BEST Husband in the WORLD!

Pre-children John would give me flowers all the time.  It was so sweet, but as we all know life starts to take over and you forget the little things that make your spouse smile.  I am just as guilty of this!

Well no this year!  Today I was in the main office at work when they said I had something delivered.  I looked over and they were flowers.  

I asked "who are these from?"  

The office staff response with a chuckle "I don't know I didn't read the card.  I am assuming your husband sent them."

So we all proceed to open the card and by my surprise they were from my fabulous husband!  The card reads:  Happy Valentines Day.  I Love You And Miss You.  I'll Be Home Soon.  Thank You For Being So Strong.  Love, John

Yep...THE BEST HUSBAND IN THE WORLD!

Valentine's Day 2012

John is the best dad ever!  He always attends the boys parties at school.  I didn't realize how much he loved doing it and how much the teachers enjoyed him being there until the valentine's parties came around.  

Everyone realized all at once that he wasn't going to be there to help.  The teachers said he is great with the kids...he sits with them, talks to them, and that all the kids love having him there!  I think it is great that they have a male figure attending stuff like this.  The boys really need to see more dads stepping up to the plate!

Ethan's teacher Mrs. McClure took a picture for me to send to John to show how much they miss having him there to help out.  I know both the boys can't wait until daddy is back and able to attend all the school stuff! 

Lesson learned:  you never know how much something matters to you or the people around you until it is gone.  Take advantage of every moment because most of the time you have one chance!

My Little Sponges

The boys are like sponges this year!  They are growing up so fast.  I am amazed daily at the words they use, the stuff they inquire about, the stories they tell me, and the things in general they notice!  Tonight they wanted to show off what they have been learning so daddy could see.  We miss him very much and can't wait until he gets back from South Carolina!

Caiden has already begun learning to say, identify, and write sight words.  This is stuff he actually supposed to be doing in Kindergarten, so I am very proud of him and credit his teachers, especially his afternoon teacher Ms. Sally for his fabulous progress!

Ethan is learning all kinds of cool stuff as well.  He has his days of the week down and wants to show off his song!

Kloe's Painted Nursery

As most of you know we attend a Lifegroup every Sunday night.  God has really blessed us with this group.  We absolutely love them.  We all look forward to meeting, sharing our lives, and sharing God together every week, every day!  

This year I really had to open myself up to help other than the Avers'.  The Avers' have been very sick, like can't be around anyone sick!  Lisa and Steven Kalman from our LG stepped up and kept asking me when they could come and help paint Kloe's nursery.  At first I was like yeah yeah that will be great, but as we get closer to her arrival I realized I do need help!

First we had to primer the room, oh and when I say we I mean everyone else BUT me!  Caiden was a big helper.  Ethan could really care less.

It was very humid so it was taking the paint a long time to dry.  Steven got the primer and the first coat of pink on the walls, but decided to wait until the next day to do the second coat.  He wanted it to be perfect for Kloe :)  Okay maybe for her OCD mother as well!

That night while I stepped away to go to the restroom, the boys were supposed to be getting ready for bed.  But what were they doing instead???!!!  Oh well having a ribbon contest in Kloe's room...what do I mean?  They were ripping off all the tape.  It is crazy how fast they did it!

I was so frustrated and mad!  I could barely speak!  Caiden started crying because I was so upset and crying and Ethan kept looking at me with a smile then no smile, like he was confused on how he was supposed to be.  I put them to bed and texted the Kalman's with the bad news.  While I was texting them I noticed the pink paint on my hands from picking up the tape.  I went into Kloe's room which has those darn lights that have to warm up before you can really see anything, so I am on the floor on my hands and knees crying trying to spot pink paint on the carpet!

Right then Lisa calls me to check on me.  I start sobbing and apologizing.  She says "Erin you are tired and need to go to bed.  They are kids and it is all fixable.  Go to bed!"

I take her advice.  Turn out the light and head to my room.  At that time John text me to see how my day was.  I start crying again, okay I think I was still crying, and tell him what happened.  He says to me "They are just trying to help.  Caiden probably thought he was being helpful from earlier and Ethan just followed his lead."

They were both right!  I was proud of myself because I did not react how I would have the last deployment and felt very controlled with my frustration and anger, but in the big picture it wasn't a big deal.  I prayed and then went right to sleep!

Needless to say Steven did all the work the next day while Lisa entertained the kids to keep them out of the room!  There was one accident with paint on the carpet but it was fixable!

I must say I am totally in love with the color and can't wait to do the rest of her room!

Thank you God for opening my eyes to those around me and making me put my pride aside!  And thank you to the Kalman's for giving our family such a  big blessing of their time!

Getting ready for V-Day

This year both the boys are really excited about Valentine's Day.  Caiden's teacher sent home a note that read something like this:  The kids need to make a valentine box and bring 20 cards (one for each person in his class).  She suggested that we work on 4-5 a night so it will not be overwhelming for the kids to write their names on all 20 at one time.

NOT MY KID!

He was on a mission.  He decorated his box.  Wrote his name on ALL of his valentine's.  He was so excited!  He also put together all his teachers gifts.  He is ready for his big day!

Like I said they are both excited and Ethan wanted in on the action as well.  He needed more help with his name, but he was on a mission as well to get his all done.  He did all the stickers himself!  Look at this face...he is ready for his big day as well!