Miles is 4!

Miles turned 4 last week and we had a party at Pump It Up. It was such a blast and Miles first real party ever. We split it with a neighbor friend as her daughter's birthday was the same week and we shared so many of the same friends. Here are some pics from Miles' very special day!

1 month down, forever to go.

That's right, 1 whole month down and 6 long months to go before we'll see Brad again. I am trying to dwell on the good so...

Memaw is here! Already the help has been tremendous. I was on SURVIVAL mode with these kids and I hate to say it, but I felt like the kids were suffering because they never got a "refreshed" Mommy, just crazy Mommy! I never slept more than 2 hours a time at night and I haven't had an ounce of personal time to myself the past 30 days. The combination of those 2 things can really make you nutty. That mixed with not having the support of a spouse to help or just plain ol' give you a hug just drug me down. I feel like Memaw needs to wear a superman cape, because that's what she is to me at this point... my superhero!

Miles has completed 2 whole weeks of preschool and he just loves it! They have chapel, playtime, snacks, Bible stories and crafts every day. It's such a sweet preschool. He is turning 4 in about a week. I can't believe it! Brad is sending me a video to play for his birthday for him. I know it will just thrill his heart. We are having a big party at Pump It Up with his neighborhood friends. He'll be so excited because it's his first birthday party ever!

Brad is doing well in Afghanistan. His living conditions are not great though. Actually, they are horrible and that's just him being modest. Sometimes I feel like American's (especially non-military towns) just don't get it. People have gotten so used to the idea that we are in a war and forget that these men are STILL truly sacrificing everything... It can be so frustrating when I hear people complain over the silliest things. Brad's conditions are like this: He eats the same bland MRE everyday. Poops on top of other guy's poop- which is in a big can that has to be burned every night (sorry just keeping it real), has no hot shower, living in over 100 degrees with his military gear on, and sleeping on a rock in a tent full of a dozen men and works 16+ hours every single day, and make sure that he and his fellow Marines don't die on a daily basis. No weekends. I know it's hard on them but they are so strong and never complain. It truly is a service they are doing. If anyone ever wants to send him or his guys a care package, please feel free. Most of the guys in his shop are young and single and could use a sponsor.

They need babywipes, hand sanitizers and any kind of canned food so they can catch a break from the MRE's. I know magazines and things of that nature are a nice distraction too.

Anyway, that's about it for here! Here's to hoping time flies. Fly fly fly!

Brad's unit 2/4 was in the news

Time for T-ball.

This was Miles' 2nd week of T-ball. He just loves it as you can see with the huge smile on his face. I only wish Brad could be here to see his boy play so well. I can't wait until a few years down the line when we have the real games.

Matthew at almost 3 months

Top 10 moments

Top Moments from the past few weeks.

10. Painting Brad's toenails. It is a deployment tradition. The goal is to still have some polish left by the time he comes home. Yes, he gets weird looks. PS- He made it to his final destination in Afghanistan. Thanks for the prayers! :)

9. Making a Daddy bear from Build-A-Bear. Complete with 2 of Brad's recordings in each hand.

8. Meeting up with some friends from Germany. My friend Amber and family are stationed in San Diego. We met at a park in between our two cities. This is Petra and Miles. Can you believe that a little over a year ago these two were running around Venice, Italy together?

7. Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. I've been doing her workout DVD for 6 weeks now and can tell a huge difference already! It's more than losing weight to me. I'm determined to get into the best shape of my life!

6. Smiles from Matthew. He has finally started to smile on a daily basis. Don't get me wrong, we still do at least 3 hours of random screaming a day. But at least he has added some smiles in there.

5. Pool days. Still loving the 75 degree weather!

4. 20 mile trips to Target. Loading up the cart. Then realizing you left your wallet at home.

3. Star Wars parties. I decided to watch these movies and finally see what the big fuss is all about. Trying to decide if I should start with movie 1 or 4.

2. Preschool. Our big boy is officially in school. Today was his first day actually. He didn't have too much to say about it when I picked him up. He just requested Mac-n-cheese for lunch.

Before

After

1. 9/11/11 - Can't believe it's been 10 years. I had my breath taken away when I awoke that morning and the whole base shut down and played TAPS. It was really a beautiful moment.

More photos

A few more photos. These are from Brad's last night home.

Miles took this picture. It's so crooked that I actually love it. :) Brad was shocked that I let him hold and shoot with the "fancy" camera. The hilarious part is that he didn't stop taking pictures, even as I was running towards him. It's like he made a silent movie of me freaking out while running towards him.