It's Always Better when We're Together

In honor of one of the sweetest girls I know, today's post is about coming home. Our dear friends the Reed's will be reuniting later this afternoon after Mike's 2nd 6 month deployment in 2 years. Military life is hard, there is no way around that. But, there are also some things about military life that are completely wonderful ... reunions are definitely #1!
There is nothing so sweet as that first glimpse of your husband's face as he rounds the corner in his uniform. In his face you see relief that he has come home safely, excitement to scoop you and his kids (who have grown leaps & bounds while he was away) up in his arms for the biggest hug you've ever had, and exhaustion from the time away, but most likely from the weary trip home. If you take a second glance, you'll see more in the face of your soldier. He's proud. Proud to serve his country, proud to wear that dusty camo in service to others who are so less fortunate than we, proud to come home to the family that has been by his side though he's been thousands of miles away. As his wife, all you can think is thank you Lord that he is home safe, thank you that he loves his job, thank you that he does what he does for me, for our kids, our friends, our community, and our country. All of this happens in slow motion over about 10 seconds while you see him, but you can't yet reach him. Some of us girls dissolve into tears immediately, others jump up and down even shouting "hurry up!", and others just stand there with a smile from here to there soaking it all in. And then, relief floods over your soul. Your hero is home, the boys are back in town, daddy is in the house. All of the things that broke while he was away (which are usually numerous!) will be taken care of, you're no longer in charge of the yard work (my least favorite thing to do!!), the kids have someone to wear them out past the point of exhaustion in the backyard (and you can sit and read a magazine - which you haven't done in months - while you enjoy the laughter). You will go to sleep tonight without a care in the world and wake up to realize that it wasn't a dream, he really is home. Welcome Home Mike ... Kami, you my friend, are amazing. Enjoy every precious minute!

Makey Mess

"MOM! Kate makey mess!" I heard from the kitchen as I was finishing up the last few things to get us out of the door to drop Will off at school on time. (I've noticed that Kate calls me "Mom" instead of "Mama" when she thinks she might be in trouble, yes she's 2 going on 13!)When I came around the corner she gasped and looked down at the pile of Lucky Charms like "how did that happen?!?" When I asked Kate to help me clean it up, she just kept STARING at the mess. One glance at the kitchen clock, and I knew I had to get a move on (as MY mama would say :o). I started scooping up handfuls of cereal and continued trying to encourage Kate to help me. Once I got all of the large pieces scooped up and back in the bag ... yes, I'm one of THOSE moms, I grabbed the vacuum to collect all of the Lucky Charms dust that was still in a pile on the floor. I had to maneuver all around my sweet little girl, because she was still staring at the mess.

Later that afternoon, when the messmaker was napping, I was thinking about the events of our morning rush. Then it hit me. Our life has been in high gear lately and honestly, I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all. But instead of doing anything about it, I have just been staring at the mess.

Some things just needed to go. Facebook. Ugh. I heart facebook - way too much, just being real! I hated to deactivate my account. How would I know who was having a baby? I'd miss out on the last minute trips to Chick-fil-a. And the pictures, oh how I love to look at people's pictures. BUT, over and over again, I was feeling convicted that I was giving fb too much of my time. I tried limiting myself, but it just wasn't working. SO I deactivated and it's amazing how much more I've gotten done during Kate's nap time this week. Maybe one day I'll be old enough to manage a facebook account wisely :o)

Some things needed to be re-organized or scheduled. When I first began staying at home after teaching for several years, I quickly made out "lesson plans" for my days. I just couldn't help it. Over the past few years, I've gotten away from that, but I recently realized how helpful it is for me to have a plan for my days. I know it won't all always get done and sometimes none of it will be accomplished, but at least I have an idea of how our day might play out.

Some things just are the way they are. I decided that I need to stop complaining about the little league schedule. Yes, I think it's a bit much for 6 year olds to have three 2-2 1/2 hour practices a week. This week we have a double header on Monday night and another game on Thursday. It sometimes frustrates me a little, okay a lot. BUT, Will loves it. John loves it. Kate loves it. Once I get there, I enjoy it too. So, it's only temporary and it is something that we can do together as a family. I'm choosing to put a smile on my face (a real one) the next time the coach texts that we're going to have an extra practice.

These are just a few things that have been making the days a little crazy lately. Instead of being discouraged, exhausted, and feeling guilty over not getting things done the way I want them to be done - you know, STARING at the MESS, I'm going to get up and do something about the things I can do something about. Time is precious, and I don't want to waste one minute!

"And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? ...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:27 &33

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." John 3:16-17

You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma

Katharine Allison Schloss celebrated her 2nd birthday on February 4th (yes, this post and many others are long overdue!). Before she was born, I wondered what she would look like, how she would laugh, and how quickly she would sleep through the night (hey! these are honest thoughts of a mom who is about to have her second, or third, or fourth ... child). Now that I've had two years to watch her grow, I just can't imagine our lives without this precious, wild, funny, crazy girl. Just a few thoughts to document this time in her life:

1. Kate is still sleeping in her crib. Actually she really enjoys playing in it too. I might just keep her in there until she starts kindergarten.
2. She has two favorite stuffed doggies ... Georgia and Major who are already well loved.
   
3. Kate loves to eat. If I say breakfast time (or lunch, dinner, or snack) she yells back "O-kay" and comes running. She eats most everything except eggs. Before you go getting jealous, Will is definitely a picky eater!
4. She is really into "coyors" and "kickers". A piece of paper, a sheet of stickers, and some crayons will keep her busy for a long time.
5. Kate is C-R-A-Z-Y about her big bubba (and the feeling is mutual!). She misses him when he leaves for school and she's thrilled to wake up from her nap, because that means it's time to "Go get Bubba!!!"
6. She is especially fond of going any where with her daddy. It doesn't matter if it's to Lowe's, the car wash, or the Recycling center, if he asks her if she wants to go, she promptly says "Bye Mama!"
7. She almost always wants her mama to put her to bed.
8. Kate does not like to be "scrappy backed". (That's how Will used to ask for us to scratch his back ... and it stuck)
9. She loves Barney. I'm not sure how this happened because I don't think Will ever watched one single episode of the purple dinosaur.
   
10. Kate adds the "y" sound to the end of a lot of words ... sleepy good, makey mess, takey nap (more like, NO takey nap!) squeezy tight (she says that when she gives you a hug, and I love it!).

We know that we got more than we bargained for and way more than we deserve when God chose to send Kate to our family. We love you beautiful two year old!