I never look this cute when I cook in the nude ;)

At Last... My love has come along!

He's HOME!!

What a crazy, crazy weekend! He's not coming, he is coming. He's coming sooner, he's coming later. He's coming sooner again.

The last we heard, he would be arriving Saturday night/Sunday morning around 1:30am. After Casey's bball game, I put the kids in bed Saturday night in their warmest PJs at 10pm. I woke them back up at midnight, bundled them up and headed out to meet Nonie and Pap and make our way to the base. As soon as we walked in the door, we were told that Nathan and everyone else were still in MD and probably wouldn't be arriving until 4am. We were hoping the kids would go back to sleep.
No such luck.

We were left to entertain three VERY tired kiddos in a room with nothing but spinning chairs, Simple Life magazines, and a bucket of candy.

FOUR HOURS later, we got word that they were almost here. We were all exhausted, it was freeeezing outside, the kids were getting whiney (can't blame them, it was 5:30 in the morning!)... but the second that plane touched down, NONE of that mattered.

....................................................

Right before we got the text that they were landing...

Layla held this sign up for about 15 mins before Nathan ever got off the plane. Sweet girl =)








It's just been THE most amazing few days having him home with us! We have finally caught up on sleep I think. The kids are still completely in his face every minute of the day; won't even let the poor guy take a breath! He had to go to the base this morning to do his out-processing paperwork and they FREAKED OUT. They want to tell him EVERY.SINGLE.THING they did and saw for the last 7 months. We are soaking up every meal, nap, and tv show we get to share together and are going to be COMPLETELY spoiled getting to have him home with us before he goes back to work in a month!! IT'S FANTASTIC!!!!

Sweet Caroline

Cale's favorite song EVER is 'Sweet Caroline'. He asks to listen to it 42 times a day. We usually keep the cd in the car, but we've had it in the house lately so that we can listen to it while we're cleaning. I finally wised up and broke out the camera while they were singing and dancing to it yesterday morning! Granted, this was bright and early... they had dressed themselves and I hadn't even bothered to lube them up or pick Brynn's hair out yet so they are looking especially snazzy. I wish I could video him in the car when he's really belting it out and not so focused on his dance moves, but I suppose that would be less than safe, apparently. This will have to do! Enjoy my little crooner :)

He's on his wayyyy!!

In case you haven't heard, Nathan IS on his way HOMMME!

He left Manas around midnight last night (I think-- I spoke to him around 5pm our time and that was the plan). They will make several stops and cross several times zones within 24 hours, but when all is said and done, he should arrive back in Nashville tonight between 3-4 am :)

That face is mostly thrilled, although there is some trepidation about loading three sleeping kids up in the freezing cold and dragging them out in the middle of the night to go get him... but after little discussion, he really wants them there and it is just one night. We have the rest of tomorrow and all of Monday to recover and a lifetime to remember this night that he came home and we were all there to see him! What a story, huh?

We are are just giddy with excitement. For me, that involves rushing around with last minute chores and a racing heart. For the kids, that involves bouncing off the walls and wanting everything they do today to be done or saved "for Daddy".

'I'm going to save this milk for Daddy.'
'I have to eat strudels for breakfast to celebrate Daddy.'
'I'm going to wear a purple tutu with green tights, a polka shirt, under a blue gingham dress, with cinderella shoes... for Daddy.'
'No, you can't throw away that tissue that I used to wipe snot of my face, I need it... to show Daddy.'

We're hoping to keep busy today (should be VERY easy to do) to pass the time. Go to bed early to get some sleep in (maybe not as easy- it's like freaking Christmas eve around here!). Then get up in time to bundle/load everyone up and head that way!! Sometime in the wee hours, we should be reunited for good!!

Praying he travels safely until he reaches us. Praying our hearts don't burst.

My kids are funny. Thank GOD.

So, I'm kind of ill today, given the circumstances. I know I should be politically correct all the time and only say things like "I don't care, as long as he gets home safely" and "It will just make our reunion that much sweeter"... and while all those things are true, and I appreciate all of YOU saying them (a lot, actually), I just want to be kind of pissed about it for a little bit and let you be the optimistic ones.

However, although my children are also quite upset/sad/angry/all of the above, their precious minds tend to drift in and out of depression a bit more than mine do and they say some pretty funny stuff! I thought I'd share some of my sunnier moments today, just incase they brighten yours too =) <---- see, a smile. I can do this.


Layla: It's important to go to school and to church. You know why? Because we go to school to learn what we want to be when we grow up and we go to church to learn that Jesus was the only perfect person. Except... do you remember that time last year when we were at Sam and Jackie's for a really long time? I mean a really long time and I was perfect? Brynn and Cale weren't very obedient at all, but I was perfect. You said so. Do you remember? I remember.

Cale: (After I took them to Cracker Barrel) I so proud of you for dat dinner, Mommy.


Backstory-
Layla got her first kiss at school earlier this year by a boy at school. On the way to Nonie and Pap's one day, in NOVEMBER, I asked her if she had been kissed by anymore boys. She said she hadn't. I asked if she had a boyfriend. She explained that no boyfriends were allowed at school. BUT... there was one boy in particular, Brett, that she liked.
Me: Why do like Brett?
Layla: He told me he's allergic to me, and that REALLY makes me like him!

fastforward to February...
Me to Layla: How was your day at school?
Layla: It was great! Brett didn't go to sneakers {afterschool care} and we got to stand outside together.
Me: So you still like Brett?
Layla: Mommy, I love him! Well, him and Finn (from Glee! ha). I HAVE to find a way to get on Glee for real to make Finn my real boyfriend.
Me: So you love Brett AND Finn?
Layla: Yes ma'am. And Isaac. And Kaiden. And Trevor.
Oh dear...
Daddy's response?
"Where do these boys live?"


Me to Brynn: You are too cute, I love you!
Brynn: Thank you, Mommy! And I love purple and Sissy!


Me: I love you, Cale Benjamin.
Cale: I love you, Mommy Benjamin.

(As he's undressing for his bath...)
Cale: Look, Mommy... my peni is a guitar and I'm a rockstar!
I'm sure you can guess the motions he was making.

I was asking Brynn to practice drawing a circle, a line, and an X... which she did. She then pointed to her circle and said, "Brynn's hair!" and pointed to the line and said, "Mommy's hair!".

Layla was putting on a pair of new jeans from The Children's Place, which have the TCP label on the top back of the pant. She then informed me that her teacher says you aren't supposed to wear jeans that say stuff on the bottom (to school). I tried to explain that she really means jeans with words (meaning words like "cute" or "sexy") across the bottom, and she said "like 'I am a little cat'?"

Brynn: Where's the cool doctor?
Me: Cool doctor? You mean your doctor set? Are you going to play doctor?
Brynn: No ma'am. I need the cool doctor. I need it.
Me: I don't know what a cool doctor is?
Brynn: I need it! For the train!
Me:..... a doctor? For the train? Ah! Cool doctor. Conductor!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I know there were more that I've already forgotten. They do make me laugh so much! I wish I could remember more of Brynn's cause that kid is a hoot! And her expressions just make her's unbearable (of course... her's are also usually at the most inopportune times when she's supposed to be doing something else that you have told her 72 times to do already, but still... ;)

The LONG and WINDING road...

And now it's unofficial again. Ugh.

Can I just say- I "officially" LOATHE snow?

Another delay. No birthday reunion for us afterall. There is still hope for a Valentine's reunion (not that Valentine's itself means anything to us, really, just referencing what day he could arrive- if the weather on the East coast cooperates).

What a crappy roller coaster. If I have to tell my kids ONE more time that Daddy is not coming after telling them that he is, I swear my heart is going to break in two. Layla can actually go to her Valentine's party at school on Friday now, but guess what... Layla doesn't want to go to her Valentine's party on Friday. Because *I* told her that her Daddy would be home and she would be missing it. She doesn't really understand why *I* would say that if it wasn't true- AGAIN. Why do *I* keep telling her he's coming and then changing *my* mind. She's five. She kind-of-sort-of-not-really-understands that we have NO control over this. But then why don't *I* just not tell her until he's really coming?! Well.... we thought he was.

*I* don't know what to do here (knowing I can't do ANYTHING).
*I* don't know how to pass the time anymore so that the days don't draaag by while we wait.
*I* am just as upset as the kids are, honestly.

Friday was going to be SO perfect. Not just bc it's my birthday, but the kids and I had a whole plan worked out. We, once again, timed everything for the house to be nice and clean for his arrival. We were going to spend the whole morning together, have plenty of time to get ready, have one last "Mommy and Me" lunch together before going to pick him up. Have the afternoon with him/family. Have pizza that night, just like he wanted. He would be home to start the new "Pillow Talk" marriage series at church on Sunday together...

And I KNOW in my head, that it's just not the end of the world. As long as he gets home and gets home safely, that's all that matters. We just got our hopes up that this was all going to FINALLY work out and work out so well, and it seemed like such a God thing! Now... we're back to the yucky, crummy, sad, frustrating, UNKNOWN (my enemy!!).

uuuuuugggggghhhh.

"For they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

It's official!

We have a flight plan, bags and weapons are packed, and we will FOR SURE (God willing) be picking Nathan up on Friday afternoon!!!

Woot! Woot!

This morning, we knew it might be Friday, but that seemed SO far away. I was struggling and a friend prayed for me and shared this verse:

"For they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings as eagles. They shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31

I told him I was going to burn it into my head for the rest of the week. Now that I KNOW he will be here... Friday is GREAT! Friday is coming! HE is coming and I can't hardly stand it! And Friday is my birthday :) How awesome is that?! Doesn't get much better, I tell you.

Come oooooonnn Friday :) :) :)

Oh and Nathan will actually be travelling for a couple of days before that, so please pray for his safety during that time. Please and thank you!

The GOOD news is...

When Nathan does eventually get home, he will have a place to sit!

We used our Christmas money to buy new dining room furniture! yay! Our previous dining room table only sat four and the twins were still in high chairs when he left (how is that possible?! They're huge.). When he gets here, the five of us can now sit at one table for the first time. {Grin}



It has four chairs and a bench- all three kids sit on the bench, so we actually have two extra chairs for now. There are hidden leaves to expand the table too so we will have plenty of room for guests, or when the kids' have friends over, or more room for our family to grow {bigger grin}.



Thanks to Poppy and Uncle B for coming to put it together for us so it would be ready when Nathan gets here :)
And how cute are these littles who were trying their darndest to stay out of the way (when they reaaaallly wanted to help!). They made a train-with the uncovered chairs.

Sledding with Cay-Cay!

Our wagon "sled" didn't work out that great since the snow was still too soft... and it has wheels. But on Sunday, I managed to throw my Explorer into 4 wheel drive and brave the icy roads for church (one of few...). Since I was already out (ha), it seemed like a good time to let the kids visit Deda and Poppy while I ran a couple of errands ;)
It also gave Casey a good excuse to play in the snow. Out they went... I stole these pics from Deda.

Snoooow. For real this time.

We actually got about 5 inches this time! The kids were thrilled and couldn't wait to get out and play.

It took me over an hour to get them dressed, and I pushed/pulled them up and down (and up and down and up and down) our driveway in the wagon for about 20 mins before they started crying that they were too cold. Another 25 mins to get them undressed. It was exhausting.

Snow kind of sucks when you're the mommy! BUT....
They are still talking about that 20 minutes, so I guess in their eyes, I was awesome and it was all totally worth it =)

Bummed.

For those who haven't heard...

Nathan's homecoming has been delayed a few days. We are slightly disappointed, of course. But this is the way things go and there is obviously nothing we can do about it. As of right now, it is only a few days. I was so hoping he was going to be coming in this weekend while we were all at home and I had all the time in the world to pretty myself up for him, gather our gaggle, and have a movie scene reunion. We even cancelled/re-scheduled all our plans for this weekend in anticipation (rookie mistake). I timed everything perfectly so I would be golden from a fresh spray tan and my house sparkling clean as if it had been that way the whole time he was gone (it has of course, cough cough), Brynn's hair newly styled so everyone looks their very best upon his arrival :)

Buuut... instead it looks like it will be sometime mid-late next week. Any day, any hour. We will just wait for "the call". And then we will have approximatey two hours to get as ready as we can, grab Layla from wherever she may be (school? dance? bed?), faded tan, frizzy-haired, probably no time left to clean up whatever disasters that day/Cale brings. No sparkles. No movie scene. Just us.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and bet that he wouldn't have it any other way ;)

... But that's why I'm the control freak, not him! ha.
And yes, of course, I just want him HOME, safe and sound, sitting next to his pale wife on a messy couch :)