Belly Dancing

Last night I joined her at her coffee. We went Belly Dancing. Very fun. And a little odd. Its strange seeing your friends and wives of the people that work with your husband belly dancing. Your mind starts wondering into places that you really don't want to go. Like that person is a little too go at this. Or that person has no coordination at all. I wonder if they are like that with any athletic event. Anyway if you have ever thought about it, I strongly suggest trying it. It was a lot of fun. And quite a good workout.

Hope you all enjoy your weekend.

Margarita Wednesday

So a few of my friends and I have started Margarita Wednesday. You hang out with close friends, drink margaritas, and gossip. This is great therapy. I think that you all should choose to join us in this new tradition. You don't have to be here in Colorado to participate. Just get a few friends and enjoy their company while drinking margaritas (or drink of your choice). We also decided that if you are by yourself, we are willing to web cam with you, so you can join in on the fun.

Have a great Thursday. Think about Margaritas for next Wednesday.

I got Kyle's 2 year photos taken recently. I thought that you all may like to see them. We were there for 40 minutes, and only got 2 good shots. He was not in the mood for pictures. Little did I know that he was starting to get sick. He had a fever of 104 when we got home. Whoops. I should have probably should have noticed, but it came on so quickly.

So we have made it thru the first few days. Yesterday I had some retail therapy. And it worked great. Then I had a few close friends over for margaritas. That was also great therapy. I know that my ways of coping are probably not the recommended ones, but they work. I don't do them during the entire deployment, just the first couple of days. So that's how I justify them.

I heard from Kris today. He landed in Kuwait safely. And is just waiting for his trip up north. He also gave me his mailing address. So if you would like it, let me know and I will email it to you. I don't feel comfortable posting it on the Internet.

I hope you are all having a great memorial day weekend. And thank you all again for the warm wishes and prayers.

Gone.

Kris has finally left. IT was an emotional morning. Kris and I couldn't sleep very well and were up at 3 am. If you know me at all, you know this is very unusual. I could sleep all day. We tried to make the morning as normal as possible. But then the final calls to his family had to be made. After the phone call to his mother Kris asked me how I was holding up, fine until he asked me, and then the waterworks started. I'm the kind of person that doesn't like to talk about it. Kris was sweet and made the family breakfast. Then we had to make the trip to HQ. When we got there there were already families there. You know what everyone is feeling, just by the look on their faces. Its not anything that you ever want to experience in you life. You have to say goodbye to the person that you love. And you know they are going to a dangerous place, and you don't know when the next time they will be able to contact you is. And you can't exactly contact them. And you know what month they are expected home, but not exactly when. It is a real uneasy feeling.

I don't know how much Kyle understands. He knows that Mommy and Daddy were crying this morning. He was able to tell his Daddy goodbye, but I don't think that he can comprehend that Daddy won't be here for a real long time.

So to all of you who want to know how I am doing. I am hanging in there and doing fine until someone asks. So please don't, because I am always on the verge of bursting into tears.

Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We need them.

Leaving

So we just found out the actual date that Kris is leaving again. We knew it was coming, and we had a date range but some how this makes it more real. I am going thru a mix of emotions. I want to spend as much time together as possible with him. I want him to have fun and let go with his friends too. And most of all I want him to get in as much quality time with Kyle. I can't imagine what Kris must be going thru right now, knowing that he has to leave his son in less than a week and know that you won't see him for about 10 months. This is definitely the worst part of his job. I think about all the things that the two of them will miss. Kyle picks up new tricks and skills everyday, and Kris won't be here to share them with me.

Kris started to pack up all of his gear yesterday. It was hard to watch. I know that he hates doing it when when any of us are around. It started it while Kyle was taking a nap and I wasn't home. He can stand to see the looks on our faces. He even had to put Bella outside so he wouldn't have to see her face. I really don't know how you prepare yourself to go too war mentally. But the one thing that I do know, is that it affects everyone.

I ask you all for your thoughts and prayers for Kris safety, and speedy return over the next few months. Thanks for bearing with me thru all my random thoughts during this post. I'm just a little emotional. I hope you all have a great weekend, and enjoy you families.

Freaky!!!!

Is it just me or is this weird? I saw this this morning on the talk shows. This cow is aparently 6 foot 6. Thats just freaky.

Thumb Sucking

So Kyle is a thumb sucker. He doesn't do it all day, only when he is tired or hurt. So I didn't think it was a big deal. But now I have noticed that he has sucked all the way through his nail. It not only looks gross, but could become a issue. So what I am asking is, does anyone out there have any suggestions on how we can make him stop sucking. And I don't want to start using a binky now. Please help me.

Ethan

Ethan is doing well. And should be able to come home from the hospital today. We are very thankful for that he is doing so well.

Here are a few photos from when he was still in the NCIU.

Look at those long arms and fingers.

Kyle's Party

We had a great time. The weather was wonderful. We grilled. Played outside. Opened presents (He is one spoiled little boy). Then went to Mr Biggs to play on the inflatables. He was one tired little boy when we were done.

Kyle's Cake. It took me 3 hours to decorate.

On the slide.

Party Postponed

We had to postpone Kyle's birthday party, since we drove to Wichita yesterday. But that doesn't mean that Kyle will miss out on anything, just that he will end up having two birthday cakes instead of one. We are going to celebrate Kyle's Birthday on Sunday instead. If you can join us then your more than welcome to.

Happy Birthday Kyle!!!!! We love you!!!!

Ethan Kristofer

We have a new baby in the family. Both Mom and baby are dong fine. Ethan was born this morning. He shares a birthday with Kyle.

More to come later.