Tough Day - Day 1

We were all a little tired today... late night dropping Chris off at the airport, settling fears and drying tears until long past bedtime. This morning my two little bugs did not want to wake up. I was able to capture some pretty cute images, daily sights for Chris and I to love... a sight I know he'll grow to miss seeing and a sight in which I know you all will cherish and appreciate too. I really fancy having this blog private, it allows me to open up more than I usually do in my posts and pictures. Thanks for being devoted readers over the years and even through my not-blogging days/weeks/months...

Enjoy these little memories from our day.

:: Liz ::

Departure

Chris made it out of Connecticut just fine and as you read in his post, had a layover in Baltimore that lasted well beyond 24-hours. The kids and I were able to hurry down the coast from Connecticut before he left last night. We got 5 hours more together, but saying goodbye the second time was even harder than the first.

I took some photos of him getting ready to leave from Connecticut. No words can be placed with the feeling of seeing him in uniform, walking away in the airport.

I think Taylor put it best when she came into our bedroom around 9pm last night holding her hands up and looking around. I asked her what was wrong and she just said, "There's someone missing mommy. Someone is missing... Something is missing." Hopefully these first few days are the toughest... for us all.

Here are a few images from his first farewell. Will have some more soon from our Day 1 without Chris at home.

:: Liz ::

I Made It!!!...to Baltimore???

This is Chris, in the first of (hopefully) several blog posts. I left Connecticut today, leaving Liz and the kids there. They're having a great time at Cathie and Jamie's, who have been excellent, supportive and gracious hosts (as always). They'll head back to Annapolis on Thursday. As it goes for military rotator flights, I was scheduled to leave tonight out of the AMC terminal at BWI for Ramstein, Germany before continuing on for Italy and eventually Qatar. As luck would have it, I arrived in Baltimore tonight only to find that my flight was "delayed" for a full 24 hours. C'mon people...seriously?! Thanks for the advance notice...I assume this was a complete surprise...ah...whatever.

So here I am, sitting at an airport hotel no more than 20 miles from home. I considered going home for the night but realized that it was far too much hassle than it was worth, especially considering that the house is empty, and I am tired.

On the bright side, I hope to see Liz and the kids tomorrow for a bit if it works out. Am scheduled to check back in for my flight at 8pm, so tomorrow will be a long...long day.

Another day on the hill

Chris was able to join us skiing today which allowed me to take a few more pictures of the kids in action. It was great spending time together on Chris' last day before deployment... and what better way than to ski!?

Chris is a much better ski instructor than I am and had Taylor making run after run in no time. Austin was almost to perfecting his stops, but we still have a little work to do on control. We will get there before the season is over I am certain of it.

Enjoy the pictures...

:: Liz ::

Orders

Hello everyone,

Chris's official orders just dropped. He will be departing tomorrow out of the Connecticut Air National Guard, flying through Baltimore and then over the pond to Qatar. I made a map for everyone who does not know where Qatar is... I did not know when he first told me, I am fully admitting this, yes. So if you did know, I don't mean to be a bore...you are just smarter than me (that's not a tough one), in the military or very smart and in the military... ;)

We are getting a bit of snow while staying in Connecticut. I am certain Chris will get out tomorrow, but not so sure if I am willing to risk driving home with the kids on nasty roads. The good thing about freshly fallen snow, the skiing conditions will be even better today than they were yesterday :).

Enjoy the day!

Snowboarding + Skiing

Wow! That was great... a little cross eyed from all the excitement.

Post ski shuffle.

He got the cool snowboarders hold down after having to walk up the hill a few times.



so big...

happy to be on the hill

Dude!

Biggest accomplishment of the day... knowing how to buckle and unbuckle his bindings = lots of time on the bum.

I took the kids to Ski Sundown today while Chris out-processed from his unit for his deployment. Austin received a snowboard from Santa for Christmas and we've been dying to get him on the slopes. Taylor is only two, but we decided to try her on skis anyway. They both had a great day on the slopes :) and I couldn't be more proud. We'll beheading there again tomorrow and if I have my hands free I will try to take more pictures. Until then, goodnight.

:: Liz ::

Where we've been

... missing from the blog world yes, but busy and happy more importantly. It has been a long summer, mostly filled with sun and laughter by a pool, or on a beach, at the lake and among family. We are blessed and really taking it in. I have so many photos to edit and share with you all, but the most important thing for you all to know is that we are doing well.

Austin starts Kindergarten next week and although I find myself reflecting on this milestone in our lives, I have very little time to sit and write about it... until this moment, which is where I will begin. I just finished a final exam for a class that made me question higher education all together. It was a class that I took "face-to-face" and made me really resent the fact that at the age of 30-something, I still have yet to finish my undergraduate studies. I will spare you all the details, as I find it would just sound like whiny jabber... but I will tell you this, I have lots of first hand experience to write my final paper on why education has been stripped of creativity... which leads me into Austin starting school.

So my little boy, my baby, the very first reason why this blog was started will be entering full day kindergarten next week. I know I am his mama, and I know mamas can be biased, but I know my boy is bright and incredibly creative. He starts each day on his own foot and is amazing at creating his day... I am not sure if that makes sense to any of you, so if it doesn't imagine this: a day where all your thoughts, outlandish by public opinion or not, all your dreams and wishes come true. Austin asked me today what he was good at, what was his special talent.

Well my boy, from day one, since the very day you were born you had the ability to put a smile on any person's face. You have grown into a person who is good, no great, no exceptional at everything you love. You are beautiful (although you prefer "handsome" because you're sister and best friend Ava are the MOST beautiful in your book and they are girls) you are sincere and you know what is best for all. Austin Lee you are a caring soul who is on the constant look out for others and you enter each day with the most inspiring attitude any person would be envious over. You learn from others deeds and understand why some other's actions are bad without me ever having to explain.

You feel... thank God for that.

You LOVE your family, even the ones you have never met, and you adore your friends. You are kind to animals and listen to what they say as if you do not speak their language. You are never afraid to show your affection for me and Dad and your baby sister; she is your world.

My dear sweet boy, I don't want one ounce of you to change, but I want you to grow. I can only believe that you beginning your formal education will allow you to grow... more to be delivered soon...


Much love, Liz