Happy Halloween 2010

The kids had so much fun tonight, and they all looked great!!
The typhoon took all the rain with it, so we had wonderful Fall weather...It was a bit windy though.

"Alice"

The Joker

Wonder Woman

Superman

... I think it's time for me to get a better camera!!

A School PLay

Written, directed, and performed by these characters...

Interrupting this regularly scheduled blog to wish my sister, Lori, a very Happy Birthday!!

You're the best sister I ever had!

Love you...an your little monkey, too!!

And now, back to the blog...

A Play... Just for me??

How lucky am I?!

PreSchool

Georgia and Luke have been going to the Courtney CDC (Child Development Center) once a week for the past month.

I love these two, but it is amazing what I can get done in this house when they are away for a few hours!

Jackson and I are getting more one on one time,  I am actually getting caught up on laundry, and they get to do things that we can't or don't do at home!

They have been enjoying their time there so much that I have decided to start taking them twice a week.

They think I am the best! 

I think this is what some like to call a "Win/Win"...

I agree!!

Daddy Dolls

Most of you have probably heard the story of our Daddy Dolls, but for those of you who haven't...
I heard about Daddy Dolls from a sweet friend of mine who's husband is also deployed right now.
I asked Wade to get a picture taken so we could order a couple for our little ones, and in true Marine Corps fashion, he took a picture.... complete with Marine scowl and his pistol.

The dolls arrived and I was thrilled to see Georgia and Luke's reaction.

They opened them up, and in a startled voice with a face to match Georgia screamed..."What is that?!"

I had to laugh as they searched their "dolls'" faces for details, and finally smiled, realizing that it indeed was their sweet Daddy!

They love their Daddy Dolls, but I have to tell you... Georgia has asked more than once where the one with her smiling Daddy is!   : )

Wednesdays with Wade "Week 11 in Kabul"

Talk about a crazy week. 
At this time last week, I was just getting my feet wet in my new job. 
On Saturday, out of no where, my boss went down hard. He got sent to the hospital for surgery, and now I have officially replaced him.  He will be going home shortly. 
Of course, most of you know that I like being the boss, so I will not complain, even  if it means I will have to do a little more work. 
The tempature has dropped over the past week. 
To compensate for the colder weather, I decided to get an electric blanket.  I gotta tell you, it was nice for the past few nights.  To my surprise, when I came home from Bible study tonight, I discovered that the heater is been turned on in my room and the room is now close to 100 degrees. 
In a ironic twist, I am on the search for a fan. 
Who says that God doesn't have a sense of humor. 
I haven't been outside much in the past week, so I didn't take any new pictures. 
Well... until next week.

Rainy Days and a Funny Sign

Bathroom sign in "The Dragon" in American Village

Howdy Strangers...

I know, I know... It has been too long.
I have been busy doing "everyday", and I just haven't had a chance to post anything.
So... for those of you who come here just to see the kids, which is pretty much anyone who is reading this,   you are in for a treat!
I don't think I will have time to come up with anything coherent or exciting, but i promise to post new pictures of them, everyday, for the next week (except for Wade's Wednesday, of course).

Speaking of Wade, continue to pray for him.
We have been so blessed to be able to see, talk, or e-mail each other more often than anything I would have ever imagined, based on past deployments. He is doing well, but we still have more than a couple months apart. His situations is ever changing lately, and we just continue to pray that he is doing what God has planned for him in Kabul.

And now, back to those kids...

Fall In Okinawa

Wednesdays with Wade "Week 10 in Kabul"

One week into my new job and new schedule and things are going smooth.  It took a few days to get into the new schedule, but I am on track and getting things done.  Well in an answered prayer this week, it looks like I may not get extended for a year after all.  I have a by name replacement identified and should be home in February as originally planned.  Things over all in Afghanistan seem to be improving despite the fact that we lost 22 Soldiers and Marines during the last week.  I can only pray for their families and find comfort in knowing that God's plan is being executed and they are with him now.  I was going to try to take a drive around Kabul this week, but it will have to wait until next week.    It is suppossed to get into the 30's this week, so winter is knocking on the door. 

I didn't take any pictures this week, so I will include one that I wanted to put in last weeks blog.  When I went to Camp Phoenix last week, I really didn't have a reason to go, short of getting out my prison for a few hours.  Here is a picture of me beating a few soldiers in pool. 

Well, I better get back to work.

Wednesdays with Wade "Week 9 in Kabul"

This week has been filled with new opportunities and a little bit of adventure.  After 7 weeks of working as the USFOR-A Battle Major, I have been promoted up to the Deputy of Current Operations.  In a few weeks I will assume the duties of Chief of Current Operations.  What this really means is that I will get more responsibilities, work more hours and receive the same amount of pay.  The positive thing that comes out of this is that I can an opportunity to try to make a few small changes that will hopefully make my replacements life a little easier.  As with almost everything in life, it's the small victory's that keep us in the fight for another day.  The good news for the week is that after 5 weeks of not seeing the outside of my walls on NKC, I was able to take a trip over to Camp Phoenix.  Although Camp Phoenix isn't necessarily a special place, it was nice to see some different scenary and to see the people of Kabul carrying on with their daily lives as we drove through the traffic to get there.  Here are a few pictures:

Getting ready to leave

Your average Kabul Apartment complex

Thats all for now, see you next week

Wednesdays with Wade "Week 8 in Kabul"

Well I know that I am a few days late, but it has been an exciting week.  After 7 weeks of living in the tent, I have upgraded to a building, with a room and only 2 roomates.  Yes, 2 is better than 20.  Although I don't have a lot of time this week, I wanted to show a few pictures of my new room.  The  red Christmas stocking came with the room, so I will just leave it up, since Christmas is my favorite holiday. 

Wade's late..

Since Wade's late with his "Wednesdays with Wade" Post (because he said he didn't have anything to talk about), I thought I'd just let everyone know that he is doing well...see!

He is enjoying his new room, and hoping to get a new work schedule soon.

Until he posts...enjoy these pictures of the kids at YogurtLand... again!

Luke showing off his gummy "Army guy".

Georgia showing off her "tiny strawberry"candy

What it looks like before the kids get to it..I know, kinda gross, huh?!

Luke makes sure he gets every last drop.

 Yogurt is DONE...

And luckily for Mommy, so are they!!

Like rollerslides...
Yogurtland never gets old!