Two Winks

Hannah seems to end up with no clothes often these days. Last weekend she found these socks that Holly sent me and today she found Chris' cover in the closet. She is a mess!

My cousin, Katie, took our pictures over Christmas and I had to share the canvas that I ordered. I can't wait for Chris to see it. For anyone who lives in the Columbus area here is her blog address; www.katiemcraryphotography.blogspot.com. She did an AWESOME job.

Thank you Katie!

My friends in Texas are the best. They got me through my first deployment and a million TDY's. I have been really missing them these past couple of weeks and especially yesterday. So today, I was looking out the window and saw the UPS truck and thought a package would be fun. I knew nothing was coming so I didn't think he was going to stop. He stopped a few houses down and then inched to my house and stopped again. I LOVE getting packages and especially when they are for me. It was so much fun to open all the fun gifts from my best friends.

Thank you, Holly, Mandi, Courtney, Robyn and Mallory for making my day. Also, thank you to the rest of you who sent words of encouragement yesterday. Each one of you are very special to me and even so many miles away can make me smile (and cry). Thank you Thank you Thank you. You are all truly the best!

I finally got pictures of Christmas from my sister so here are some more I wanted to share.

These are our good friends the Bullards. Their mom was our babysitter and our moms are best friends. I can remember when Caroline and Elizabeth were Hannah and Isabella's age. Wow how time flies.





Isn't Isabella just beautiful?






This is my dad, his mom, Isabella and Lindsay

Please pray for us this weekend as we savor all the family time we can get. Chris leaves on Tuesday. It is going to be a hard day but we know that God will get us through and July will be here before we know it. Lots of people have various feelings about the military and deployments. I struggle with sending my husband off while I single parent and Hannah is daddyless for 6 months but it hit me this week that God has made Chris very good at what he does and this is His plan for Chris' life so God will get us through and will protect Hannah in the coming months while Daddy is gone.
Thank you for all the words of encouragement and prayers. I could not do it without all of you praying us through.

These are the lyrics from "Somebody's Praying me Through" I am pretty sure Danny Barefield had the PDBC choir sing this at some point while Chris has been gone so I am the chick on the front row bawling her eyes out but it is one of my favorite songs.

Pressing over me like a big blue sky
I know someone has me on their heart tonight
That's why I know it's gonna be alright
'Cause somebody's praying me through
Somebody's praying me through
It may be my Mother, it might be my Dad
Or an old friend I've forgot I had
But whoever it is I'm so glad that
Somebody's praying me through
Somebody's praying me through
Through the tears, through the rain
Through the sorrow, through the pain
It keeps bringing me through
Over and over again
So when you're drowning in a sea of hurt
And it feels like life couldn't get any worse
There's a blessing waiting to push back the curse
'Cause somebody's praying you through
Somebody's praying you through
Someone got down on their knees and prayed for me
Somebody's, somebody's praying you through

We really enjoyed being in Mississippi for a week and a half. Isabella is the cutest thing ever and I enjoyed all of our snuggle time. Hannah could not get enough of all the family time and is still asking where everyone went. Guess you all need to make a visit out soon.

After a full day traveling, a marathon run through the Memphis airport, (thank goodness it wasn't dallas or atlanta) and no luggage we finally got home for my birthday celebration. My mom always gets the greatest cakes thanks to our good friend Mrs. Joy. (Our luggage did arrive later that night).


On Christmas Eve we celebrated with Chris' family. Hannah was great at handing out presents and she loved the tunnel from Uncle Rob and Aunt Stacie.







Christmas Day was spent at my parents. Hannah loves her car from Uncle Hal and Aunt CC. We can't wait for her to be able to ride it outside but it might be awhile. The ironing board and iron was also a big hit.









We really had a great time and everyone spoiled Hannah to death. We were glad to get home on New Year's Eve but was not expecting to have no heat. It was about 10 degrees outside. Thankfully, the maintenance man came out quickly and we had heat back on in several hours. Of course it was morning before the house was above 65 degrees.

I can not believe we are to a new year. Last year was full of Weapons School, saying good-bye to our best friends and moving to a new town. We have been blessed to be reunited with old friends and making new friends. We look forward to what this year is going to bring. I have always said that as a military wife I cling to the verse: "I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you". I know that God is going to do great things this year. Will just have to wait and see what he has in store.