A little perspective

This is what my street looked like last week. It was lined with American flags as was much of the town. On March 2, a gunman attacked a military bus at the Frankfurt Germany airport and killed 2 Airmen. One of these men grew up in our little town and was buried here. So the word was spread to come out show support as the funeral procession passed through town. The outpouring of support from our community was inspiring. Unfortunately, it takes times like these to reflect on our own lives. I had been having a pretty crummy week with being sick, having sick kids at home, missing my husband, being overwhelmed with daily life blah blah blah. But when I saw these flags waiting on my street to welcome and pay respect to a young man that served so we can live in this beautiful country, I sobbed. Tears of sadness for his family, tears of guilt for thinking I had it so hard, but mostly tears of gratitude for this wonderful life I have and the people that work so hard to protect us. As a former Air Force wife and daughter of a law enforcement agent I personally know the sacrifices people make every day on our behalf. But sometimes, we all just need a little perspective to remember it.

In case you are interested, this is the article that the soldier's commander wrote about the event in our town.

http://www.ramstein.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123246761

Thinking pink

Today was my good friend Maggie's last day of chemotherapy for breast cancer. YAY! I can't even imagine what she has been through these past few months. I have to be honest...I am kind of sick of my friends getting cancer. First my bestie Shelby and now my pseudo-sister Maggie. And also my dear friend Vivian, who comes over at the drop of a hat to help clean for a house showing. I know it is NOT about me. But I wish they wouldn't have to get such a scary disease and then put poison in their bodies to get rid of the aforementioned scary disease. Not to mention the follow-up radiation and surgeries. I wish there was something more I could do besides take them doughnuts and say stupid things. I am not good with words. I am not a calming influence. I am not as thoughtful as I wish I could be. But I love these gals with all of my heart and I am so so proud of them. Shelby and Vivian are healthy and stronger than ever. And Maggie will be soon.

Obligatory Blizzard Pics

The Midwest is having a blizzard. Maybe you've heard? Seriously, did you see this picture?

From NOAA satellite

We haven't been the hardest hit by a long shot, but we have certainly been stuck inside since Monday with school and businesses shut down. Brock is even getting it in Dallas. They are calling it SNOWPOCALYPSE or SNOWMAGEDDON in the media, which cracks me up. Anyway, here is a few pics of our frozen tundra:

Taylor wanted to count the "ice sticks." Yikes!

Stay warm everyone!

Taylor's big news

After weeks and weeks and weeks of wiggling and wiggling, Taylor FINALLY lost her first tooth. I guess my baby girl is growing up. *sniff sniff*

Calling her best friend Mason to share the news. They love each other.

New Year's Eve 2010

I am a fan of New Year's Eve. Some people are not. Brock is one of those people. He thinks it is overrated and hates staying up late. But, every year he indulges my desire for my very own New Years Rockin' Eve. Even he'll admit that the last few years have been a lot of fun. Mostly because our good friends the Rolphs have provided us with family entertainment for the past 4 years. They have this awesome basement, complete with movie projector, pinball, foosball, sodas and snacks, and this year brought air hockey and pop-shot basketball. And they are good sports to let my kids tag along. Brady and Taylor are like their mama, always wanting to stay up late and have a good time. I am grateful that we can spend the evening with our friends AND kids. So thank you Jennifer and Josh for ringing in 2008-2011 with us. And secretly I am figuring out ways to come back for 2012!

We did a lot of this.

And this. (Amy W is deliberately making that face)

We had fun with the noisemakers

Jennifer and her pregnant belly enjoying some rare quiet time.

Don't mind my "deer in headlights" look. It's after midnight, people!

HAPPY 2011!

The straight-up holiday dope

So I am going to keep it real and tell you about the challenge that was my Christmas this year. I usually LOVE Christmas, but this year I just wasn't feeling it. As I mentioned before, we are moving to Dallas ASAP. Brock started his new job with the Social Security Administration in November. That means we have been living here in O'Fallon without a husband/dad for 2 months. And there is no end in sight. I am waiting until we sell our house and we have only had 2 showings. So it was difficult getting ready for Christmas by myself. All in all, it turned out pretty well. Some of my friends heard that I wasn't going to put up a tree. So the Christmas tree fairy (aka The Walkers) brought me one.

Amy didn't want her butt on my blog, but too bad. And bonjour, it's a nice one! (butt and tree)

The next day was a snowstorm and church was even cancelled. But, lo and behold later that afternoon my friends Kathy and Joseph dropped by with a few strings of lights. Just so I wouldn't have to go digging around in the attic looking for some. I did eventually get out some ornaments and let my kids decorate it. It wasn't beautiful...but it actually was because so much love went into getting it there.

To further get into the Christmas spirit, we put on our pj's and went to visit the Jorgensen's treescape. Our cute friends Neil and Deor put this up every year. It takes them weeks to set-up. Complete with a snowy village and working train, it is our favorite winter wonderland.

Brock was able to come home on the 23rd and that's when it really started to feel like Christmas. I was so glad he was here so we were able to have a normal Christmas Eve and Day. It was quite fun. Kathy and Joseph came for dinner and we ate a lot and played many games. Just the way Christmas Eve should be.

We visited Santa in the St Nick of time--afternoon of the 24th!

IT SNOWED! What's more Christmasy than that?

Classy Christmas Eve dinner...plastic cups and all

My ridiculous rainbow jello

Lots of Uno Attack (courtesy of the ever-generous Kathy and Joseph)

And of course cookies and milk for Santa.

Christmas morning was business as usual. Lots of excitement and presents and happiness. We got a Kinect for our Xbox, which is super fun. But the real MVP (most valuable present) was this:

Lotso, the stupid bear villain from Toy Story 3.

Don't you feel all warm and fuzzy now? MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE CIMAS!

Zach's 4th birthday

In keeping with tradition, we sent letters and balloons to my nephew Zachary Ashton on what would have been his 4th birthday. Gillian and her family trekked to his gravesite in Midland to send their balloons. Maybe next year we can go with them (if they'll have us).

Ready to send their letters.

Off they go! Happy Birthday Zach!

Click here and here for past posts about Zachary.