My Tenderhearted

There's been several times this past year where both boys will randomly bring up Carrie and have a question or two. We've always welcomed their questions and been totally honest with them. I know Cole understands, but there have been several times I wonder if I've only confused Brad more. A small part of me worried that Brad would never remember, but God has proven me wrong.

If anything, Brad remembers her ALL the time. When we drive past the local cemetery, he will tell everyone in the car that his sister is there (she isn't). When we say prayers at night and mention who we are thankful for, he always says "don't forget Carrie in Heaven". As he was walking outside the other day he said "I love you mom, I love you Mickey, I love you Merlin, I love you baby Carrie".

Sometimes I don't know what to do with all his sweet moments.

Today I was working up at the school helping his teacher. They were sitting in circle time and each person had to tell the class what they are thankful for. Lots of kids were thankful for their moms, thankful for school, thankful for their toys. I just happened to walk in when it was Brad's turn. He announced to the class he is thankful for his baby sister Carrie who died.

He's my tenderheart. And he's right. I'm thankful for her too - despite all the pain and heartache, we got to be her family. Thank you God.

Angler

My little Colby has become quite the fisherman. In fact, almost a little obsessed about it. He asks DAILY - several times a day - if he can go fishing. He carries around a tackle box with him and thinks I should always have his poles in the back of the van. Cole's new favorite show is River Monsters and knows all the different kinds of fish to catch around here.

Yesterday he told me that he only wants to play in the JUNIOR World Cup so he can be a professional fisherman too. I kissed his head and said he can be anything he wants to be. Later Cole told me he really wants to do both because if he's a fisherman he can take Brad with him.

Melt.My.Heart.

Family Photo Session

I bought a coupon online last month for a family photo session. We arranged to meet the other night at the park for a quick shoot. The photographer was a cute, quite little girl. She held three jobs and seemed pretty modest. Enter, my boys.



We are in the park and they are running around like monkeys. They are climbing trees and she's really having to chase them to get photos. Brad found a big stick (also known as a tree branch) and was whacking everything in sight. Including a few near misses to her head.

Then she did the worse thing you can do around my children: She let her fear be known. Aunt Kimi will tell you all about that horrible mistake. Sweet photographer said "I hate snakes. If I see a snake, I'll be running the other way FAST!" NO WOMAN!!! You just fed my boys dynamite! As we are all gathered for a family shot, Cole screams out "SNAKE!" and points to her feet to scare her. Lovely.

Continuing our walk around the park she spots a nice rock ledge for the boys to sit for some more pictures. We prop them up there and Cole looks down. I guess someone wrote something on the rock. Then I hear.....

"F. U. C. K. ......... F*ck? F*ck? Am I saying that right? I'm reading it right here. It says f*ck. What's f*ck?"

Then Brad starts piping in - jumping up and down on the rock ledge repeating his newly learned word. We're wonderful parents. Damn Teachers is what I say. Teaching him to READ!

Soon sweet Jessica decided she had enough pictures and told us she will get back with us in a couple of weeks. I'm wondering if we'll ever see her again. Who knows?? Just in case I had Keith take a few more while we were all dressed up. I love those little monsters with all my heart. They keep me laughing. They keep me crazy. They keep my heart full.

















Family pictures 2011 complete!

Fire! Fire!

Yesterday Cole had the firemen come to his class to talk about Fire Safety. They had a "smoke house" trailer they were able to go in to see how smokey a room can quickly become. His homework was to go home and talk to us and make a family plan if there was a fire.

Love it. So we did. Our plan is to GET OUT! I told them anyway, break a window, any door, and we all meet at The Newcomb's house. They are our family meeting spot.

See quick and painless. Homework complete. Good Talk. Until the questions began.....

Brad - But what about our pets?
Me - Good question, you're only job is to GET OUT. If you leave the door open I promise they will all follow you.

Cole - How do I get out with the screens on?
Me - Another good question. If you open the window and kick them, it will come off and then you GET OUT!

Brad - But what about my colors?
Me - Leave the colors, your only job is to GET OUT.

Brad - Will the firemen go back in and get my colors?
Me - The firemen will show up to put the fire out, just make sure you GET OUT! I can buy new colors. I can't buy a new you. So GET OUT!

Cole - You will buy new colors? I really need some new colors.........


In Brad's typical fashion, he came home and drew an artistic representation of what was going on in his little head.... He called it "Get Low and Go!" Notice we are going to the MTPL. He said that means MEETING PLACE. Spelled it all by himself. I love that knucklehead. And if anyone needs a birthday gift idea for Cole, please send new crayons before we have to head to the MTPL. Pyro ;-)

And so it begins....

Out of the blue, Cole decided to make a sign for his door. I don't like it.

The following day Brad decided to make signs for his door.


It's funny to see their differences sometimes. We also have been doing stuff to their rooms. Brad really wanted a yellow lego room with a cork board. I painted him a cork board, and this is what he did to it. O well, I like his creativity.

We ordered FATHEADS for Cole's soccer room. He wants to be a professional soccer player and move overseas. Humph.



Messi is the best player in the world right now. Cole still likes Christian Ronaldo better because he has dark skin. HA!

Brad is asking me to make a Christmas Tree for his baby owls. Right on brother. I have no idea what he's talking about and it makes me smile.

Weekend of Fun

Keith is leaving this weekend for a cross country. He's suppose to take one every quarter. He's been on one, to Dallas, in the 15 months we've been here. I guess he's due for one more before he gets out.

You read that right - Keith's palace chase paperwork has been approved. He is set to get out by December 1st. Now we are just waiting on a FedEx start date. Yea! Gulp....

So, this weekend it's just me and the boys. They don't know it, but I'm vowing to myself it will be a "yes" weekend. I will have to strike the word no from my vocabulary. Sometimes I feel like all I ever do is say no - but not this weekend. If they bring up camping I will have to find creative ways to get out of that one!!!

AND, I'm off to buy Keith's Anniversary gift. It's kinda for me, but I can't stop thinking about it! 10 years is poultry right?

My Me Space

I am surrounded by great friends and family. You fill my heart over and over again with your thoughtfulness, and love. I hope everybody has someone they can call all day everyday, someone who knows you better than yourself, someone willing to make sympathy cards for your daughter with you, someone to take you out for a laugh, and call you out when you are wrong. I do. I have a solid core of friends that I only pray that I'm equally as good a friend to them. I love you all.

Melissa got me a birthday gift this year. She is always so considerate when it comes to gift giving and has ALWAYS been able to write the perfect stream of words out to express herself.

She knows that tulips are my favorite flowers. Melissa also knows that my house in Idaho had a saying written on my wall.

"Bloom Where You Are Planted"

I stuck by that motto with every Air Force move. God put us there for a reason. He needed us planted and to grow at each location. Many times those locations were NOT our first or even second choice, but we have loved each place we've been assigned. Bloom where you are planted reminded me to spread the fruits of the spirit, to get involved, and to take advantage of each city because our time there was short.

I promise this all ties together!

So she gave me this gift of a beautiful canvas painting:


On the back is a note that reads:

Jennifer, "Bloom where you are planted" - one of your favorite quotes. Tulips - your favorite flower.

I chose this gift for you to bring you a sense of renewed strength each time you see it. I pray that you will once again be able to view springtime with a full and peaceful heart.

Your sweet Carrie will be with you forever in your heart and soul... and in Heaven, you will one day hold her hand.

I love you, my dear friend ~ Sister of my heart, Melissa K

So I've created a Me Place in my bathroom. To see and read every morning. It is a reminder to continue growing, to not just survive, but to thrive. I cherish it. And I love my dear friend.