~ Happy 2011! ~

I just have to share with all of you that today is a GREAT day. I woke up with Millie curled up by my legs and two little heads peeking over the side of my bed. I got two great big happy New Year hugs and two wet New Year kisses. I rolled over, checked my phone, and saw that My Jay made it to his final destination. After 6 long days of travel, Jason is finally at Kandahar Airfield. You may ask why exactly this is so great. Well, today we get to begin our official count down to bringing Jason back HOME!!! To top things off, we got a phone call to go along with all of our excitement. It’s always so nice to see his wonderful face smiling back at all of us!

I couldn’t think of a better way to start our family blog for this brand new year than to share with all of you the special gifts that the children received in the mail yesterday. When we got word that Jason was going to deploy, I emailed the wonderful community at the Watertown Family YMCA in New York. They provide an amazing service to our military families. I was asked to email some pictures and the final result was absolutely incredible.

~A Special Message For Each Of The Kids~

Hello! My name is K.C. That stands for Kid Comfort. Actually, my full name is Operation Kid Comfort, but you can call me K.C! I am a quilt and I know I am not supposed to talk but I just wanted to let you know how special you are. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you to not be able to see your Daddy every day.

Hopefully I can help with that, just look at me! There are pictures all over me of you and the people that love you the most. Your name is on there and the Seal of your Daddy’s military organization is there as well!

I want you to know that it is okay to hurt and it is okay to cry. You can drag me around as much as you like. Sleep on me, cover yourself up with me, and hug me! I promise that I’ll stay with you and help you get through these tough times. You also do not have to worry about getting me dirty, I can be washed in cold water and dried in the dryer on the low setting. So, get ready to enjoy me!

I also wanted to let you know that lots of other people who helped make me are also thinking special thoughts about you and your Daddy. There is a person that cut the fabric another that printed out all your pictures and some very special Grandmothers who sewed me together and got me ready so that I could belong to you and you only!

Have fun with me and know that your Daddy is always thinking about you and wishes as much as you do that he could be with you.

Your buddy,

K.C.

Bryanna's Quilt

 

Kalyssa's Quilt

Travin's Quilt

 I was told that I had to be in some pictures too because "all of the pictures we take right now are for Daddy." (Sometimes having a smartypants daughter doesn't work in favor =)

This is a special gift Jason and I received in the mail from a very special guy up in Utah. In case you can't tell what it is, we have actual turf from Angel Stadium. Yup, I didn't know whether to cry from joy or scream from excitement. THANK YOU GARY!!!!!

Welcoming a brand New Year!

Trav has found a safe place to keep Daddy's hat until he returns =)

 Our New Year's Eve Dinner:

Pancakes and Homemade Biscuits

11:00 p.m.

 11:30 p.m.

Travin didn't make it until midnight but the girls held on strong. 

We are looking forward to the new thing's that God will help us discover in our lives this year. We have chosen to let go of the past and we are excited about our future because we are a very blessed family of 5!

Happy 2011 Everyone!!!