Welcome Home Deployment Ceremony

 Everyone gathered at Sills Field on Schofied Barracks to celebrate the return of our soldiers! Seeing ALL of the extended family members of the soldiers who were deployed made me realize just how many families went without their mothers or fathers this past year. To see them ALL together brought joy to my heart! Seeing MY family together was indescribable.

Ammon fell asleep before we left for the Welcome Home Deployment Ceremony so, I was not able to change him into a more patriotic attire. The Welcome Home Deployment Ceremony took place after Dallas had been home for about three weeks, it was just one of the many events we attended together as a family to celebrate his return.

Dallas and Sadie were chosen by a CBS News Reporter to express their feelings about the deployment. Unfortunately, we were unable to watch the interview because I cancelled our cable...it was just too expensive. Dallas, of course, answered each and every question very eloquently and Sadie did a wonderful job as well! I think we "stood out" from the rest of the crowd because our girls were wearing some very cute patriotic dresses! 

Our Sweetheart Enjoys Her 5th Birthday

 We celebrated Sariah's 5th Birthday on September 5th (Labor Day Weekend). Sariah had a blast on her SPECIAL Day! We invited some of her friends over for cupcakes and rootbeer floats (the rootbeer floats were provided by our Dear Military Relations Missionary Couple the Websters). She was very happy with the gift Dallas and I purchased for her, a new bike! She rode her bike around the culdesac and up and down the street with her sisters that evening.

That is Dallas' sweet new jeep in the background in case you were wondering.

 Sariah's Birthday Dinner request...Pork Chops with Cream of Mushroom Gravy, Rice and Vegetables. She gobbled up every bit of it and I am grateful! She wanted EVERYONE to wear a Birthday Hat and was SO excited to blow out her birthday candles!

 Because I am such an AWESOME Mother I made cupcakes for her to share with her class the following day at school. Sariah was very pleased with me! I am SO GLAD Sariah is part of our ETERNAL family, she brings so much excitement and is such a JOY! These past five years have been GREAT... I have been able to witness Sariah grow! She is a wonderful Ballet Dancer and is EXTEMEMELY RAMBUNCTIOUS, but that is what I love about her ...her abiltity to drive me crazy! We Love You Sweetheart!

Captain Awesome!!!

Well it is official...Dallas is now Captain Awesome!! I am so proud of his accomplishment! The children and I attented the ceremony, I was able to tear off Dallas' old rank as a 1LT and replace it with that of a CPT, which was then followed by a punch to the chest (Dallas' chest not mine)!

I think Dallas looks even HOTTER with his new rank! He is no longer a Plattoon Leader, but is now an XO (not really sure what that stands for, but he keeps track of the inventory for the troop). I love how Ammon is looking up to his Dad with his tongue sticking out.

Not only did I (attempt to) punch Dallas in the chest, but the children were also invited to do the same and they had a good laugh!

I Am Back

I hate to restart with this, it is probably the main reason I have not blogged for so long, but what happened has forever changed my views on being able to bear a child. The month of May was hard. I was pregnant with our fifth child, twelve weeks along to be exact, and then I miscarried. I was devestated. We had hoped for another child and were excited, but things turned out differently. I don't know if the heart ever started beating and often wonder. I had a D & C performed followed by a Spinal Blood Patch, but I will not go into that. Despite the heartache that was felt at the time and that is still felt this very moment I learned and have a greater appreciation for the Plan of Salvation and know even more so that Familes Can Be Together Forever.
But on a happy note, I have enjoyed reading everyones blog and I hope to be a better blogger because I have missed documenting so many important family events  these past six months.

Thanks Dallas, LaLa and Colby for giving me the extra boost I needed to restart!