...believe...

The Polar Express is all about believing in Santa and having the Christmas spirit. One of my favorite quotes from the movie is, "Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see." This couldn't be more true.


...our ride the Polar Express was the perfect way to start celebrating this Christmas season...

Where are we going? To the North Pole, of course!

This is The Polar Express!

All aboard! The conductor came around to punch everyone's tickets! He didn't punch as fast as in movie, but the kids still thought it was pretty cool! 


We listened to the story of The Polar Express and Santa's elves came around to visit with us on our ride to the North Pole. We sang Christmas carols, joked with the elves, and talked about what we wanted for Christmas. 

Santa joined us on our ride back to Utica, NY. He sat with every family and talked to the kids about what they wanted for Christmas. John gave Santa a letter he wrote asking for a snowmobile. I guess that could be pretty handy at Fort Drum. Although, I don't think Santa will be able to fit a snowmobile on his sleigh.   He also gave each child a bell from his sleigh that he told them to wish on and he promised one wish would come true on Christmas morning.  Can you hear the bells ringing?


The thing about trains...it doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding to get on.

...BELIEVE...

I'm thankful...

...for so many things, especially Thanksgiving with friends. We spent it with the Crow family at a beautiful little farm house in East Durham, NY.

It was a perfect day for a country drive that morning. Once we arrived the kids played outside, made holiday crafts, and passed the time playing games while the grown-ups prepared a delicious feast.

The best part of Thanksgiving was being with friends who make you feel like family. Mark's parents and his brother and sister-in-law made us feel right at home, and like such a part of their family Thanksgiving. Blessed, the only word I can think of that comes close to describing our time with the Crow's.

I'm thankful that Donnie is safe and hopeful that next year we will be together on Thanksgiving!

...thanksgiving...

A time to be thankful for all of the blessings that God has given us.

Luke made this turkey at school, and his teachers listed the things he is thankful for...


He said, my scooter, my brother and sister, my mom and dad, and my house and car. I love his list! It makes me smile to see what is important to him at 4 years old!

While we are busy getting ready for Thanksgiving, I am reminded just how far removed Donnie is from celebrating holidays. He had no idea Thanksgiving was this Thursday (he thought it was next week). He won't get to have a special turkey dinner or be with family or friends, it will be just like any other work day in Afghanistan. It makes my heart sad...

I hope the pine cone turkeys the kids made and the pecan pie (his favorite pie) I baked in canning jars brings a little Thanksgiving to him in Afghanistan!

...Happy Thanksgiving...

...the things kids say...

My boys got haircuts so they would look extra handsome for Thanksgiving! John was looking through one of the hair style books while waiting his turn. He kept picking out crazy mohawks or styles that wouldn't work for him. He finally found one that I said he could show the girl. She said it won't look exactly like that, but we can get it spiky for you. Great! So after she is done she ask John if it is okay, and he says it's fine. She said it doesn't seem like you like it. I encouraged him to say what he was thinking, so she could fix it if she needed too. He said I wanted you to put a little blonde in it!!! What? I had no idea he wanted his hair to look exactly like the guy in the picture!! I seriously couldn't help but laugh! Guess my boy wants some highlights!  I don't think his Daddy is going to go for that!


...3 months...

...until our family picture will be complete...

I can't wait to see Donnie's face without the internet cutting out or talk to him without getting disconnected. I listened to Katie talking to Donnie this weekend, it was so sweet! I brought tears to my eyes to hear tell her Daddy that she had the best dream about him....Dad, you came home from work and took off your hat and your boots, and I got to see YOU! I could SEE ALL of YOU! And we were going to have dinner...I can almost see her dream in my own head. I'm sure I was making dinner in the kitchen, the kids were probably sitting at the counter doing their homework. Donnie came in the door put his hat on the bench, took off his boots and came around the corner into the kitchen. I would give anything to make that dream a reality....I love that Katie had the chance to see her daddy...I'm a little jealous that I didn't get to have that dream, because I know how amazing it is when you have a dream that is that vivid and clear...praying those dreams come true in a few more months.

...sweet dreams...

...keeping busy...

...it is hard to find the right balance between being busy (which is a good thing) and being so busy that you make yourself and your kids crazy...I think we might have found our balance...

The kids started swimming lessons at the YMCA.  They have all had lessons before, but I certainly don't have 3 strong swimmers on my hands...they all have things that they need improvement on...I thought this would be a good time of year to take swimming lessons...soccer is over...and I want some good swimmers for any fun vacations we want to take when Daddy gets home...and all good vacations involve swimming!!!


Katie was doing such a good job in her class that they decicded to test her for the next level!  A little more stroke refinement and she will be there.  Luke loves the water and held his breath under water longer than any other kid in his group.  I think this is because it is a skill he practices in the bathtub everynight.  I often find him and John having contest to see who can hold their breath longer.  Boys!


John is ready to do a little more swimming on his own, but his teachers started out slow for the first lesson.  I can't wait to see what he is doing in a few more weeks. 

Katie and the boys like to keep busy with craft projects! So we made some pine cone turkeys that smell like cinnamon to send to Daddy!  We hope this will brighten up his Thanksgiving!


Gobble, gobble, gobble!

...perfect timing...

...after my last blog post I immediately started to feel better...it is amazing what a good cry and some therapeutic blogging can do for you...not to mention the words of encouragement...and all of the thoughts and prayers...I could feel the love and support...

...and it continued the next day...talk about perfect timing...I received these beautiful flowers...and not from someone who reads my blog or even someone that I'm facebook friends with...from someone thanking me for being such a good friend to their family and his wife...for being there when he can't be there...really just thanking me for being me, because I do what any friend would do for another friend, I love and support them when they need it and they do the same for me...

 

God Gives Us what we Need.  Philippians 4:19