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Fort Lewis, WA

You know how we keep requesting Army bases in the Southeast? Well, we just found out that we are being stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington THIS summer. Whaaaaaaaaat?! When Will told me, we couldn't help but burst out laughing. I mean, how silly is it? You try to go to North Carolina, Georgia, and maybe even Kentucky and instead you get sent to Washington STATE!! The Army never ceases to amaze me.

We don't have a firm report date yet. We have only been told that it's "this summer." We also don't know what battalion Will will be assigned to yet. We are hoping it's with one of the Special Operations battalions or even one of the Stryker ones, but we probably won't find out more details until March. If he doesn't get one of those, we'll be super disappointed.

Here is how we're viewing this new assignment: GOD'S WILL IS GREAT. We never wanted to come to Fort Hood but the past eight years have been amazing and we have been truly blessed by being here. Fort Lewis wasn't on our list either, but we are trusting that our experience up there will also be amazing.

Here are the pro's:
1. Our family will get to see parts of the country we NEVER expected to see.
2. We will experience daily life in a beautiful part of the country.
3. Will will have another great opportunity to minister to soldiers.
4. We will be within driving distance of one of the Mars Hill Church's campuses. It's been a desire of ours to one day visit Mars Hill, so to be a part of a congregation on a regular basis is SO awesome.
5. WE WILL BE TOGETHER!!!! The Army can send us anywhere...as long as we're together, we're happy.

Big Church

We took Carlee Scott to "big church" today for the first time! At our church, children typically stay in the childcare Sunday School classes until they are 4. CS would normally start coming to big church this Fall (it's based on what school grade you are in), but we decided on a whim today to get her after SS and take her in for the service. She did GREAT!! I was so proud of her!! There's something really precious about worshiping with your children. I loved it.

She drew this adorable ladybug during the service!

Fun Birthday Party

What We Do On A Cold Day

The Best Toy - A Box

Plus some pics of Carlee Scott! :)

Dinner Conversation

Every night at dinner, we go around the table and ask what each person's favorite part of the day was. This is how it typically goes.

Me: Carlee Scott, what was your favorite part of today?
CS: Ummmm, being good at school.
Me: Great! I like to hear that. Good job! Daddy, what was your favorite part?
Will: Playing catch with both kids. What was your favorite part of today, Mommy?
Me: My favorite part was picking Carlee Scott up from school and seeing her so excited. Owen, what about you? What was your favorite part of today?
Owen: HORSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Owen says horses every night for absolutely no reason and it is SO funny. He screams it and throws his hands in the air. We used to try and figure out why he says horses, but it is of no use. He doesn't know why he says it either! Now we just respond by saying, "Horses!! Wow! Great answer! Horses are cool."

Welcome Home, Will

Our closest friends got together and threw Will a "welcome home" party tonight! It's a bit late because of Block Leave and the holidays, but better late than never! We had a very low-key but fun evening with everyone! It would have been perfect if the Berry's had been there. Miss you, Laura and Josh.

Cute sign.

Boys playing Wii.

Yeah, Matt!

My sweet love and me.

Boys getting competitive with horseshoes.

Angi, me, Julie, Wendy, and Stacie!

Thursday

How has your Thursday been? Ours has been GREAT!! After taking Carlee Scott to school and Owen to Mother's Day Out, I cleaned the house. It was a nice break to do my own thing while they were in school. The weather here is GORGEOUS! I had the windows open all day! Will was able to come home from work around 3:00 - YEAH! Then we just played and hung out. I could get used to this!

Owen wearing Mr. Potato Head's glasses and hat.

Daddy and Owen reading a CARS book.

Cheeese!

Carlee Scott trying to play the LeapSter.

It's tough!

Daddy playing Wii with Owen.

Barbies!

Carlee Scott trying her luck at the Wii.

Too much fun!

Our Newest Niece!

Kendall Ann McPherson
2:36 am
6lbs 7oz 19in

Back To Work

Well, it's that time...Will has to go back to work tomorrow. BOOOO!!!! We have had the most wonderful Block Leave. I can't even describe how amazing it was. From traveling across country and back to just hanging out at home, it has been nonstop fun and excitement. Routine is always good, so the end of leave is bittersweet. Will needs to get back to ministering to his soldiers and I need to get back to my normal routine. Maybe I will have more time to take pictures and update the blog!!

Funny Videos from Tonight

Carlee Scott

I am so proud of my sweet Carlee Scott. When I picked her up from school today, I asked her teacher how she did. Her teacher replied, "She had a GREAT day! Ya know, she has done so very well recently. I am so proud of her. She is one of my favorites." AHHHHH! My heart nearly burst with happiness. Considering CS was so bad at her last school and was kicked out of one preschool class, receiving this type of feedback had me over-the-moon excited!!

Sweet Sweet Owen

Oh my sweet sweet, Owen. How can you be 2 already?? You plopped into our lives as a 9lbs 4oz beast of a baby and have enchanted us ever since! I've said it before and I will say it again - you are IN LOVE with life. You smile nearly constantly. You don't know a stranger. You are ridiculously funny. You want to hug and kiss all day long. You are an encourager, a lover, and ALL boy. You love trains, trucks, and cars. You want to wrestle, jump, and kick. And we love it all. Happy birthday, sweet Dozie. Mommy and Daddy love you!

3:56 am 1/7/08

1 year old2 years old
(well, almost...this was a couple of weeks shy)

So Very Proud

Look who can write her name on her own:) Disregard the t that's supposed to be an l, though.

Jack

We've been doing some serious integration training with Jack and the kids over the past few days. Overall, Jack's done surprisingly well. His reward tonight was being allowed up on the couch for the first time (on a blanket of course!). He's crazy, but such a sweet boy.

New Years Day

We are back home in Texas and all settled! We arrived last night around 7:30 and have since been unpacking, taking down Christmas decorations, doing laundry, organizing, grocery shopping, and all the other fun stuff that accompanies a return home from vacation. We had a GREAT trip, but all four of us are glad to be home.

On the way back to TX, we stayed overnight in TN, where Laura and her family were visiting her parents. We got to meet baby ELI!!!!!! He is SO cute.