I know it has been too long since my last post. Truth be told, I really haven't had the motivation to blog. Steve is gone and I have been having a very difficult time with it. I still haven't adjusted to it like I have with previous deployments. It has by far been the hardest one yet.

I have been staying busy with projects, trying to make the time pass without excessive frustration. Here are pictures of what I have gotten done over the last couple of months...because pictures are worth a thousand words.

Stephanie's Room

Front Flower Bed

Hardware on Kitchen Cabinets

Track Lighting above the Bar

...and the Fence

Thanks to my father-in-law and a friend for helping me finish it.

I do ask for prayer regarding our fence. We originally hired a company to build it for us. Due to their lack of timeliness to complete it and their lack of communication I canceled service with them. They had already installed the posts, which we have made clear to them we are willing to pay them for. They are now trying to sue us for the full amount of the original quoted price. I know the Lord is in control and will bring His justice about, I am just a bit overwhelmed having to deal with it without Steve here.

Family Pictures

So we finally had family pictures taken. Here are some of the best.

Visiting Family

Last week we took a whirlwind trip to visit family. It is the first time we have been altogether with each of the families since leaving for overseas over three years ago (with the exception of less then 24hrs in Indy in March). It was short but very good. Every time I read other's posts about their fun family get togethers it makes me ache for more such times with our families. Well, it is finally MY turn to make that post!

We spent the first of the week in Indy. It included a day at a water park and dinner out with just the adults (and Edy of course). We also spent a good part of our time at mom and dad's hanging out by the little pool while the kids swam.

Burres family!

The last night we made sushi. This is my favorite - avocado, cream cheese and cucumber. Jennie and I ate two whole rolls before we got them to the food table :^/

Dinner on the back porch.

The second half of the week we were out in Colorado relaxing and spending time with family, including Steve's Uncle Bill who was in town on business from Dallas. Friday night Steve, Dad and Uncle Bill graciously attended a Randy Travis concert with Alex for his birthday. Saturday was spent with Jared and his girlfriend Jacinda solely hanging out and enjoying being a family.

Farrand family!

(except for missing a very ill Alex)

Steve and Jared enjoying a cigar, along with Dad and Uncle Bill below!

We are back home relaxing and getting little things done around the house. We are so very blessed to have two amazing and supportive families. It is so good to be back so much closer to them...but yet it is hard still being so far away.

The House...

Here are a few updated pictures of the house. I painted and hung pictures in June and am taking a break from the house until September. It is finally starting to feel like home...but still need to add a few more things like a coffee table and some curtains.

Stephanie, the house, life in general...

Alright, here are some pictures of Stephanie over the last few months.

At Grandma and Grandpa's house in April

In our new home in North Carolina, June 2010

Yes, we are crawling now!

...and our new home before painting.

In the living room looking out to the backyard.

Kitchen and dining and office areas.

Master bedroom...after painting

Kitchen...after painting

Laundry room

So, life is slowly getting settled back down to semi normal. I finished my current painting projects yesterday and I plan to start putting things up on the walls tomorrow. I still have two bedrooms, two bathrooms and two entryways to paint at some point but those can wait for the time being. I am also in the midst of cleaning up our bedroom furniture from any left over mold before bringing it into the house. We are still having issues with mold on some of our other things as well which continues to be a frustration to say the least - but at least the source is gone and we can work to eliminate the residual effects.

I will try to post pictures of the newly painted rooms once I get things up on the walls.