the ants are coming, the ants are coming...

well, actually they are already here!

It was finally warm enough for Uncle Milton's to mail his ants!yes, the label says, "ANTS CAN BITE." no pressure...
I finally figured out how to make the transfer with the lowest probability of escapees. We did have one casualty during transfer, but he totally made a break for it and freaked us all out a bit!
Checkin' em out...
I think he's really gonna LOVE this!

(Now, if you don't mind praying that Walker doesn't dump this thing in my bedroom...I'd truly appreciate it!)

Thanks to Mom & Dad Lutz for this one...like I said, I don't know if this makes me a nominee for Best Mom, Best Wife or Best Daughter-in-Law, I figure I should be good for one of them now! While they were a bit creepy to begin with, I think I won't mind watching them either ...as long as they stay contained!

Ant Farms are exciting...but...nothing tops this...

WILSON ASKED JESUS INTO HIS HEART LAST NIGHT!!!!

That's right! After Brad read Just In Case You Ever Wonder by Max Lucado last night (on the bedtime video) he mentioned the importance of knowing Jesus and Wilson turned to me and said, "Mom when are you going to help me ask Jesus into my heart?" We've talked about this often with Wilson, he is so inquisitive. On Easter, he told me that he was probably going to ask Jesus into his heart *the day after tomorrow*. Anyway, last night after some questions we prayed together. And then the angels started rejoicing!

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:10

flashback...

remember that shrimp boil we went to at the Clements' house before Brad left? well, here are some pics (remember I forgot the camera?)...

Of course, Wilson was eager to "Wii" while the shrimp was a'boilin'what's gonna work?
TEAMWORK! (think Wonder Pets)
Yum-a-licious! Fantabulous! Specfreakintacular!

(pardon my language, but it was some good stuff!)
and a few more pics that were on Barbie's camara card...
Wil is really into the b-ball right now, and thankfully Logan likes playing with him!
(I don't think he knows what "travelling" is yet)
is it any wonder the boys love going to their house?
deviled eggs on Easter
the Easter Party
We sure are blessed to have such wonderful friends...I know it makes it a little easier on Brad knowing that there are so many 'locals' I can call if I need something (yes, I know many of you out-of-towners have pledged to be here too if I need something; you've not been forgotten). We appreciate our friends dearly and thank God for bringing them into our lives during this time!

in honor of March is Reading Month...

again, more for Daddy than anyone else, but you are free to enjoy as well...

reading a word list on a practice page...

brad this is for you...

the boys love this part of their day!

the rest of you...

Please pray for Brad this weekend as he studies for the promotion board (you go to the board, they ask you Army questions, you earn points, you get promoted eventually). This has been a long time coming, and while, honestly, I never imagined the Army life, ever since he joined I have dreamed of the day that I could call my husband SARGE and this will put us one step closer!

No, I do not know when the board will be.

I do, however, know Who is in charge, and Who holds the time in His hands. Thankfully!

"He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9

ya learn somethin' new every day...

today's lesson...take the bacon out of the ziploc before microwaving it (in my defense, it was already cooked, and I just wanted to reheat it quickly).

Here is a *quick* video of Walker praying before dinner tonight...

Brad, let me know if that worked for you to watch...if so, I have a few more videos for you.

more sunshine and wind...

a perfect combination for flying kites with your friend!

Gavin and Wilson had it mastered in no time flat the boys had fun playing in the field across the street after lunch
then they played tag...
...and they all fell down!
And then I was blown away... Nicole and I planned to (have the kids) fly kites again after dinner, and when we called to meet, she said she had something for me...
A Bible in a bag! Its about the size of a checkbook (but much thicker)...with my name on it! I about started bawling right there on the patio. Her mother-in-law had just ordered her 3 bibles and as she was showing them to me she decided it was the perfect "thank you" for keeping an eye on her house while she was in Texas. (Living on post, means there's not much work involved, so I feel a bit guilty.) Tomorrow she's coming with me to bible study (her first time to any type of Bible study whatsoever).

Oh, and whoever prayed for me while I was working out this morning, it really did the trick. I had a much better, less embarrassing experience today...

and I only hit my knee once on the machine...

what do you think they mean...

when they say "if you feel dizzy, faint, shortness of breath, or chest pain; discontinue use and consult your doctor."?

That's all I could think about when I tried out the elliptical machine for the 2nd time. Of course, it didn't help that my TV wasn't working. I will tell you this, if I hadn't taken my kids to childcare and if there weren't other people in the room when I got there, I most certainly would've quit when I reached muscle failure at 3 minutes and 17 seconds (which was about 9 seconds less than the last time I *worked-out*.)

Round three tomorrow. We'll see how that goes... At least I know how to make it go forward instead of reverse now. I just keep reminding myself its for good mental health and a healthy heart...its for good mental health and a healthy heart...its for good mental health and a healthy heart...

Thankfully, the childcare center is right across the street from the gym and the boys are in the same room with one another...and they are starting to like it! I think eventually it will be a beneficial time for all of us.

let's go fly a kite...

Wilson got a kite for Easter, and was eager to try it out today. We live in the perfect state for kite-flying as it is ALWAYS windy here...or so it seems!I love how Walker is aimlessly running around!
Best $1.oo I ever spent!
helping big brother get that thing airborne again!

here's a little video, you can hear the wind. I think Wil did quite well for it being his first time!(well maybe he tried at the Beach, did he Mom?)

And I can't help but respond to a comment Destini left, about us still celebrating (Easter) rather than mourning our time apart. Thank you for the encouragement, a lot of that decision is based on a quote by Elisabeth Elliot that I adopted LONG before I knew Brad...and I remember sending that quote to him while he was in training. You see, Elisabeth and Jim Elliot had a long courtship that was recorded through their journals and letters to one another...

and during a "waiting time" one wrote to the other,

"Wherever you are, be ALL there."

And yes, that is how I choose to live. And by the power of the Holy Spirit in me, I am able to!

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait in hope."

Lamentations 3:22-24

holidays and deployment...

unfortunately, Brad wasn't able to call or get online today, so we didn't hear how his Easter celebration went. I remember the first Easter that we were apart getting a little teary at church--maybe even feeling a little sorry for myself. But then I was reminded of all the blessings that I do have thanks to the Resurrection of my Savior, and wondered why should I feel sorry for myself? Don't misread this, I'm not saying its easy, but perspective can work wonders on days like this! Thank you for your many prayers today, we truly had a wonderful day...
We have missed a Thanksgiving together (Fort Jackson, BCT), a Christmas (Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan) and now two Easters (Fort Sam Houston, AIT and HOA). But, we've never been apart for a birthday. And with this deployment, we may be apart for all of our birthdays. I have to be honest, I'm glad hers is the first one...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (not so) FLUFFY PUPPY!

Our big Muskoka on the Rocks turned 1 today! Here she is with her present. The first toy Wilson picked (before we even had her) was a hamburger. She just got another one at Christmas, but when Wilson saw this, he HAD to get it for her! (Don't you love the squints from the flash?)
***I forgot to tell you that when I was taking Mussy's picture, I said, "Stay,Skoka, stay..."

And Wilson says in his most sympathetic voice,

"Its ok, Skoka, she does this to us EVERY month!"***

Just a reminder of how she looked when she came to us..

Fort Sill Easter Egg Hunt

Thankfully, our friends, Kim & Keith, took Wilson with them to the Fort Sill Easter Egg Hunt. The weather was beautiful and everything (except food I think) was free. SO there was a big crowd!

Meanwhile, Walker was at the bounce house. (We walked down to the egg hunt with another lady (whose husband is with Brad) and thier boy, Nathan, who is just a week older than Walker.)


Lucky me! Walker won a cupcake at the Cupcake Walk, thankfully a friend had baby wipes!
Here are Walker's finds...they are all chocolate malted eggs (I think)
And here are Wilson's...you can see the 3-5 year olds' eggs were a little on the trampled side.
Wilson and the gang sporting their firemen hats...Do I see a future Cowboy Fireman??? Very serious. After all the festivities at the Egg Hunt, Walker took a 10 minute nap and then we went over to my friend, Jen's in-laws house for dinner! It was a fun and busy day...the boys (and I) slept well last night!

And here is a (sort of) family picture from today.
We had lunch with Curry, Barbie and Logan...t-bones...Yummy!

have a blessed Easter!

for Brad

they like their Daddy Dolls...even though Wilson prefers to call his a 'pillow.' They are perfect! They both get them after bath and bring them to the couch for "dada" storytime.
And, I found Wilson snuggled in with your t-shirt at naptime. I just lay it on your pillow, I don't want to mess up the scent, but Wilson just snuggled right up with it today. (You see I woke up Skoka when I took the picture).

Good Friday, Good Party

We got our party on at the Clements' house today...woo hoo! Barbie and Curry opened up their home...well technically their driveway... for a fantabulous Easter Party...the kids had a blast! They colored eggs, they hunted eggs, (my camera died), they had cupcakes, and finally they heard the story of Jesus via the Resurrection Eggs! Here are a few pics...

Our expert coloring team (Nicole and Gavin came too!) Walker couldn't get the eggs in the dye fast enough...and didn't quite understand the concept of 'done.' Many of his eggs were colored mulitple times.
He liked this part...so cute!
He liked this part even better!
Here are the rules for Wilson's age group (Walker hunted with the little ones)... and my camera died after this...you'll just have to imagine Wilson hunting for eggs. We are going to another Easter Egg Hunt tomorrow here on post, and I have fresh batteries in the camera...no fear!

What a great time!

watch out mt. everest...

...walker's in training.

I thought he was brushing his teeth (we hadn't had breakfast yet, but he LOVES to brush his teeth), and wasn't sure why he kept calling me...until I found him in the sink...

look at those devilish little eyes! and yes, in the short time since Daddy has been gone, he's learned how to get into his high chair. Three simple steps...

one
two
three!
It used to be that he would come in the kitchen as soon as I started cooking, but now he climbs into his high chair (of course when I took these pics, all that I was 'cooking' was yogurt). I am a little nervous about him climbing out...if dinner takes too long...

What do you think he'll climb next?

look what I got & someone's jealous...

aren't they beautiful?? and isn't my husband thoughtful???

all together now..."awwwwwwwwwww!"Muskoka is having the hardest time adjusting to the departure of "the man" (as I often refer to Brad when speaking to Muskoka, I don't call him her daddy and Mr. Brad seems too formal.) I thought she was over this toilet paper tantrum earlier today, but I think she got jealous when she found out who the flowers were from and who they were for!