Back to Life as Usual

We're so glad to be back to life with Steve at home! It's funny how being away from someone can make you realize how much you take them for granted. I haven't wanted to be away from Steve's side since he got home on Friday. And neither have his boys! Today was Steve's first duty day back and you could tell that Silas was struggling with it. He was grumpy and whiny off and on all day. It's really amusing to me how much that little boy feeds off of his interaction with his daddy! They're a pair!

We've had a good week. I honestly can't believe that tomorrow is Friday! Life just continues to speed on full force and we just try to keep up. There's always an adventure waiting around the bend. I guess all we can do is hold on and enjoy the ride!

Daddy's Home!!!!

Steve is in his truck headed home from their cache site on the west side. He'll be home in the next half hour or so. And, as much as I've reported here, now that he's home you may not hear from me for a few days! We're going to be spending as much time together as possible for the next few days, making up for 21 long days apart!!!

The boys haven't been able to sit still this evening. Between Daddy coming home and the cake we HAD to have here to celebrate, they can't wait. But then again, neither can I!!! My husband and best friend is returning to me at last!

Thank you everyone for all your prayers!!! I appreciate them more than you know! You'll hear more from me in a few days...

A fun morning!

Somedays I wish Avery wasn't in school every day! This morning I would have loved to have had him along as we went to the library and then the apple orchard.

We drop Avery off at 8:30 and had a scheduled MOPS trip to the orchard at 10 a.m. So we went to the library in the meantime. We missed Avery, for sure! Here are pictures from the library where we did puzzles, played games, and read books.

Nolan pulled himself up to his knees! Won't be long until he is cruising around stuff!!!

And we had a great time picking apples and having slushies at the orchard. Mommy also enjoyed some time to get to know the other moms from the MOPS group. Here are some pictures of Silas there. Apparently I didn't get any of Nolan, but he enjoyed eating the apples! And he loved the apple cider shushie that Silas shared with him!

And, of course I can't end a post without updating on Steve. They are de-mobilized for sure, and are headed out of Texas this morning. They are staying the night somewhere is Arkansas tonight and then will do the rest of their driving tomorrow. They will be home late tomorrow evening or tomorrow night. Please pray for safe travel! We're almost done with this adventure!!!

An encouraging day!

Today has been an encouraging one so far. Steve found out that they are being demobilized tomorrow morning. They are in Houston today and will be heading out from there. They are slated to be in Indianapolis late Friday evening. Yeah!!!

Another source of encouragement... A note in the mail from a friend. A lady in my MOPS group was letting me know that she has been praying for us while Steve has been away. I can't tell you how much these things mean to me. First, who doesn't love to get mail? Then, from a friend that you didn't expect. Finally, to know that you are being prayed for! It's wonderful.

And, the boys got some unexpected mail too! Grandma Debbie sent them a Disney video that they love. They were so excited that we had to watch it right away! Thank you Grandma!!!

Well, the kids are busy playing. I'd better go. Just wanted to share the news!!!

Galveston Day 2

I talked to Steve tonight and they are staying in Galveston once again. They spent the day doing searches again. He said that there were many people who chose to leave once they came to their homes. Once again, they are spending the night in a church there. He is not sure of their plans for tomorrow. As of now everything he has heard is a "rumor." So, I won't spread any "rumors" but will stick with this is all I know for now!

I took some pictures of my baby today. I took several pictures of him smiling trying to capture those top teeth. If you look closely in the third picture...there they are! Anyway, enjoy Nolan's wonderful, innocent smile! He melts my heart!!!

Galveston

The task force moved to Galveston today. Steve got to sleep in a hotel last night, which was a nice break from the bus. They slept in the bus the night before. Then this morning they headed to Galveston. Steve was able to help canvas some neighborhoods looking for people who needed assistance. He said that his back is tired tonight, so that's a good sign that he had a busy day! His cell signal was terrible though, so I didn't get much out of him. I did get that they are spending tonight in a church gymnasium. And Galveston is still without power. The Salvation Army fed them dinner tonight. That's all I know. He did say that they had work for tomorrow, but they aren't talking past that. We'll continue to take it one day at a time. I mean, today is day 17. So, if we can make it this long, we can survive a little longer!

I'm tired. I've had a long and very productive day, but now it's time to turn in. I'll update again tomorrow if I hear from Steve again.

Different day, same old story...

The task force did go to Port Arthur, and they are conducting rescues today! I'm not sure what, if anything, Steve is getting to do personally. They have just 3 boats, so not all 84 people will be able to work at a time. I'm anxious to hear from him again. But I know that they are fine, and that eases my mind.

I'm so proud of my children. They've been wonderful this weekend. They were excellent for Sarah last night, and the rest of the weekend they have been with me. They have had a great time and been GREAT! Silas has the potty thing down now, and he uses the "big boy potty" now, so I'm done with the horrid potty chair! And if he keeps it up with waking up dry after bedtime and naps, we'll toss the pull-ups too! The last several days he has done perfectly even through the night. One night he even woke at 3 am to go. Little stinker! I'm so proud!

Nolan now has his top two teeth, and they're so far in that you can see them when he smiles. It's the most adorable thing. I'll take a picture and post it soon. I haven't been very good about taking pictures lately. Something has been preoccupying me!

Well, I'm off to get cleaned up for bed. It's been a blessed Sunday, and I've truly enjoyed the day I had with just myself and my children! Now, if my best friend would just come home...

Goodbye Ike...

Well Ike is moving out of the Houston area. Later today and into tomorrow they will be more able to assess the damage and put our team to work! Steve predicted to me that they will be in the Port Arthur area, but that is not confirmed at this point. He also is thinking that their work won't take just too long. I pray that is true.

You know, now that the storm has passed, my spirits are lifting. I've had a great morning with my children and really have enjoyed the time we've had together to play. Steve has been in communication with me off and on this morning, and that has been a relief as well. His spirits are good too. I think he's ready to do what he has been trained to do after waiting for 15 days for something!

Sorry for yesterday's vent about my emotion. I'm not going to delete it because I am human, and I have days where it is hard to be optimistic. While I want to be a Christian example for those around me, I cannot hide the fact that I too experience many trials in my walk. The important thing is that nothing ever changes what I believe, and that I don't lose Faith in my God. I'll never change that!

So, I feel like I'm back on track. Ready to tackle this last little stretch head on! And, soon, I hope that this blog will be more about the fun things in our lives and less about Steve being gone! Thanks for hanging with us through it all!

It doesn't get any easier...

As the storm quickly draws near to Texas and Steve in Houston, I just find it harder and harder to be patient. Is it because he's been gone so long? Probably. Is it because I'm concerned for his safety? Probably. Is it because I feel the strain of trying to keep things normal for my children at home? Surely.

And I've had wonderful support from my family and friends! As a matter of fact, I'm majorly indebted to many of you for being so supportive. Especially my mom and dad, Melissa, Shelley, and Sarah Gayle. You all are probably ready for Steve to be home so that you can have a break from me! But, even with all of the help we've experienced, we all know that no one can replace daddy!

And I realize this too... I need a break. More of a mental break than anything. I've tried to hide it and pretend that I'm capable of doing it alone. I never want to have to ask for help. But I guess I need it. Steve told me last night that he was ordering me to hire a babysitter for this weekend so that I could take an evening off. So, tomorrow evening, Sarah is going to watch the boys. I still feel guilty allowing someone else to completely care for them. Like I'm a failure for not being able to do it by myself. But I'm tired. And overwhelmed with all sorts of emotion. You know, Steve is not just a husband or father around here. He's my best friend. And having your husband and your best friend away at the same time is hard!

I'm alright. I'll always be alright. It's just hard to admit emotion like what I'm experiencing. I love my children! And I never want to fall short when it comes to mothering. But I feel like I'm letting them down. And that makes me feel inadequate.

Ike is coming!

Well, Ike will be making landfall sometime late tomorrow night. Steve is now in Houston staying in a hotel again finally. They are doing all sorts of preparations for tomorrow's hurricane. Their equipment is all parked indoors and they will probably sort of batton down their own hatches tomorrow. I'll most likely lose communication with him here in the near future. That's bumming me out. We've been able to be so close through our communication recently.

I think I'm just sort of down in general. I've been amazingly staying upbeat, but suddenly it's hitting. I think the stress of the storm added to the fact that this will be our third weekend without Steve home is just weighing on me. Plus, it's supposed to be a rainy weekend followed by more rain early in the week. It's hard to be forced indoors with three stir-crazy boys. I know I'll be fine, and I haven't lost Faith. I'm just a little emotional I guess. God will provide.

I'll keep you updated!