfast. Add a juice box and a go-gurt and she was in heaven.