Packin' Heat

Okay...it's not a real bullet gun but it is a real pepper spray gun!! Pink and all!!! I had to have it because it was so cute...oh yeah and to protect myself!! Living out in town is very different. It's been a huge change from the neighborhood we lived in on base. We have lived off base before but it was different. I wasn't the age I am now and I didn't have two children who love to go and play outside whenever they want. We realized that the neighborhood behind us is not what we would have hoped for. So during a trip to the exchange I saw this and told Jay I wanted it. I went back and purchased it when I found out Jay would be going to the field. It's pretty awesome!! I laugh knowing that I have one but I never know when I might need to use my super-cute-hot-pink-pepper-spray gun!!

Pretty Puppy

So while cleaning out the garage yesterday Caiti kept herself occupied for a little while. She called me in the playroom to show me what she had done and this is what I saw! Suzi all dolled up!!!! LOL!!! It was so cute. Caiti had put barrets on her ears, a necklace on, a crown on her back and a bracelet (which was a hairband) on her leg. I couldn't help but laugh and Caiti said "it's not funny Mommy. She's beautiful" It kind of makes me wonder what I'd look like if I let her doll me up, hahah!!

He's Home...

...Max is HOME!! Praise God!!! Our sweet Maxi came home to us. God heard our prayers and has truly blessed us!!

Tonight I told Jay I'd like to go out for dinner and then run a couple errands afterwards. So we headed out to Central Park and went to Chili's for dinner. That is one of our favorite restaraunts but we won't be going to that particular location again!! Let's just say the manager cleared our entire check to $0.00!!! We had an enitred dinner and appetizer for free! After dinner, we took the kids to Toys R Us to let them spend gift money. Once we left there we headed over to Walmart and while we were in Walmart Max crossed all of our minds as we walked thru the pet section. The kids kept saying we needed to get Max more food and I said "no, not yet" because I really was starting to think he wasn't going to come home. We saw the cat tree we wanted to get him and I told Jay "there's the tree. I wish we could get it for him." So then we continued on our way. We finished our shopping and headed home. As we came down Route 1 my stomach was in knots again. Anytime I come near to the house I'd begin to feel sick to my stomach because I didn't want to go in knowing Max wasn't there. I was telling Jay I just wish he'd come home. We pulled up into the driveway and I got out to open the front door. Since Max left I have been constantly peeking around the side of the house only to be disappointed everytime. Well, I did it again tonight in hopes that I'd see him. Didn't see anything so I turned back to the front door when I heard.....MEOW!!!!!!!! I turned back really quick and saw him looking at me. I walked over to him and he looked a little unsure and scared. I called his name and he came right to me and I scooped him up and starting screaming...MAX IS HOME!!! JAY MAX IS HOME!!!! The kids heard me and started jumping up and down. We couldn't believe it. I told the kids...that is what happens when you pray to God. He hears us and now the kids got to see what prayer really does!!!

Welcome Home Max!!!

Sending a Little Love!

It's been really hard trying to adjust here at our new home. We left a lot of people we care for back in Cali. We had some pretty amazing friends/neighbors we spent a lot of our time with. Being here has made us realize how much we miss them and they wanted to show us just how much they miss us... I got this as a text last night and it brought a huge smile to my face then of course brought tears to my eyes. We miss all of you so much!!!

MISSING

Max is missing. Our sweet little kitty is gone. I noticed this morning I didn't have a good morning rub on my legs but didn't think much of it. Then we began getting ready to take Cory to school and I let Suzi out to go potty. Came back in to give her a treat and usually Max comes running when he hears the treats open up...no Max. Still didn't think too much of it so I left the house to take Cory to school and run my errands. I called Jay to ask if he had seen Max this morning and he said no. As soon as I got hom I began to look for him but unfortunately had no luck. Caiti and I did a search outside but found nothing. I'm not sure how far he's gone. Caiti and I came inside, sat at our table and she said a prayer. A very sweet prayer that broke my heart even more. Max means a lot to us and means the world to the kids. Please, please, please say a prayer for Max's safe return. Pray that God protects him and keeps him warm.

We love you, Maxi!!!

Cory's a Dragon!

Cory started his first day of school here in Virginia on Monday. It took a little while to get him into school because of dates available to get him in for a physical and Condor Elem. was out on spring break so I couldn't retrieve his records from there. We finally got him in for his physical and he started school after spring break here. He was very excited and I was very nervous! I thought about him all day. Hoping he didn't get lost (as the school is bigger than his last) and hoping he would like his teacher and make some new friends. I picked him up and he had a big smile on his face which brought one to mine!! I asked him the whole way home how his day was and he had so much to tell me. He told me about all the neat things they did in class. How at lunch you get a choice of two lunches plus a dessert! The teacher calls in from her room and lets the lunch lady know what each child would like so they know to have it out and ready when the kids come in line. It's pretty cool! Each classroom has a theme and Cory's class is the Education Safari. It's a really neat room. The school mascot is a Dragon, which Cory thought was pretty cool! I'm really looking forward to how he'll grow in this school. I'm sorry I didn't have any photos from his first day...it was kind of crazy! I'll post more about his school over the next couple of months till they are out for summer!

HERCULES

The other day Jay took us all fishing near where he works. We were out there for about two hours and started to pack the car up when we realized that a plane was getting ready to take off. It was the Air Force C-130 Hercules!! The kids were super excited as it literally took off right in front of us and flew

right over our heads. Boy was it loud!!! This is a very big! It can hold helicopters, vehicles as well as military personnel. The kids and I thought it was pretty awesome!!

Pinky's Up

So Caiti attended her very first "tea party" on Monday. You see it just so happens that a girl I attended high school with lives about 3 minutes from us and well, we ran into eachother at the grocery store the other day!! She proceeded to invite us to her daughters birthday tea party. Of course I couldn't pass up an opportunity to let Caiti get dressed up and actually leave the house looking like this!! So here is Caiti in her best tea party attire! This hat makes me think of a friend back in 29 Palms and I smiled everytime I looked at Caiti! She had such a good time and I had so much fun watching her act like a little lady with her friends. They all sipped out of pretty tea cups and ate mini cupcakes. It was adorable!!

A Place to Worship!

It's been about three years since our family has had a Church we felt comfortable in. When I say comfortable I am referring to many different things. We look at the kids ministry and what system they use to keep our kids safe, the way the pastor shares his sermon, the warmth from other members of the Church and the music. I won't sit here and "bash" some of the other Churches that we've attended but I will say that since attending Parkway Baptist in Orlando we kind of had certain expectations and those expectations had not been met until last week, Easter Sunday. Our friends here in Stafford (Jeannie and Robert) invited us to attend Church with them and we accepted. We really enjoyed the service. We decided to try it again today. This time we asked about the kids ministry and they were very helpful and took us right to where the kids needed to go. Cory was very unsure at first. He cried and did not want to go in the kids chapel. But I talked with him and some of the other ladies did as well and he let go of my hand and walked in. Caiti of course took to her class right away. She's always been my go-getter. Jay and I headed into service and I tried to pay as much attention as I could but had Cory on my mind. Hoping he was having a good time. Looking down at the band they gave me wondering if I should go get him... We sat thru a very good sermon given by a special guest, Eric Phillips. After the service we went up and got the kids. I got Caiti (who did not want to leave her class) and Jay went and got Cory. When I saw Cory come down with a huge smile on his face, I felt great!! They both LOVED their class. Cory talked almost the whole way home about what they did. They haven't been that excited about Church in a long time!! It feels great to know that we finally have a place to step into every Sunday and learn the word of God with others. It's been a long time coming and now things feel complete! I look forward to how our lives will grow in this Church.

Fun at the Park

The other day Jay and I took the kids over to Lunga Park on base. We had been hearing so much about it so Jay thought it would be fun to take the kids and eat lunch over there. We invited Jeannie and the girls to meet up with us. It was absolutely beautiful over there. The lake was gorgeous!!! We ate lunch, let the kids play at the park, took a walk thru the woods and took a lot of fun pictures of the kids. Jeannie even did a quick family photo shoot for us! We couldn't resist with the beautiful setting! Caiti and Maddie feeding the "goosies"

There is so much to do at this park. I can't wait for the summer to get here just so we can get the full Lunga Park experience! They have all kind of equipment you can rent and take out on the water. I think the kids will have a blast and Jay will love doing some fishing here!!

What's Been Going On...

Well, a lot has happened since we arrived here in Virginia. Let me start off by saying I absolutely love it here. It is even more beautiful than I imagined and I am sure I haven't even been able to get the full effect of it all. We love our house. Yes, of course there were a few flaws we found when we moved in but thanks to the good Lord we had somewhere to place our feet when we arrived. We are slowly getting settled in. Our boxes just came 3 days ago so we have been extremely busy trying to unpack 161 boxes and put all the furniture in it's rightful place. The kids have been adjusting extremely well and really do like it here. Cory is getting anxious to start school. We arrived just before Spring Break so he got lucky and has had quite a bit of time off from school! In between waiting for our boxes and then receiving them we have stayed busy doing other things. We joined the Johnson family, who was here on their Spring Break vacation, to the Marine Corps Museum. What an awesome place to visit!! We went and saw where Jay would be working and it's very different from any place he's ever worked. Caiti had her first friend over to play the other day. Maddie, who's family also lived in 29 Palms while we did got stationed out here as well. They've been out here a few months longer than us. A great family!! I'm so glad they are here and we are able to connect with them the way we have been! They invited us to attend an Easter Service at a Church they attened. We joined them and then went to their house for lunch and the kids did an easter egg hunt. It was a lot of fun. The kids get along really well. Caiti and Maddie were actually in dance class together in 29 Palms and Cory and Gracie were in the same class at school. We went to dinner with Brian, Jenny, Briana and Andy and Eva (Jenny's parents). We went to an Ale house and really enjoyed the night. Then we went to a BBQ house at their home to say goodbye to The Johnson family. So that basically sums up what's been going on here. There are a few pictures to go along with what you just read...enjoy!

Here is Caiti..she's feeding Suzi!

Jay, Cindy, Jenny and Brian after dinner.
Me and my Jenny...I miss her!

Our stuff finally arrived!!!

Me and BeBe

Caiti and Maddie...two peas in a pod!

Jenny and the girls

Yep..she chopped her hair off!!

Jay making breakfast on Easter

I made him put my apron on so he

didn't get his shirt dirty, lol!!

The kids ready to go hunt for eggs!

Cory and Gracie grabbing some eggs!

Caiti and Cory

Maddie getting her eggs!!

Cory getting more

Gracie and Caiti working on the other side!

Jay and Rob talking

Cory showing off all his eggs!

I'm pretty sure he's looking at Gracie here!! LOL!!

Maddie and Caiti posing with their eggs!

They keep a distance to try and fool everyone

but we all know.... hee hee!!

The Bell children and Evans children

(crazy kids)

Our first family photo in Virginia

Cory so excited to open his eggs!

Maddie super excited!!

Caiti and all her eggs!

So I just realized I didn't put up any photos from the Marine Corps Museum. I will add another post tomorrow when I have time so stay tuned...