Out of Order

Every deployment's drama seems to have a theme to it. Korea was the plumbing. Apparently this one is electronics. My laptop got a horrible virus that completely crashed it the day after Den left. Luke, my favorite computer genius, was able to finally clear it all out and get it up and running again. A few weeks later the charging port broke off the motherboard, effectively making my laptop a very expensive paper weight. Unless I am willing to send my computer and $250 to HP (which I am decidedly not) it will remain that way. So, I think, "Wellllll, it's not that big of a deal. The desk top is a little slow, but it will suffice for now....." 2 weeks later, something corrupted the operating system, rendering it completely useless. When it rains it pours. I took it to Luke on Monday and he is trying to save it for me. God bless a man who works for homemade cookies. Until further notice, I am offline. I saw a mousepad once that said, "A clean house is a sign of a broken computer." My house is spotless.

Surprise!!!

We had the opportunity to spend Fourth of July weekend with our great friends the McClintocks. I will post more pics later, but I thought I would share this little video. (I apologize in advance to those who suffer from motion sickness or have no desire to see video of my fingers.) We all agreed to keep our visit a secret from Lexi. Here she is getting her surprise!

Such a Blessing

Most of you have heard me sing the praises of Paige's 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Hancock. Being a military wife, she was exactly what Paige needed while Den was deployed. Her daughter, Caroline also ended up becoming one of Summer's besties.

What I haven't talked about is the rest of Paige's class. Maybe I'm a little biased, but I think they were probably the best 4th grade class in the school. Almost the entire class made the honor roll every quarter. They all got along, they were supportive and encouraging of each other, and were all a pleasure to be around.

At the end of the year, Mrs. Hancock sent out the nicest poem with a picture of the class and I just felt like I needed to share it...

I've worked with your flower,
And helped it to grow.
I'm returning it now,
But I want you to know...
This flower is precious
As dear as can be.
Love it...take care of it
And you will see
A bright new bloom
with everyday...
It grows in such a special way.
In September...a bud, Midterm...half-bloom;
Now...a lovely blossom
Comes home to you in June.
Remember this flower
As dear as can be,
Though rightfully yours...
Part...belongs to me!

I Have Not, Actually Fallen Off The Face Of The Earth

I am a bad, bad blogger. Other than quick posts about my birthday and Paige's, I haven't blogged in over a month. I've been exploring Tampa with the girls and trying to finish up my two classes. For those of you who care about that sort of thing, I did finish, but with less than satisfactory B's in both. Unfortunately there are more distractions to my studies than I would like. That being said, I am thoroughly planning on enjoying my week off before the next one starts.

I wish I had more to say about Den, other than he is doing well. He works long hours in a building that I can not go in, doing a job that he can not tell me anything about, and works with people who I will most likely never meet. What can I say, it is what it is.

The girls are I are thoroughly enjoying our extended vacation. We have been all over Tampa and then some. The girls and I spend a lot of time at the apartment complex we are staying in's pool. We go it on our own during the week and the weekends have been passing by in a blur of family fun, which, since it is raining buckets today, I may actually got up here on the blog.

Our next adventure is taking us to Eglin AFB to see the McClintocks for the Fourth of July. I am especially looking forward to it. They are great friends and the girls, especially Paige, are beside themselves with excitement about seeing Lexi before they head back west to Colorado.

That's all for now. I am going to go and feed the girlies and try and come up with something we can do in the rain!

A Decade of Decadence

Hey Paigie, it's your birthday. Hey Paigie, it's your birthday. Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday to You. Happy Birthday dear Paigie. Happy Birthday to Youuuuuuu!

Happy Birthday To Me!!!!!

I had an awesome 32nd birthday yesterday! The girls and I started off the day with a Memorial Day service at Poquoson City Hall and they got to help lead the pledge of allegiance. Then we had lunch at the Taco Chicken Hut with some great friends from church, the Bardens and the Freemans. After making a quick run to Bed Bath and Beyond and Target for beach towels and pool toys, you guessed it, we spent the rest of the afternoon at the pool. Best of all, though, was a DEE-LISH-US birthday dinner over in the 'hood. (Our entire group of friends (except us) that we hang out with on a regular basis all live in the same neighborhood) It was such a great, low key day, and exactly what I needed!

Some of you may know of the problems that had been plaguing me with my Patriot. Mechanically, it was sound enough, but other than that it was just really poorly made. The last straw was when the door moldings started falling off. Absolutely ridiculous. SO, for my birthday, Den bought me this!!! 2010 Ford Fusion. It is fully loaded with everything Ford offers except parallel park assist, and it is getting 30 mpg city and over 40 on the highway! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this car!

I was hoping to have pictures from yesterday to show you, but my camera is on the fritz. Apparently this deployment's issue is going to be electronics. First my computer, now my camera, which has been out of warranty for all of 2 months. Grrr.

Today I Remember My Friend

Normally, on Memorial Day I would post a moving video and pay tribute to the fallen soldiers whose faces I will never know. Not this year. This year I am honoring my friend, Lt Col. Mike Phillips. I met Mike and his truly amazing wife, Deanna, (I am not kidding, the woman is a force of nature) in Tucson while Den was going through the B-course, and they came to be two of the most peaceful and inspiring influences on my life. I would not have made it throught that first long separation without them. God called Mike home just a few short months ago. I know that he is missed and well remembered today.