I know, it has been way too long since my last post. As you have figured out by now I am not the best blogger.

A few happenings in our family over the last few months.

Stephanie continues to grow...

...and so do I.

baby bump #2 - due December 26th

Pictures

Waiting.....

more waiting...

he did finally arrive :^)

(although this was taken several days later)

spending time together...

...at the beach.

He's home

I want to start out thanking all of you for your prayers - Steve arrived home about two weeks ago. I should've posted sooner, but as you can imagine my time as been spent just hanging out together and readjusting. He has had to report to work everyday in order to get settled back into their working routine, but will have some time off in a couple of weeks. We plan to stay here at home, and perhaps take a few days away in some neighboring cities.

Stephanie has already adjusted to having him home. This morning she promptly went looking for him as soon as she got up. Steve of course is loving being with all of his girls, Tilly included. On that note Tilly is enjoying having more positive attention from an adult in the house as well.

As for me, there are so many aspects of having him home that are amazing - I think the biggest is the relief of the responsibility of protector of the home. I understand more fully now having gone through this with a child why the Lord put that responsibility on the men. I go to be more happily and peacefully now.

My wonderful friend Andrea and her friend Natalie graciously waited with us to take pictures and video. For those of you unfamiliar with these homecomings, they have us gather and wait for hours before the guys arrive. Usually it is about three maybe four hours that we wait, but adrenaline is pumping and the anticipation and excitement causes the time to pass decently. This time they had us gather way too early and we were waiting at the reunion point for over six hours before we got to hug and kiss our guys. Thinking we would be headed home way before it got late and really cold outside, we didn't take proper blankets or clothing. So when I refer to the graciousness of Andrea and Natalie, it is very sincere. What great friends to wait in the cold without jackets and sweatshirts!

Once pictures are downloaded, I will post some.

a brief update

I know I haven't been consistent in posting, but then again I never have been. In all truth, I haven't felt all that positive over the last few months (which I hate) and haven't wanted to subject all of you to my complaints. This has been a very difficult time apart from Steve and just seems to be dragging on without a distinct end in sight. The end is drawing near, I just don't have a clear cut answer as to when that end will be.

On top of this lovely deployment, a friend and neighbor was tragically killed a week and a half ago. The sadness has been overwhelming and I have to admit that this is one of the few times in my life that I have questioned the Lord's plan. In my head I know He is in control, in my heart I continually ask why.

There are so many things I feel blessed with, and I never forget in spite of all the trials how much the Lord loves and blesses me. Stephanie continues to be an absolute joy! Every morning the mere privilege of getting to see her smiling eyes staring back at me from her crib is more amazing then I could've ever imagined. Despite the long months apart from Steve, I still have the hope and excitement of his home coming, something some wives no longer have. I was able to spend several months with family over the holidays which helped time to pass more quickly.

That's a quick update of where we are. Life is hard, but that is what helps make us look toward heaven.

Have to post it somewhere!

Dear News Media,

How I wish I could take your worst moment and smear it all over network TV and the Internet for all to read. I would make sure every detail of it was delivered so the world could make comments, evaluate and criticize who you are by that one mere act. Let me add that very little information about who you really are would be added, to make sure that the world would always remember you by that one fateful moment in your life.