Skype Dates

Just a quick note to say how thankful (AGAIN) that I am for Skype. When Drew deployed we didn't know if it would be weeks or even months between phone calls or internet. His boss prepared us for the worst...but luckily our hope for the best has held true so far. I guess the best would be internet in his room but we are so thankful he has a room with internet that he gets to everyday. How quickly I forget the previous preparation to not talk for weeks. Now I look forward to it everyday. It's one of those things where you adapt quickly to what you know and what you have. If you told me before he deployed I would be so happy with merely talking to my husband versus spending my evenings right next to him I'd call you crazy. But we take what we have, make the most of it, and downright enjoy it. I hesitate to rely on talking to him daily since sometimes things come up, internet goes down, he has to travel, etc. but we absolutely take full advantage of our connection. That's what it boils down to: the ability to connect. Love it. Here's a Skype date pic from today. Love and miss my big man.

8 Months Old Today

Our little guy continues to bring more joy to our lives than we could ever anticipate. When he was younger, everyday was special as we watched him grow, smile, and engage in his surroundings. Now, everyday brings a new layer to his cute personality. He is loving, kind, funny, sweet... hopefully the perfect recipe for a respectable, strong, gentle-hearted young man one day. Just like his Daddy. :) Love our little bean and truly don't know what we did without him.

March Madness

Our lives seem to be keeping pace with the basketball games going on right now! It's hard to believe we have had our house for over a month now. Well, that isn't exactly true. When you look at all we have done so far (huge thanks to our amazing family) it seems like we have been here for months. Drew deployed on a Friday so we are always thrilled to reach the next Friday when we are one week closer to being together again. I haven't quite decided what is better yet. Deploy for a year with two weeks R&R in the middle or 9 months straight. Yes, it's three months shorter but boy it seems long when you have to plow straight through. Missing each other... especially when Cole reaches new milestones. That really makes us wish he was here but I have that video going all the time. On Wednesday, March 14th I walked into school to pick Cole up and he was crawling across the play mat! It is more of an Army crawl on his elbows with a flutter kick type thing out the back but it is working for him. He can scoot across the room so quickly. He is everywhere! He can't get to all of his toys in the room fast enough. I love it. He is such a little ham. Needless to say the baby gates are up and the wires to the tv are now hidden. His crawling is getting faster but now he is trying to pull himself up on everything. He loves when he stands and leans against his little play table. Such a big boy. So neat to see him grow and learn. Once again, thank GOD for technology which allows Drew to be included from so far away.
I have a few back pics I haven't posted yet. Wade and Sar came in town the weekend of March 2nd. Saturday, 3/3 was Cole's first time at the shooting range. He probably had no clue he was at a shooting range considering he played inside with his toys the whole time but we'll still say it is a 'first'.

Cole hanging at the fire with Aunt Sarah. :)

Love these pics of Cole and Natalie.


I'd hate to start rumors but Cole does have his little hand on her leg. ;)

Here he is peeking around the door to see his reflection. Love our little guy.

Cole and Grandpa. :) The light really shows off Cole's hair that stands straight up.

He is also a wallower as we call it. He wallows around playing, rolling over, petting the dogs, eating his toys... in this case he is playing with the dogs and watching the SLU/Michigan State basketball game. He constantly makes us laugh.

Welcome to Spring!

Work and School Pics

Drew has been taking pictures but I won't be able to see those until he gets home. I also will be unable to post those on here...but I can post these pictures from his boss. Here's a picture of the guys flying into Afghanistan last month.

Beautiful country side from an aerial view. It's too bad this is a war torn country because it truly is gorgeous.

Love this picture of our flags flying high in Afghanistan. Proud of all of our guys getting the job done!

A couple of weeks ago Cole had his school pictures. I was told the pictures were more so for the first alert in case of a missing child but I didn't realize they were pictures we could purchase. I would have at least put real shoes on him! Still think our little man is the cutest! Here are pics of the pics.

His hair adds two inches!