....To Weather the Storm....

...in more ways than one...

I don't just mean these crazy snow storms we have in northern New York.  Those are the easy ones.  You can cuddle up inside all day, stay cozy in your pajamas, and snuggle with your babies.

I am referring to this "storm" called deployment.  I am over the moon that Donnie will be home soon, but I am an emotional wreck. I am excited and happy one minute and literally sick with panic the second.  Everyone keeps asking if we are happy or excited that Donnie will be home.  And I watch people ask the kids the same question.  Are they excited their Daddy is coming home?  The answer is YES! And if you don't say it happy enough, they look at you funny. But, I think most people forget about everything else that is involved with a homecoming.  I am scared to death!!! I want Donnie to see what an amazing job I have done holding things together, I don't want him to see my short falls (and trust me there are plenty of them). I know these are fears that my fellow Army wives understand.  Thank you, Krissy and Heather for being my battle buddies and picking me up when I needed it most. 

 

I want a picture perfect homecoming.  I know this doesn't really exist, but I might just die trying to make it happen or drive myself to the loony bin in the process.  I do my very best to push the irrational thoughts that creep into my head out.  I know Donnie doesn't care about a clean house or the perfect homecoming outfit, but I do.  I worry because I know that things won't be the same.  We've both grown and changed over the last nine months.  I know that Donnie loves me and we will find our groove again once we are back together as a family.  I try to remind myself that we will fall down along the way, but that we will get back up together...

...and like a storm...I know that there will be a calm after it...

So to quote my kids, "I'm over it (deployment)!!!!" 

I will not spend my time in the storm,

because I am ready to enjoy the sunshine. 

...playing catch-up...

...this seems to be the theme since Christmas...

...I never quite have everything done, I know that most other mommas don't either, but I usually don't feel quite so overwhelmed and I need a sense of order to keep me calm or as Donnie put it to me today, "Keep Calm and Chive On."  I am giving it my best shot! 

We had a nice Christmas with my family, but it just wasn't the same without Donnie.  I hope that we don't have to miss Christmas together as a family again, but I know that with the Army that isn't something that I should count on...I hate the thought of Donnie missing these little sleepy eyed faces on Christmas morning!


...or seeing how excited they are when

spending time with their cousins...

...or getting to do something special with Mimi& Poppy...

...missing rare moments like a white Christmas in Texas...

It was so nice to be home and be able to have a break from our routine.  We were all able to relax and have fun.  We spent most of our days at home, while the kids played.  I think this is truly what they enjoy the most, spending time together! 

We did take a day to go to the new Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas.  The kids loved it! There was so much for everyone to see and do!  I am so glad my parents got a membership so we can go back and see some of the exhibits we didn't get too!

 ...before we knew it was New Year's Eve and our 10 days in Texas were over, and we were on our way back to NY...

On our stop over in Chicago the kids convinced me that they NEEDED these Chicago Bears hats!  I thought it made a great Happy New Year picture for Donnie! 

Go Bears! 

 

Christmas & New Year's Eve was all rolled into one big night of fun and excitement for us!  We arrived home to a couple of feet of snow (we missed two storms while we were gone), and it hasn't stopped snowing! (I swear, we have snow flurries everyday!)

...and SANTA left some presents for us at home too...

...that had to be tested out immediately...

I wish I had a picture at midnight!  We rang in the new year with Donnie via skype! It was so nice to share the moment with him (at least I got to blow my love a kiss for the new year).  And the best part of this year is that he will be home in 2013!!!

 

I couldn't send the kids back to school without taking them sledding! So on our one day to "get things done" we did what HAD to be done and spent the rest of our time sledding!

...and warming up...

Let this new year be one, where all your dreams come true,

cherish each moment that 2013 holds!

Let it snow...

There are A LOT of things that I don't like about the snow, but I do LOVE how freshly fallen snow looks in the morning.


And I LOVE the looks on the kids faces when they are in the snow!!

 

They couldn't wait to get home from school and play in the snow! They didn't care that there wasn't enough snow to really go sledding, they found new uses for their sleds.

Lucky for them it has snowed a little everyday this week. So they have been able to spend a few afternoons in the snow before it gets too dark to play outside. It is pitch black outside by 4:45pm. Another perk of winter!