Thursday, May 5, 2011

An Attitude of Gratitude-BIG Announcement/Changes ahead

The other day, in the midst of a raging pity party for myself while feeling homesick, it occurred to me that maybe things weren't as horrible as they seemed to be.  Sure things haven't always been easy for us, and we seem to do things in the most difficult way possible, but it's always worked out.

I thought back at all the twists and turns our lives have been taking the last couple years, and although at times I have felt annoyed, upset, sad, scared, frustrated, angry, lonely etc., I realized that we HAVE been blessed.  So I've decided to show a little gratitude for those blessings.

The first blessing - although it didn't seem like one at the time - was that it took us a while to get pregnant with Addison.  We had been trying for a while and had basically decided to stop and wait until Marty had finished basic training.  We found out one month before he left that we were pregnant.  The reason this was a blessing, is because Marty's dates for basic training were changed, and if we had gotten pregnant when we wanted, Addison would have been born while Marty was gone.  Instead he was able to be there for her birth.

Then there was the whole Korea prospect.  We were making plans and were sure Marty would be headed to Korea for 1 year for his first duty station.  But last minute, it changed and we were able to head to Washington together.

Then Marty was set to be deploying with his unit here in the next few months.  But things have fallen into place, and only a small portion of his unit is now deploying, and Marty is not going!

And finally...
The big announcement that I've been keeping from people...
(sorry friends...I REALLY wanted to say something.)  

We are getting out of the Army and will be moving home THIS SUMMER!
I cannot even tell you how excited, thrilled, elated etc. I am.  

And since I know people are going to want to know why/how this is happening, I will give the shortened version (not that short versions are my thing).

Basically Marty's back and hip were injured a while back, and he's been doing this constant cycle of being injured, going through physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic adjustments and doctor's appointments, gets just about healed and then gets re-injured during an exercise or something with the Army.  So because of this, he hasn't been able to maintain some of the physical standards to be in the Army.  Marty discussed his problems and frustrations with his first sergeant. He replied that the Army would like to keep him, but if he wants to leave and get himself taken care of, he would make it happen.  

After some prayer, discussion, talking it through with some family members, platoon sergeants, and the chaplain, we decided that this opportunity doesn't present itself....well, ever.  So we told him it's what we felt was best.  Right now we do not have exact dates, we are playing the waiting game - of course.

Marty has a job already lined up at home, although he will be applying for BMET (biomedical equipment technician) jobs as well, so we'll be praying something falls into place with that.  But the good thing is, no matter what, he has a job lined up and we will be just fine.

I cannot help but feel SO blessed and grateful for how things are turning out for us!
And I am SO happy to say that ready or not Utah... 
The Davis family is COMING HOME!

Friday, April 29, 2011

Claire's Birthday Celebration

I realize I could have just waited until we had celebrated Claire's birthday to do one post, rather than two...but too bad, I didn't.

So here are pictures of the little celebration we had the night of Claire's birthday.  She was SO spoiled, and we are so super grateful for all the wonderful presents sent by family members.  

She had a FANTASTIC day!

Getting ready to open the presents.
(I don't know why the pictures seem blurry...if you click on them you can see them bigger and more clearly.)
 



"Okay, you can stop taking pictures now mom."


Card from Great Grandma and Grandpa Campbell.
"I'm RICH!" 
(She had gotten a couple other cards with money, she couldn't believe it!)

Quick pause to talk to Grandma Davis

New princess dress 
"It's like Barbie Fashion Fairy!"
 
Her haul...it was AWESOME!

Time for cake!

Whoa...easy there daddy!

Claire sure is one wonderful, and spoiled 4 year old!

Happy Birthday Claire!

Has it really been 4 years since we brought this spunky red-head into the world? 
Where has the time gone?
 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAIRE!

We love Claire SO much, without her our life wouldn't be nearly as exciting!
 Some things about Claire I want to remember as she turns 4:

Claire: 
- Has an AMAZING memory.  She hears something once and it's there for good.  We have to be very careful about what music we listen to, what we watch on TV, say or do around her. (For instance in her video I ask her to sing "Jar of Hearts"...and she knows all the words to the chorus without blinking.  I don't even know all the words.)

- Is the most eclectic little kid I've ever known.  Her birthday wish list was: A Batman Crystal Ball, A Chickenbot (which we think must be a chicken robot), a Toy Story cake and she added yesterday The Don't Touch Hand Soap System for the bathroom...because it would sure make washing her hands so much easier.  

- Is usually off in her own little world, but is also very meticulous with little things.  She will try writing words, sounding them out, and will carefully sit and color a picture for an hour making sure she is inside all the lines.  She pays very close attention to details. 

- Has suddenly decided she's a "fashion girl".  An example, yesterday she wore a blue and yellow dress paired with purple sweat pants, a white and pink sweater and a green headband.  She is SURE that wearing pants under a dress makes her look older, even if it is sweat pants.  For her birthday she is getting pink cowboy boots and a pink superhero cape...I'm sure some interesting outfits will be coming.

- Is looking forward to growing up so she can clean faster....which won't be hard to do. 

- Needs at least a 10 minute warning that we're leaving the house so she can get shoes and a sweater, plus you will have to remind her at least 10 times that is what she's supposed to be doing. 


And here is the 4 year old video.  Keep in mind we had both just woken up...but there are a few gems in there.  And yes, it's long.


Saturday, April 23, 2011

Happy Easter!

HAPPY EASTER!

We kicked off our Easter celebration today, because tomorrow Marty has a 24 hour shift and will be gone (plus, we can focus on the REAL meaning of Easter tomorrow).

After breakfast, the girls all went to the library with Marty (it's become a Saturday tradition we all look forward to).  While they were gone the Easter Bunny came and left eggs in the backyard.  Isn't that so convenient?

The girls were SO excited!


And they're off...


Addison's first Easter Egg hunt.


I have more eggs than you do...


Poor girl isn't feeling the best, so she wasn't 100% into it.

She is lucky she's so cute though, her sisters made sure to leave eggs for her and helped her find them as well.


"Show me your baskets!"


Addison sees an opportunity while Claire is distracted to snatch an egg.


Claire gets her cool moves from Marty....and her sense of style.


When Addison went down for her nap, we dyed some eggs. We considered doing this while she was awake.  But since we don't really like catastrophic disasters, we opted for her waiting another year (or two...or three) to partake in this.
 
 


It has been such a great Saturday!  It really surprises me that the longer we've been away from "home", the more I've been able to really enjoy and appreciate these quiet holiday celebrations with just our little family....not saying a nice big celebration wouldn't be enjoyable as well!

I hope you ALL have a fantastic Easter weekend!