Man Time

At times during this deployment I feel like I am the only one in our house who is discouraged, overwhelmed and the only one noticing the obvious void around our home. It's not until my children are around another man that I realize they are struggling at times too.

And they unlike me are not able to fully put into words how much they miss their Daddy. 

I particularly noticed it A LOT when Cam's parents were in town.

Grandpa Shirley was so patient and good to the boys.

He willingly ran carpool for me both ways, everyday

-which is honestly a HUGE help, it gives me almost 2 hours back to my day- 

and after school they would always stop for a treat on the way home.

He introduced Creed to the game of golf. Something Creed would look forward to daily, getting to meet Grandpa on the golf course to do the last hole

with him and then stop for gatorade and a treat.

Callan never wanted to be out of his sight.

Going for lots of walks to see the birds, along with singing and rocking him to sleep everynight was just what that baby needed.

To this day he walks around  mumbling "papa, papa".

So to Grandpa Shirley, the few men in our ward that have reached out to my kids, and even the kind man at Wendy's who willing picked up Callan after he ran to him wanting to play.

THANK YOU 

from the bottom of my heart

for being a male influence in my impressionable young boys lives.

Not my nicest post...

If I hear this comment one more time after watching my

boys play, rough house, or goof around....

"Man, I am glad I only have *insert number of boy

children they  currently have* boy."

I think I may literally have to punch someone.

Seriously, you might as well tell me my boys

are rotten and I am a horrible mother. 

It is THAT insulting.

There! I said it! And yes, I do feel better! :)

Half Way...

The half way mark of Cam's deployment has come.

I am not as relieved as I hoped I would be.

Instead I am trying to muster up enough strength and

positive thinking to get my mind and body wrapped

around the idea to do it all again.

BUT- in the spirit of positive thinking I am going to brag on my man.

He along with MANY MANY MANY brave and selfless soldiers

are working tirelessly and diligently for the pursuit of freedom...

And I for one couldn't be prouder. 

 This first one was front page of the base paper over there...and to quote Cam

 he said "I'm sure I won't be made fun of at all..."

You have to understand the squadron guys look for any and all opportunity

to raz/torture each other.

Squadron life is pretty much an aged Frat House.

However, I think it is inspiring that he is given the

opportunity to use one of his amazing skills!

DAILY DISPATCHApril 21, 2010

 

A New Chapter U.S. Air Force Maj. Cam Shirley, 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron pilot and member of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing's newly-formed Goodwill Ambassador Team, reads a book to a group of third-grade boys Monday during "Book Week" at a host-nation school. The team of Arabic-speakers is open to all U.S. and Coalition members interested in fostering good community relations with the host-nation public. Monday's event was the team's first community relations mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Kasey Zickmund)

Just another day at the office!

I absolutely love these next pictures.

They are actual photos of HIM flying and getting refeuled.

Now don't tell me that ain't flippin cool!

His mighty crew!

S0 proud of my GUY!

BIRTHDAY WEEK

The week that my boys talk about 358 days of the year has come and gone…

BIRTHDAY WEEK!

Mackguire turned 7 on the 14^th

Creed turned the big 5 a whole 2 days later.

To help the boys feel special and to help diminish the fact

That Dad wasn't around,

Grandma and Grandpa Shirley came for all the festivities.

MACKS BIG DAY:

• 
  
  Had a -I can't believe this is what my kid eats at school- mystery meat while enjoying lunch and story time with his class
• 
  
  Surprised him with a "special visitor" to join him for lunch
  
• 
  
  Ended the day with family fun at watiki and dinner at McDonalds

          Creeds BIG day:

• 
  
  Attended his open house at school where the same “special visitor” was awaiting him there

 

• 
  
   Took him and his best bud Andrew to lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings

• 
  
  Took the family to “kids Fair” and dinner at pizza hut

Is Easter done yet?

Between the Squadron Easter party,

the festivities at home,
Easter Sunday falling on

General Conference

it has meant Easter has been going on

all month around here.

Good thing Easter candy is my all time favorite.

SQUADRON HUNT

EASTER MORNING

This Morning rushing off to church.

Too bad Callan wouldn't cooperate. ;(

Happy Easter!

I really can…I just don’t

This post is for my friend Juli. It wasn't until we were talking about a recipe and she made the comment "it's so easy, even YOU could make it"

WHAT?!?

Stop the presses!!

Where have I gone wrong?

I have never been known as the girl who didn't know how to cook. I used to be the one who would try to outdo myself when asked to bring food to any sort of function. Now I feel like I have let my friends in SD down. Because of lack of time and quite frankly the desire, I have resulted to lots of mixes and boxed desserts. (in my defense I have to tell you, my favorite no fail cookie mix has gotten rave reviews. They are so good.)

Well NO MORE.

This past weekend for conference I was informed about this great blog and found so many yummy recipes it was hard to decide on just one but I did.

They were so yummy! And YES Juli, they were from scratch!

conference started like this...Creed being the only one excited to work on all the

different activities

But...If my mormon roots have taught me anything its this:

Offer refreshments and they will come.

SEE!

Now everyone is excited for conference.

Funny how that works.

I really liked the colors Mack used...

Do you think the first presidency is looking for a styllist??

18 months

At 1 year 6 months of age this is what this little boy is into and Not so into;
 Into: Saying lots of words but especially the words "NO, NO", "Mine" and "Ow"
NOT so Into: Showing off his vast vocabulary for Dad on skype

Into: Playing Outside ALL the TIME.

NOT so Into: Being left at the nursery in church or at the YMCA

Into: Cars, Toy cars, cars on the road, any car anywhere

NOT so Into: having his brothers mess up his cars after he meticulously arranges them.

Into: Naming and Identifying body parts

NOT so Into: Keeping those body parts still, wants to run and play all day

Into: Eating bread, fruit and canned or frozen veggies (literally runs to the high chair with excitement)

NOT so Into: any sort of meat..seriously?! Don't tell me I have a vegetarian on my hands…

Into: Being able to melt my heart with little effort.

Not so Into: Staying a little baby and refusing to grow up too fast.
Some more Intos:

• playing with my ponytail, for some reason it just makes him giggle.
• brushing his teeth and pretending to spit. Unfortunatly its never near a sink
• completely emptying my cupboards and drawers and dumping the contents into Kinga's water bowls.