Guess who's back, back again...

We have been officially MIA for the last 4 1/2 months. The LONGEST I've ever gone without blogging since I started this blog over 3 years ago! Pathetic. To make a long story short, we had some serious computer/hard drive/camera problems and we've been super duper busy. So I'm going to go waaaay back to July and post everything I have procrastinated.

Dallas went back to Iraq in July, here's a few more pictures from leave.

 The night before Dallas' plane took off.

Dallas' flight left super early in the morning. The night before we left, we sat Amaya down and talked to her about how Dad had to go back to Iraq. Even though she's so little, she mostly understood what we meant. Both the girls did super good at the airport, it was easier sending him back, knowing that he'd be home in just a couple more months. As we were telling him goodbye, I looked over and there was a man sitting and waiting for a flight who was watching us and crying. The compassion our family received from perfect strangers while Dallas was gone is amazing. I was very touched that someone who I didn't even know us would have such compassion on our situation. When Dallas actually left for the airplane, he gave each of us a kiss and went through security. Amaya was a little clingy, but we told her that she needed to stay here with me and Oaklie and she did fine. When we went to the parking lot to get in the car, Amaya had a complete meltdown; she realized we were leaving the airport without Dad. I called my dad (he's the only I know who's awake that early in the morning) to let him know that Dallas got off okay. He decided to go into work that late and took me and the girls out for breakfast, which was so sweet.

TWENTY SIX

My favorite picture of Dallas. I love watching him being a dad.

I always tease Dallas that he is such an old man. No matter how old I get, he will always be five years older

Halloween a couple years ago. Look at that old man!

I may not have been there when Dallas was born, but I'm very grateful that his parents decided to have another little boy.

Once I got a look at Dallas' baby pictures, I knew I needed to tap into that gene pool.  He has lots more adorable ones, but we are having technical difficulties.

I felt bad that Dallas wasn't home for his birthday, and I wasn't even able to send him a birthday package because they stopped running mail to his base, so I am grateful we were able to celebrate it while he was home. For the post, click here.

Dallas, even though I tease you about getting old, every year we grow older together is a blessing and a joy. I love you so much!

Here's to spending your next birthday together and many, many more to come!

TWO

I know all moms say this, but I can't believe it has been two years since we brought this beautiful girl home from the hospital.

Amaya,

Watching you learn and grow these last two years has been an absolute joy. We are so grateful that you are ours forever. You have an enthusiasm for life that is infectious! In the last year, it has been so fun to watch you go from a baby to a running, talking, crazy little girl.  We have loved watching you learn to talk and hearing what is on your mind.  Amaya, you have been such a good friend to your momma while your dad has been gone. You are a very maternal little girl and have been a great big sister to Oaklie (and a good mom to AbbyJo!) Your little testimony will continue grow as you go to "nursey" and learn about Jesus. Never forget how much He and Heavenly Father love you and how much your family loves you! Thank you for always being willing to give a hug and share your fruit snacks.  

We love you very much and are so excited for all of the laughs and silly stories the next year will bring. Happy 2nd birthday!

Love,

Mom and Dad

For Amaya's actual birthday we went to the lake with Shacie and her little ones. Of course, neither of my kids wanted anything to do with the water, but they had fun playing in the sand and snacking.

Cute little cousins

Our little sand eater.

Grandma Clark made Amaya a "orse" cake complete with "orse poop" (chocolate chips)

My sister sewed these cute little matching skirts for Amaya and AbbyJo. Amaya thought it was so neat. (The puzzle in the background is from Grandma and Grandpa Abrams)

Happy Birthday Amaya Belle!

R&R Part 3: Happy Birthday Shoo-Shoo!

Dallas narrowly missed Amaya's birthday (Jul 16) and his birthday (Jul 20) so we celebrated them while he was home on leave. The four of us went and picked out a trike for Amaya so Dallas could teach her how to ride it while he was home.

A few days after this Amaya was riding trikes and bikes with her cousins and heard everyone call theirs a bike.  I asked her if she was having fun riding her trike and she said, "No, it a bike!"

I bought all the stuff to make a baseball cake and told Dallas to put it together.  Apparently this is a fairly accurate scale model.

Always the rebel...

It's amazing the kind of stuff you can get away with on your birthday.

2nd generation rebel.

If you're wondering about the title of this post, it took Amaya awhile to learn how to say "Happy birthday TO YOU."

R&R Part 2: Independance Day

It was so fun to have Dallas home for the 4th of July.  This year was our FOURTH fourth of July together and the FOURTH year in a row that he played in a softball tournament with his friends.  Yes, we were there in 2010, 2009, and 2008. (pictures on our wedding video).  The last two years in a row I was HUGELY pregnant with Amaya (Jul 16) and Oaklie (Aug 20).  It was so fun to enjoy the warm weather this year without swollen ankles :) I was planning to take more pictures, but I yammered the whole time and only got a few.  Luckily other people took lots and sent them to me, so thanks everyone!

  

2011

Amaya thought she was on the team.

 Amaya "ran" in the 1-2 year old foot race.  I use the term loosely because she stumbled and bawled the whole way to the finish line.  I felt like a stage mom. 

This is the reason I didn't get many pictures of Oaklie.

We love Independance Day!  I love that we all celebrate and have fun, because freedom is a very joyous thing. 

We got together with Dallas' family that night for food and fireworks.  Amaya and Oaklie had a blast playing with their cousins and playing with the fireworks. (Alright, Oaklie was asleep almost the whole time.  Poor little sleepyhead).

 

 Aww...look at all those cute little cousins in their mini camping chairs.  I'm obsessed with miniature objects, which is probably why I got up at 6:00 a.m. on the 4th to go buy baby camp chairs.

*cue music* "Baby you're a firework..."

Aren't these two little cousins so sweet?

Of course, Independance Day this year is especially special concerning our current situation as a family, but hopefully it is very special for everyone because we all enjoy the blessings of our beautiful country. I have a firm testimony of the great plan He has for our nation and I am grateful for the righteous men who played such a vital role in the birth of our nation.

It is such a blessing just to be able to go to church with my little family, and not worry about being harmed.  I'm thankful every night when I put my little girls in a warm bed with full tummies. 

"Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ, who hath been manifested by the things which we have written." --Ether 2:12

"For I, the Lord, the king of heaven, will be their king, and I will be a light unto them forever, that hear my words." --2 Nephi 10:14

If you're looking for a good read, try "America's Promise" by President Marion G. Romney.