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!

Students of the Month

Since I last blogged, well even before that to be exact, Sophie and Sadie have been chosen for Student of the month. Sophie was chosen for the month of Januray and Sadie for the month of May. Fortunately, my parents were here for Sophie's Student of the Month Assembly and I was able to capture it with these pictures.

Both girls have worked considerably hard and I am so proud of them! It is not easy being an "army brat"... that is for sure! They have been in three schools in the past two years, moved across the Country/Pacific Ocean, have had to make new friends, and work themselves back up to grade level while their Father is deployed! It has been TOUGH and I am so proud of them! They AMAZE me each and everyday!

To be Student of the Month the student must be: a self-directed learner, a community contributor, a complex thinker, a quality producer, and effective communicator and an effective and ethical user of technology. The student must also show mutual respect, be an attentive listener, share appreciations and appropiately practice the right to pass and the right to participate.

Way to go Sophie and Sadie!!

Christmas in February!

My "Ultimate Christmas Wish" was...Dallas. This month Dallas was able to come home for 16 WONDERFUL DAYS! It has been 7 whole months since we said goodbye. It's been hard, but WE all have grown, it seriously has been a spiritual journey. For those of you who have gone through a deployment you have an understanding of how heartwrenching this journey can be and for those who have witnessed loved ones in this same situation, you to have an understanding. Despite the heartache...I am grateful for the opportunity! Our family has recieved NUMEROUS BLESSINGS and I am humbled. I know the Lord is with us! 
While Dallas was home we were able to attend the newly rededicated Laie Temple. The experience was HEAVENLY. I loved every moment. The rest of our days were spent like any other "normal" day would be spent...and that in itself is a REAL TREAT! We loved hearing the children giggle, make jokes and scream with laughter! It was Heaven on Earth. We were a FAMILY and that was the most important thing.
We are counting the days for his return! We cannot wait! Because you see, Dallas makes EVERYTHING WONDERFUL!! EVERYTHING.  

Wating for baggage at the the airport! The children and I literally ran into his arms,
 NOTHING was going to stand in our way!!

Dallas playing with Sariah & Ammon outside on the swing set.

Waikiki Beach. It was a cloudy day and the children and I had a cold,
but we ventured out to enjoy the beach with Dad!

Saying our goodbyes. Uncle Rocky was kind to take our family picture before he took Dallas to the airport. Cute family.

Our Eleventh Wedding Anniversary

 On this day, Janurary 15th, eleven years ago we entered the Mesa, AZ Temple to be Sealed for Time and All Eternity. It's been wonderful! I love my Dallas more than ever, he is a wonderful Father to our four children; Sadie, Sophie, Sariah and Ammon. I am continually blessed to share my life with such a wonderful partner and best friend. I look forward to another amazing year!

Don't you love our "old school" wedding pictures?  Dallas is such a stud!
I'm just so happy I was able to scan them to the computer! 

                                                     Love, I love you with all my heart! B

Christmas in Hawaii: Year 1

This post is a couple of weeks late, but here it is! LOL! My family was able to fly out to Hawaii and be with us this Christmas! It was an ENJOYABLE 2 1/2 week visit! Although Dallas was not here in person due to his deployment in Iraq, he was very much here in spirit! We enjoyed chatting with him via Skype Christmas morning and many other mornings last month...SKYPE OH HOW I LOVE THEE! 

I don't think I realized how much I trully missed my family until the day they departed back to the mainland. My brother Brian and his family were not scheduled to fly back until the following day and so we spent the remainder of our time taking them around to local shops. I did not want to go home. I love being home, but the thought of entering an EMPTY home, no longer filled with my extended family, saddened me.
My sister (AKA LALA) and I were the tour guides for our family. We scheduled everything. It was fun. We spent 2 1/2 weeks:
     * visiting Turtle Beach-dad kept his shoes on and they never dried!
     * attending Church- we took up an entire row!
     * Black Pearl from Pirates of the Carribean- I think this was the highlight for Spencer! JK
     * Giovanni's Shrimp- heard it was DELICIOUS! HATE SEAFOOD! Ask Dallas, Chelsea & Rocky
     * Laie Temple! Amazing
     * Polynesian Cultural Center-PCC -It rained on us the entire time, but it was amazing!
     * Pearl Harbor-USS Missouri
     * Being eaten alive by mosquito's at the park!
     * Swap Meet at Aloha Stadium- my mother's fav place to shop!
     * Driving around the Island- seeing the faces of family members admiring the AWESOMENESS!
     * Kaneohe Beach- Parents did not get into the water, but played with grandkids on the beach.
     * Surfin Taco's- A new family fav!
     * Ko Olina Beach- Perfect day at the Beach
     * Matsumoto Shave Ice- Need I say more...DELICIOUS!
     * China Town in Honolulu
     * Waikiki Beach New Years Eve

Turtle Beach with Grandparents

Ko Olina Beach

Laie, HI Temple

Overall we visited many places, but the most enjoyable moments were spent visiting and EATING! I love that I now know my niece EMMA! I hope she doesn't forget Aunt BJ. We had a wonderful and memorable time! Thanks mom for making breakfast EVERY morning and keeping the house spotless...I thank you as my house now is a complete disaster! LOL!    

Spending Time With Sophie

I love this picture of Sophie. A week before this picture was taken she lost her tooth.
Cute smile don't you think?

 Sophie and I had a wonderful time at her class activity, which was constructing gingerbread houses with graham crackers, milk cartons, sugar cones and an ample supply of candy and cereal. Sophie's gingerbread house turned out fantastic! She had such a fun time chatting with friends and eating her  gingerbread trimmings. I loved watching her giggle.

Here is Sophie's amazing gingerbread house!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Sadie, Sophie and Sariah performed so well last Saturday in their December Dance Perfomances. I was amazed at how well they kept in sync with all the other dancers and smiled a majority of the time.

 Sadie and Sophie are in the far back, they are probably two of the younger dancers in the group, but are very talented Hula Dancers.

 Shaking their hips to Tahiti Tahiti, this is their favorite performance by far, they love the music and can perform this in their sleep. 

                      Beautiful Gilmore Girls. They are growing up so fast.

Sariah danced to "Let it Snow, Let it Snow", she did a wonderful job! As you can see she is very focused and knew exactly what she was doing the entire time! 

 She loves Ballet and Tap. I hope she continues because she is a natural when it comes to performing.

 Sariah with her dance group waiting for their turn to "hit the stage!"

Auntie LaLa applying a little stage makeup...lip gloss and blush. She was the one who helped me get the girls ready for their performances because she too dances Hula and competes in Pageants!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Wishing Dad a Happy Birthday in Iraq was probably one of the hardest things to do...we just wanted Daddy home to celebrate with! Fortunately, modern technology enables us to share such moments as these. The children enjoyed seeing their Dad via the web camera! Here we are gathered around the lap top getting ready to sing Happy Birthday to Dad.

 I am just as excited to see Dallas on the web camera, it's not everyday I get to see him and hear his voice, so this is a super big deal!

Ammon waits patiently for his turn to blow out the candles for Daddy! WE all blew! I think Ammon spit on the cake more than anything. Sariah lovingly picked out Daddy's cake and prepared it with the help of Mom. She added the ingredients, frosted the cake, added blue sprinkles and two candles! She was super excited and made sure I made it to the Commissary (Military Grocery Store) to buy what was needed.

 In addition, to chatting and singing with Dad on his Birthday we enjoyed sending him a Birthday package, which he recieved a day before his Birthday! I so wish we could of all jumped inside the package! That would be so wonderful!

The girls being silly as usual! They are super excited!

 Sophie enjoying her first bite of the Birthday cake and Ammon smiling in approval...I hope! We love you Dad and are So grateful for All that you do for our family and country! We look forward to your arrival home with much anticipation.

*Thanks Auntie LaLa for taking such wonderful pictures!

Laie Temple Re-Dedication

Sadie & I at the Mililani Stake Building in Mililani, HI

Today, Sadie and I had the opportunity in attending the Laie Temple Re-Dedication. To sum it up in two words it was both Heavenly and Wonderful! Many faithful Latter-day Saints were in attendance for this spiritual event and I am sure many walked away with different feelings from their spiritual experience. I know I did. I would like to share some of my thoughts with you now. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is simple. Simple in every degree. 
What stood out the most was this quote given by our Prophet Thomas S. Monson, "You will not remember everything that is said this day, but I hope you remember the feelings you felt." It is so true. I cannot remember every word, but I can remember the expression on my daughter's face and the feelings I felt.
I felt a sense of peace, joy, love and excitement...all of these emotions combined into one, if you can imagine! I had extreme peace in knowing my Dallas, three daughters and one son were sealed to me for all time and eternity IF I strive to live according to the covenants I made in the Temple. I felt joy in knowing Families Can Be Together Forever! I felt a deeper sense of  love for my Savior Jesus Christ & Heavenly Father for providing such Temples here on the earth. I felt excitement in knowing that someday soon I would again walk into the House of the Lord with my Dear Love Dallas!
I am  especially grateful that I was able to share in this experience with Sadie. To see her beaming smile is joy felt beyond measure! I love you Sadie! MOM

Happy, Happy Birthday Ammon!

Happy Birthday Ammon!
It was a blast as you can tell from
 his ADORABLE smile!

Ammon was extremely excited to blow out his candle. He blew pretty hard!
See how wide his mouth is as he prepares to blow the
candle out?

So hard that no one had to help him!

We all clapped in AMAZEMENT!

Such a BIG BOY!

Cute! 

P.S. Don't you just love Tysho's expression?

I think Sohpie and Sariah do!

Halloween 2010

To set off the Halloween festivities in the Dallas & BJ Home, we had the children wear their Halloween PJ's! The kids had fun posing for the camera in the "playroom". I love how you can see each of their personalities shine through in each picture. Crazy Kids!






Being that Halloween fell on a Sunday, we opted to participate in our ward's Trunk or Treat on Saturday (Wahiawa 2nd Ward). All three Wahiawa wards were in attendance and as to be expected there were an insane amount of children!

Sadie was Frankenstein's Bride...and yes I made her costume. Sophie was a ballerina. I made her tutu from scratch (minus the extra apparrel, which we purchased). Sariah was Snow White. She used Sophie's Disney costume. Ammon was a Fire Fighter (what else would we expect of the boy obsessed with Fire trucks?). To create his costume I simply applied tape to his raincoat and boots than added a Fire Fighter's Hat. TA-DUH!




What made our Saturday night even more perfect was being able to spend it with our three favorite cousins; Tysho, Lincoln, and MaeLee! We had a fun photo shoot in the cultural hall because our children are just so ADORABLE!




P.S.
The children had fun yelling to our neighbors as they walked by our house, "We have a lot of candy!" Since we live on an island, I started to panic and began buying Halloween candy back in September!