Back in September we had family pictures taken by Brianne Serrano. She's taken our family pictures for a long time, but these are probably my favorite!
Friday, December 23, 2011
Welcome Home Dallas!
This is Dallas' first picture back in the USA on September 3. I can't even explain the relief I felt when I knew he was in the United States, even though I couldn't see him for a few more weeks. Dallas spent about two weeks in Washington for demobilization training. It was so great, after more than nine months of waiting for him to appear on Skype to be able to sign out and text him whenever I wanted to! We played "Words With Friends", talked on the phone, sent picture messages, and looked forward to him coming home!
On September 14 Dallas flew into Idaho Falls. I had next to no notice to get me and the girls ready, the house clean, and to drive all the way from Rexburg to the Idaho Falls airport. I hyperventilated and sped the whole way there. Thanks to a miracle (and my mom parking the car for me) I got there with five minutes to spare. The important thing is that I got there on time!
While Dallas was gone, Amaya always talked about "Dad's Airpwane". We lived near the airport, so every time she would see or hear an airplane (like 5 times a day) she would say, "Look! Dad's Airpwane!" and pretend to be an airplane. I told her every day for a week before he came home that Dad was getting off of his airplane. When we went to the Aero Mark Hanger (the same place Dallas left from) we were able to watch the plane land. When the plane landed, everyone was cheering and Amaya started clapping her hands and yelling "Yay Dad! Yeah Dad airpwane!" The airplane taxied out of our view and looped back around. When the airplane left our sight, Amaya immediately went from cheering to bawling. She was heartbroken because she thought Dad had left again.
She didn't believe me when I told her it was coming back until she saw it for herself.
It was so awesome to see so many soldiers coming home at once to their cheering families. It was like those great homecoming videos on youtube on steroids, it was one of the best days ever to see so many people I'd come to know and care about over the last year be with their husbands again.
Oaklie was a little overwhelmed by the whole thing, but she warmed right up to him almost right away.
Dallas' Parents
My Parents
With Dallas' Grandparents (all of our pictures with them were blurry!)
One of my friend's husband came home at the same time. Here's her adorable little boy with Oaklie. They're the same age and are so cute together! I hope if we have a redheaded boy one day he looks just like him!
Here's a picture of our family almost exactly one year apart. It's amazing how much we have grown.
Yes, I know I looked terrible that day. I was much, much happier in the second picture.
Looking back, I'm so grateful for the year that we had to grow, even if it meant being apart from one another. I could fill books with the sweet and kind things other people said or did for us, the amazing amount of love our family felt while Dallas was deployed from so many people is overwhelming. I'm so grateful that for the love of our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ who comforts us during times of trial and makes more of us than we ever thought possible.
Happy First Birthday Oaklie!!!
I feel terrible that this is being posted so late, but our baby girl Oaklie turned ONE on August 20. I can't believe how fast the first year of her life went by.
Oaklie,
It has been almost two years since I found out I was pregnant with you. I have loved every day I have been able to spend with you. I think of you as my "first born in the wilderness" because you were born during a time of great trials in our family. You have such a sweet and calming spirit, and you have been such a comfort and joy to me. You have the most contagious, happy personality and you bring joy into the life of everyone you meet! I have loved watching you grown from a teeny little baby to a big girl! Your little smile has melted my heart since you were six weeks old. As soon as you started smiling you started laughing the most contagious, bubbly laugh! I have loved watching you interact with your sister--you are so patient with her! I hope you always have such an unconditional love for everyone you meet and continue to brighten every room you crawl or walk into. Never forget how happy you feel when you are nice to others whether or not they are nice to you. You are such a beautiful child of God--never forget how special you are to your mom and dad and your Heavenly Parents! So many people love you so much.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Oaklie got a baby doll for her birthday just like Amaya did. She loved her from the moment they first met!
Luckily Dad was able to catch the whole thing on Skype!
Look at that cute little mommy!
We went to the zoo for Oaklie's birthday. Kory and Hailey and Pax were able to come, as well as my mom and Nate. It was a blast!
I remember drinking from this fountain when I was little!
The whole gang (minus my mom who was taking the picture).
We love you Okee!
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.
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.
Dallas went back to Iraq in July, here's a few more pictures from leave.
The night before Dallas' plane took off.
Friday, August 12, 2011
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!
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