Memorial Day... One Year Later

It's been one year today since Jeremy came home from Iraq, and our family was whole again. It was a day FULL of emotion to say the least. How fitting for them to be able to fly in on Memorial Day. I have always felt that I was patriotic, but going through a deployment, I can honestly say that I am now filled with a patriotism that I never knew before. I am sure that anyone who has gone through this can relate, but there is a sort of respect that you gain when you see the flag, or say the Pledge of Allegiance, or hear the National Anthem being sung. It really hits home for me, and I get cold chills, and get tears in my eyes thinking about the sacrifices that have been made so I can be here today.

Having Jeremy in the National Guard, we had always know that being deployed was a possibility, but it's just one of those things you hope and pray doesn't. I will always remember the day that I got the phone call from Jeremy telling me they had been called up. I was on my way to my brothers house for a family get together and Jeremy called me to tell me he was going to be late. I wasn't being very understanding about that, and let him know that I wasn't very happy about it. He proceeded to tell me he'd had a rough day and we needed to talk about something, but he wanted to tell me in person what it was about. So naturally I had all these things running through my head trying to figure out what he needed to tell me. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not the most patient gal, so of course I couldn't just wait for him to get there, I had to know right then. He agreed that he would tell me, but not until I had gotten to Shad and Julia's house and wasn't driving anymore. Now I was really nervous to what he was going to tell me. At that point I was driving past the Golf Course and about to get off the exit. I pulled up and had the kids get out and go in without me. I will never forget what he said to me after that... "I got a phone call today and our unit is being deployed". My heart just dropped, and the tears started to come. How could this be happening??? Then the questions started from me... WHEN... WHERE... HOW LONG? I couldn't believe this was happening to us.

We talked for a little bit and I cried A LOT, and then decided I better go inside. When I got inside everyone was wondering what was going on. All they knew was the kids went in and said, "My mom's talking to my dad on the phone and she is really mad." So they knew that I had been crying and then I broke the news to them. Let me just tell you, the mood went somber really quick. I am SO lucky to have such a GREAT family support. I knew whatever came my way I could handle.

The deployment day came and it was one of the hardest days I have ever had, but I knew that we would be ok. It was a long hard year, but we made it through it.

This is the first time we saw Jeremy after a year of being gone. There were so many emotions that day. Excitement, Pride, Love, Happiness, and Nervousness! I was SO nervous!

They tried to prep us for the reunion, telling us that the Soldier that we sent off would never be the same again. They really focused on PTSD and how real it is. I think that a lot of us wives thought and felt some of the same things. There were a lot of "unknowns" that we were facing and going to have to deal with, but we hoped that things would just be peachy once again. It's been really nice to have made so many GREAT friends with other "army wives" and to have them to lean on whenever we need each other. It is especially hard watching some of my best friends go through some very hard trials in their lives, many of which were brought on by their PTSD. But if there is one thing I learned through this deployment, it's that we are stronger than we ever thought possible, and we will keep pushing on and get through whatever might come our way.

I am extremely blessed to have such a great husband. I am so proud of him for serving our country. I can honestly say that I am a much stronger person having gone through this, and I know that we can handle anything that comes our way.

My little man & his new glasses

Isn't he just the cutest in his new glasses?

Last week we took Bryson to the eye dr. and found out that he needs glasses. The main reason that I even took him in was because he has been getting headaches for a couple months. He missed the day at school when they do the little eye screening, so when Jeremy had an appointment, I had him get Bryson in too. Well, we found out that his eyes are really bad. I have always kind of thought there might be something wrong with his eyes, and I guess the mothers intuition was right. He was really excited about getting his new glasses, but it has been really hard for him to get used to them.

Today was his first day with them at school and my mom was in the faculty room for lunch when someone came in asking if there was a "Grandma Beckstrand" in there. So she went out in the hall and Bryson handed her his glasses and said, "Here Gram, I don't need these. I can see fine without them." So she told him that yes he really did need to wear them and he then told her that they irritate him! Seriously what kindergarten kid uses the word irritate? Well, Bryson does, and quite often too. Everything lately is irritating. What a crack-up he is. So hopefully he will get used to them real soon.

Is there something in my hair???

Tylie was being very quiet this morning, so when that happens it usually means trouble! So I went in search of her and I found her in my bathroom, looking like this! She had gotten into the closet and found a new bottle of kids body wash and went to town. Once again, instead of yelling, I opted for grabbing my camera and capturing the memories.
She poured it in this bowl and was scooping it out and putting it on her head.
Here is what's left of the brand new bottle of body wash! I threw her in the shower and let me tell ya, it took a long time to get all the bubbles out!

I've decided that some days I just have to laugh cause what else can ya do???

My new calling...

Yep, that's right, I got a new calling in Church yesterday. I am the 2nd counselor in the Relief Society Presidency! WHAT??? I know nothing about RS, but I am actually really excited. Tammy Beckstrand is the new President, and Janeen Hare is the 1st counselor so I am really excited to get to work with these ladies! They are so much fun. The secretary hasn't been called yet, but I am sure it is going to be someone equally as fun. So beware, I am going to be asking for lots of ideas when I get going since I am going to be over the enrichment part of it! I am excited about that since I love to go to enrichment. So Ann, beware, I am going to want all your ideas since I know how much you put into it!

Business in the front, Party in the back!!!

Business in the front, Party in the back... STLB... Tennessee Top Hat, Two Haircuts in One... Kentucky Waterfuall... Ape Drape... Hockey Hair... Forbidden Hair... Norco Neck Warmer... Achy Breaky Hair...

So, If you haven't figured it out yet, my post today is on the MULLET. I am wishing that my Bro Kyle was home today because I know that he has many more names than these!

So, yesterday I was hanging out at my fav sis's house and Carlie came in and told us that Tylie cut her hair. At first we just figured that she meant with the "play scissors" that Carlie has, but when we told her to go get the scissors she used, sure enough, they were real ones. When we finally got her to come in the room and show us, this is what we saw...

My sweet little Tylie has a mullet! I am one of those mom's now! We have been working on growing her sides out for, oh, almost 3 years now (and she is almost 3 years old), so pretty much her entire existance! So, I guess now we start all over! I called one of my friends who lives down the road from me and she came to the rescue and got her all fixed up, at least the best she could. So, now her hair is very short again, but we'll just start all over and work on growing it all out once again!

So here is the finished look, and she still looks pretty darn cute, and MUCH better than she did this morning sporting her mullet!

Pay It Forward

So, I got this from a friend. The first 3 people to leave a comment on this will receive a hand made gift from me during this year. When and what will be a surprise. There's a small catch...You knew there would be didn't you? Post this on your blog then come back and leave a comment, telling me you're in. Fun, huh? Remember, only the first 3 comments receive the gift. Let's see who looks at my blog!

Happy Birthday Addi

Today is my little niece Addison's birthday! I can't believe she is 4 already. Addi is such a cutie and Tylie loves to play with her. For Addi's birthday, she wanted a princess party, so she got it! All the kids got to come in their princess costumes and Julia had some really fun things for them to do, including a "real princess" surprising them and showing up at the party. The girls were so excited about it.

This is Addi in her new "Wedding Dress" that her grandma gave her for her birthday. What a little doll she is!

She has been asking her mom for a wedding cake for her birthday cake, so I helped Julia put this cake together, and I think it turned out so stinkin cute!

Addi, Carlie, and Tylie. What cute little princess cousins!
Do ya think I could get them to all look at the same time???

Oh, I whipped up Tylie's little tutu this morning so she could wear it to the party. It was super easy and it turned out pretty darn cute if I do say so myself :)