Brownies

Making brownies with Mom is fun.....

but licking the spoon is by far the BEST part!

A Fun Sunday Afternoon

We spent the afternoon at Birdie's Play Center in Chesapeake. Erin, Jack and Sylvia went with us to enjoy lots of jumping, running and playing. After we were all tired out, the crew headed back to our house and ate a yummy chicken dinner together. It's nice to have another friend, with children the same age as mine, that lives so close. Her husband is also gone, so she has been a real support for me and the girls. Thanks Erin! We love our dinners, play dates, days at the park and our many other adventures!

DD 38

Well, 6 weeks in and I finally ordered some take-out. Too tired to cook tonight....

DD 37 A Night Out for Mommy

Last night Kim, Shannon and I headed out for a girl's night at the Tilted Table. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and some really tasty wine. I had the BEST spinach salad ever!! The night was extremely relaxing and we had so much fun just talking and laughing. It was great to be around other adults and have a stimulating conversation. Well, stimulating until the wine kicked in and then there was a lot more giggling. Thanks for a great night ladies! Can't wait for the next time....

Congratulations Kim and Larry!

Kim, 18 Weeks

We're so happy all your dreams are coming true. Can't wait to meet baby McElvain in April!

DD 36

Cool aprons I ordered from the girl's Preschool fundraiser. They will be wonderful for painting, arts and crafts and baking with Mommy. The company is called Original Works.

We also ordered some fun note cards. Check them out... http://www.originalworks.com/

DD 35

Another unexpected surprise today. They came with a sweet note, but no name. Who ever sent these, please let me know. They are beautiful and really brightened my day. Now I have two beautiful flower bouquets to admire and the house smells great! Thank you so much!

Thank You

A personal request written by my cousin, Jerome Schorr, who proudly serves his country in the United States Army.

"This Tuesday, November 11th, is Veteran's Day. For most it means a potential 3-day or 4 day weekend. As you run your errands this weekend keep an eye out for those Vietnam, Korean, and what remains of the proud WWII veterans. Take a minute to say thank you, and then take an additional minute to ask an open ended question about where they served or what they did...and then wait a moment, look them in the eye to let them know that you are really listening. Give them the opportunity to share their story if they want to. I bumped into a Vietnam Veteran today and really did little more than offer my sincere thanks and a handshake for his service... What transpired was an hour long conversation that defined why I serve. The stories he shared with me motivated me, provided me with inspiration, made my day. I know my request was to provide thanks to a veteran, but I think you will be surprised at how much it does for you to see the warmth in their eyes.

Let me share one of his stories that really moved me...A couple of years ago he was approached by a woman who hugged him and welcomed him home thanking him for his service. When he stepped back looking a bit confused, afterall he's approaching sixty, retired sometime ago, and was wearing a Vietnam Veteran cap she looked him in the eyes and said "I don't think that you got the welcome home that you deserved when you first came back from Vietnam years ago".

One of the benefits I have experienced serving in the military today is an overwhelming support from the American people. That unfortunately hasn't always been the case. Take a moment this weekend and let them know that they are appreciated. My Sergeant Major made a similar request of me, well my entire brigade this morning, I make the same request of you. Happy Veteran's Day."

Happy Veteran's Day and thank you to all the brave men and women who have served our great country. Another thank you to all the families that stand behind them and offer support while they serve. Here is the beautifrul surprise I received today from my solider thanking me. I love you Honey.

Smoothie Anyone?

Our weekly Saturday routine involves morning gymnastics, some light shopping and going out to eat for lunch. This week we went to Tropical Smoothie Cafe. The girls LOVED getting their very own strawberry banana smoothie. Here are some pics I snapped of them enjoying our lunch date.

1 MONTH DOWN, 5 TO GO

We have officially made it through 1/6 of this deployment. The first month started slowly, but time seems to be moving more quickly these days. I think we are in a good routine and are consumed with the busy holiday season. Some days are better than others, but I am managing. We are fortunate to talk to Jeff on a regular basis and the girls love chatting on the web cam with him. Jeff enjoys his job, but is extremely busy. He is working 15 hour days, 7 days a week with a lot of traveling. I am thankful he is not in a direct combat zone, but I am still nervous about all his traveling around the Middle East. Make sure you keep him and all our brave soldiers in your thoughts and prayers.

During the last month the girls have had their moments, they miss Daddy terribly. I too have my days, I miss being with my best friend. It's hard to go through all the day to day motions and not feel sad that he is missing so much with the girls. However, technology and all our advanced planning is really paying off. I think the girls feel connected to him, even though there are so many miles between us. I just hope he knows how much we all miss him!

So, we're on to month 2!! This month, Thanksgiving, the onset of Christmas and a visit from my good friend Kelly. We are also busy planning our 3 week trip home to Maine for the Holidays. Thanks to all our family, friends and neighbors. Your love and support are helping us get through this. If you get a second, drop Jeff an email. He loves hearing from people and staying connected to his life back here in Virginia. If you need his email, let me know. Also, I love new blog comments. Drop me a note and let me know you were here. The blog is the main way Jeff is staying up to date with the girls, so there will be constant updating. Be sure to keep checking back....

In Just 24 Hours

In just 24 hours I dealt with my first onset of deployment disasters. First, while washing the dinner dishes our kitchen faucet broke and sprayed water every where under the sink. Thank God we have a plumber as a neighbor and he rushed over and fixed the problem (thanks so much for your help Rob). After my fiasco with sink was cleaned up, I woke up to yet another disaster. After dropping the girls off at school, the van got a flat tire. Now, one would think I got the tire changed and all was right with the world again. Well, after 3 days of dealing with a local Service Center, 3 Tire Places and Toyota, I now have 2 new runflat tires on my Sienna Minivan. I would get into every little sorted detail of why this was such a complex problem, but I really just want to forget it all happened. Let's just say this...many of you may not know what a "runflat" tire is and neither did I before Thursday. Now I know the price, design, make, model, size and several different brands of runflat tires. I am more educated than I EVER care to be on replacing and maintaining tires. I also know who to call for help when I'm in trouble. A big thanks to Lee, Cindy and my Mom, I appreciate all your help and advice during my van crisis.

Now on to month 2... bring on the disasters, I'm ready!

DD 29

Another rainy day, how about some cards Mom?

Doing My Part

I'm so proud of our country

and happy that my vote supported this important moment in history.

DD 27

A fun day at Red Wing Park... wish you were here Daddy. We miss you!!

A Real Friend...

...Runs the weed whacker while you mow!

Thanks for helping with another round of fall chores Michelle!

Loot

Emma and Lily taking stock and thoroughly enjoying the fruits of their labor Halloween night.

Be sure to pause the music on the right to hear Emma counting...

DD 25

It was sad to see my sister and Cailyn go home. We had SUCH a fun week and made so many memories with the girls. The three of them played so well together and April and I had tons of quality sister time. Their visit was at a perfect time, I was really getting tired and emotional from the first few weeks of a new routine. They also helped us finish up our last few days of deployment month one. Thanks for coming April and Cailyn, we can't wait for our visit at Christmas.

Dancing to "Girl's Just Want to Have Fun!"

Halloween 2008

Our Halloween:
We were so fortunate to have April and Cailyn here to share Halloween. We started the day off at the VA Zoo. We wanted to keep the girls busy, so we wouldn't have them (or us) anxious for trick or treating. After a fun morning of animal gazing and an afternoon picnic, we headed back to the house for a little rest. Around 4:30, we got the girls dressed and web chatted with Daddy, Grammy and Grampy Shaw and Nana and Papa. Technology is truly wonderful!! After all the web chatting, we were just about to head out and we got a call from my friend Erin. Her son Jack was unexpectedly sick, so we offered to take Sylvia with us for the evening. SO...it was me, April and four little girls under four trick or treating!!

Although it was a little hectic (herding cats would have been easier), we all had a blast. Our street does such a great job of being outside and enjoying the Halloween fun with the entire neighborhood. Lily was our "pretty witch", Emma, a Navy Cheerleader, Cailyn, a Victorian lady and Sylvia, a fairy. Here are loads of pictures. You know me...I just can't help myself. I guess it's the scrapbooker in me. Always trying to get the perfect shot. Enjoy...

DD 23

We REALLY do love each other!

Preschool Halloween Concert

On Thursday, Lily's preschool hosted a small Halloween concert in the courtyard. It was a cold and windy morning, but the kids were all troopers with lots of energy and big smiles. They started with a costume parade and then sang four Halloween songs. Lily was so cute, I could tell she was cold. However, she still managed to sing her little heart out and hang on to her witch's hat in the fierce wind. Here are a few pics and some short video clips.