Dax's Blue Belt

Well, Dax tested for his blue belt on Saturday, and on Tues night they awarded it to him! We are so proud of him for stickin with it and working so dang hard! We love you Dax!

Wow, where did we go?

Well, I guess I have been slackin huh? Things have been so dang busy around our house. Doug gone on fires, kids busy as heck, Lys's surgery, my head is still spinning! I promise I will do a complete summer update soon, but I thought I would post some pics so you can see how big the kids are getting and what they have been doing! Loves to all!

Alot going on.......

Just wanted to do a quick update! Doug finally made it home from the floods. The kids were so excited to see him. We can't thank him enough for the hard work he does for all of us. It makes me smile looking at the pics of him helping those people who had just lost everything to a flood. I can't tell you how much I hate him being gone from me and the kids, but I know he is making a difference. There is only 1 month left of school for the kids. They are so excited for summer. Well, the boys are, Lys is kinda looking forward to June but certainly not July. She is getting nervous about the surgery, but I know she is one tough cookie and she will show us all! Daxton in growing so big. I can't believe how time flies. Doug surprised me this weekend and took me away! Wow, I can't tell you how much that ment. I kinda come second when he comes home. The kids are all fighting for his attention and I just stand back and let them have their dad back. But he figured that since he had been gone longer than ever, mom needed some one-on-one with him. He is the most amazing husband anyone could ever imagine. I love you Doug, thank you for the last 13 years! You have taught me so much. I love you now more than ever. Happy anniversay in a couple weeks, (Even tho you will probably fighting a fire!) Thanks for the sacrifices you make for me and the kids! Your the best!

Surprise Kiddo's,,,,,,Dad's Home!

These pretty much say it all!

Missing Dad

Well in the last 3 weeks, the kids and I have only seen dad for 1 day. This is taking a toll on them (and me!) When he got home 2 weeks ago from a week in Denver, the kids were so excited, then within 12 hours, he got the call!!! His resource order came in and off he was for North Dakota. He is up there helping with all of the flooding, he is out on air boats looking for leaks, people, and anything else they might find. He is also fixing the air boats so that all of the rescue people are safe. The kids cried and cried when we heard of the "phone call" that was taking dad away again. I had to stay strong, but my heart was breaking. In 13 years, we have never been apart this much. I have kept the kids very busy so they don't think as much about it, and we pray for him and the flood victims every night. It has helped that my sister is visiting from Iowa. She is crazy and fun and keeping them busy. But I got my eyes opened alittle when I picked her up from the airport. We had our exciting reunion, and were heading back to our car when we saw 2 little boys hanging onto their father and crying. He was dressed all in his army gear and tears were rolling down his and his wife's faces. He was leaving this little family for who knows how long! My heart broke for them, here we were feeling sorry that Doug was gone for maybe 3 weeks, and this family was letting their daddy and husband go for so much longer. As I was strapping baby Kessa in the car, this mom and her 2 little boys walked by (tears still running down their faces) leaving their dad and the stability I'm sure he brings to the family. Letting him go fight for everyone's freedom, MY freedom. I told my sister (who wasn't wrestling with a 11 month old in a car seat) to run and tell those 2 little boys thank you for the sacrifice they were making, letting their dad leave. I wish I would have gotten my camera out and taken pics of my sister kneeling down to their level, thanking these little heros, for the price they were willing to pay. My sister asked the mom how long he would be gone, and she indicated 18 months. Wow, 3 weeks is nothing compared to that. Did I ever feel silly. Not that I don't miss Doug with all my heart, and pray that he will be home soon (yesterday would have not have been soon enough) but it sure made me realize that I have it pretty good. As the kids and I knelt to pray that night, we prayed for our dad, and also for the dad that left his family that day. That dad will be in our prayers for the next 18 months, along with all of the dads and husbands that are fighting for our freedom.
Thank you Doug, for everything you are doing for our family and all of the families that are fighting devestation from the floods. Please be safe and hurry home!!!! We love you more than anything.
And to my wonderful kids, thank you all for being so strong while daddy is gone. You are wonderful and I couldn't do it without you. It is hard enough keeping everything going alone,, but you guys sure make it easier. I have the best kids and husband in the world, and I love them all more than anything!!!!! Have a good week, and remember to thank a solider or rescue worker today!!!!