Jealous.
March 11, 2010 | Filed Under Daniel, Eliza Dove, Eve, Military Life, New Mexico | 5 Comments
Mornings with Daddy rarely happen. Unless it’s the weekend. Early morning is our time; I get up with Daniel at an ungodly hour to make his lunch and feed him a hot breakfast. We have a few quiet moments together before he heads to base with coffee in one hand, food in the other, and a kiss on his lips.
I’m jealous of this time we have together. I don’t share it with the kids even though I know they would love to see Daddy before he leaves for the day. Yesterday was an exception. Daniel was catching a ride into work with his boss who was running a bit late. So, everyone was up together while I made Daniel breakfast and got his lunch together.
It was special and I mostly enjoyed it. But it’s not going to become a regular event.
I’ve never been very good at sharing.
It’s Friday! Amazon Delivered!
February 27, 2010 | Filed Under Daniel, Eliza Dove, Eve, Judah, Love is..., Photos, Sewing | 17 Comments
I present to you….
My new sewing machine:
I’m excited. I think. More scared, to be truthful. I waited like five hours to open the box. It frightened me.
When I bought my first dslr camera, I opened the box and was able to start taking photos. Not good photos, but photos nontheless. With the sewing machine, I opened the box (it was a struggle, man. I think I broke out in a sweat trying to pry the freakin’ machine out of the box!), took the machine out and stared at it. And then I took a photo of it. Because that’s what I do. I think I heard it laugh at me, actually.
I’m not sure what my next step is. Perhaps buying some of the accessories I need? Reading the manual, for sure. Fabric?
Yikes. I’m intimidated. But excited too!
But I was (and the kids too!) more excited to see Daniel come walking through the door. Best part of the day (any day), hands down.
And he brought me flowers. Because he loves me.
Happy weekend to you!!
The Weekend.
February 22, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Eve, It's What's For Dinner, Judah, New Mexico, Photos, Texas | 16 Comments
It was fun.
It was busy.
It was supremely tasty.
Friday night we ran lots of errands and then Daniel took our family to a local Mexican restaurant. So fun! We ate our dinner while listening to live music. Loved that.
The food was mouth-watering delicious and authentically New Mexican.
We had a wonderful time until Judah melted down in the parking lot. Such is life.
Saturday we headed out to the Palo Duro Canyon near Amarillo. Amazing. Seriously breathtaking. It’s a wild sensation to be driving across the plains, surrounded by enormous fields and stinky cows, and then BOOM. A huge canyon. Red walls, massive rocks… a refreshing change of scenery.
The kids had a fantastic time “trailing.” Daniel and I realized that I don’t do so well with “off-trailing.” I’m not so adventurous, apparently. Along the trail we saw some interesting animal tracks; some that struck large amounts of fear into my heart. Like, the fresh ones that looked like them belonged to a large cat. I got the chills looking at those! Yikes! Good thing Judah brought his “trusty ‘ol gun,” as he fondly calls it.
Daniel explored a cave and took the kids up the side of a cliff. Fun times in the beautiful weather. Unfortunately, because the trail was so low, we lost the sun and warmth fast. Brrr! I couldn’t get back to the truck fast enough. Eliza and I were popsicles! Daniel and I took a second before leaving to take a couple of photos, proof that we were actually at the canyon with our kids. I live with a goof-ball. A mean goof-ball. These photos were right before he stuck his ice-cold hands onto my back!
Since we were so close to Amarillo, and Target (!), we headed into town. Hiking made us very hungry so we stopped at Blue Sky for some burgers. Daniel had heard it was great and indeed, it was! I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of grease.
And the Anaheim chili sticks… awesome!! Wowza. I wanted to lick the bottom of the basket. I refrained. It was touch and go, though.
Sunday, we recuperated.
An awesome weekend! I am so thankful that Daniel is home. Life is so much happier, goofier, tastier, and more adventurous.
P.S. Not so sure about the big photos. I’ve never really cared about them. But, with the (blasted, horrid, I am horrible at making them) blog boards, bigger was better. We’ll see about the bigger photos… I find it annoying to have to scroll down to look at the whole thing.
My Funny Valentine.
February 15, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Lovers, Photos, Valentine's Day | 13 Comments
My funny Valentine
Sweet comic Valentine
You make me smile with my heart
You’re my favorite work of art
Don’t change a hair for me
Not if you care for me
Each day is Valentine’s Day
How was your Valentine’s Day? Do anything special? We didn’t. But it was still sweet ’cause I’m with him.
P.S. Lyrics from the song, My Funny Valentine
Daniel and the kids re-unite video…
January 7, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Deployment, Eliza Dove, Eve, Judah, Military Life, Perspective, Video | 44 Comments
I thought you all might like to share in our joy.
I video-ed on my mighty little Flip video camera when Daniel and the kids first saw each other at my parents house.
Just try not to cry.
Untitled from andrea hub on Vimeo.
This video is after a few minutes had passed and Eliza was in the process of warming up. Thank the Lord for Skype! Daniel and I directly attribute Eliza seeing him and talking to him via Skype to her recognizing and quickly being comfortable with him.
Eliza warms up from andrea hub on Vimeo.
The “reintegration” process has been absolutely seamless. The kids have fallen right back into rhythm with Daddy; the only issue I can see is that they have to learn to trust Daniel again. Trust that’s he’s here to stay… they tend to get a little frantic, asking for him when he leaves the room or to run out to the truck. Especially Eliza.
Right now I am laying on a couch on Columbus AFB in Mississippi watching the Texas/Alabama game with Daniel. We are well on our way back to New Mexico and it has been a wonderful trip thus far. I will write a detailed blog about our trip once it’s over but truly, it has been an amazing time as a family. I am thankful for every minute I sit next to Daniel in our truck. The kids have been complete angels and we have made some great memories.
This is the first time I have been on my computer since Sunday (I KNOW!) so to say blogging has had to take the back seat would be an understatement but this family time minus any distractions has been a blessing. But I am very much looking forward to getting back into a rhythm. I am so much happier and peaceful now… as my brother David said today, I am a “totally different girl!”
And I really am. Daniel does that to me. I’m so thankful for my magnificent husband!
The red-heads re-unite!
January 1, 2010 | Filed Under Andrea, Crossfit, Daniel, Deployment, Photos | 45 Comments
Oh yes, my husband has red hair. Did you not know that?
Well, I did. And I love his hair. But he loves to shave it right off. For my birthday all I wanted was for him to grow out his hair. It was a sacrifice but he did it and oh….. it has made me happy!
So yes, the red-heads have re-united! And what did we do?
We went and worked out, of course!
You can’t see the bar but we are hanging from the pull-up bar over at the Crossfit gym…
My mom and dad took the kids for us and we have so far had a day and a half of togetherness. And it has been amazing. We have had such a blast just being together. I’m so thankful for my magnificent husband.
Thank you all so much for sharing in our excitement. You are a blessing to my life and you bring me much joy.
Today the kids and their Daddy are going to be re-united. We are all so very excited!!
Veteran’s Day 2009
November 11, 2009 | Filed Under Daniel, Deployment, Military Life, Photos, Veteran's Day | 19 Comments
My husband’s view every evening… an Iraq sunset
Thankful and proud…
I am thankful for the path of blood, sweat, tears. Of young lives given; of thinking and wanting nothing in return; the sure focus, the pride of sacrificing all for one’s country – values – religion. The willingness to lay down one’s life to assure freedom for those yet to come.
I am proud of my husband, a patriot. Of his decision young in life to choose sacrifice; to choose the harder path; to live for a cause greater than himself.
I am proud to be living in the shadow of much greater women who have gone before me; to be living and serving alongside strong courageous women who sacrifice daily under the title of “military spouse.”
We live for our men, for our children, for our country.
Is there any greater calling?
Camera sent to Daniel from the very generous Sara
Life is life…
September 28, 2009 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Deployment, Eliza Dove, Eve, Life Stuff, Photos, Vermont | 15 Comments
I have three drafts sitting in my folder. Three times I have tried to write a post and bleh... they stunk like a skunk.
But this one is the one. I am determined to post it, good, bad, or otherwise.
I am not sure if, in the nearly three years I have been writing on this tiny space that is mine all mine, I have ever gone this long without posting. All I can say is, I am not me without Daniel. He’s my lighthouse.
Last weekend and part of this week, the girls and I spent time back in Vermont. Oh, it was happy. Very, very happy. I finally felt like I was home. Though the getting there was a wee too exciting for my liking. Little Miss Liza-Lu determined we needed a slight detour and landed herself in the ER for a dislocated elbow. It was terrifying because we didn’t know what happened. I thought she broke her hand or her arm! It took me right back to the last time Daniel deployed and Judah had his seizure. Thankfully the PA popped it right back in and she was her chubby happy self again. My poor heart though!
Once in Vermont much happiness ensued…
We went to the apple orchard that our little family has picked at since Eve was one year old. With the exception of last year, of course. I am planning on a “through the years post” of our annual apple orchard sojourn.
It was so thrilling for my heart to see how well Miss Eliza Dove fit in with the Vermont-ness.
It was fulfilling for me to see her perfect in her birthplace…
Our visit to Vermont was the best ever. Our friends spoiled us rotten. Rotten. It was wonderful! I was even able to connect with some friends and neighbors. Not much has changed and that was comforting. Though, you should have seen Eve’s face and heard her exclaim with indignation, when we drove by our little red house, that, “SOMEONE LIVES THERE!” Yup. They do. But it was much homier when we lived there. Poor little red house. I wish I missed it but after four years and two more children, we definitely outgrew the space. I’ll never outgrow the memories though.
Hey, catch this…. Liza got her ears pierced while we were in VT! Hooray! I even held her during the entire process. MAJOR victory. I am a big advocate (just like you) of my kids living pain-free. But I wanted her to have the earrings more. She barely cried… literally two tears. Eliza is one tough cookie. I can hardly picture her without earrings now. So happy!
Let’s see… what else did we do… We took rides on the Morton’s antique fire engines… like we did on the 4th of July a couple of years ago. The kids look so young; it was just Eve and Judah though Lizie was gestating in my belly.(Watching that slideshow made me realize that I really need to grow my hair back out. I love it long, it’s truly me). We made earrings and bracelets, Amanda made an awesome necklace. We saw a calf, just an hour old, try out it’s very shaky and brand new legs.
We visited Shelburne Farms (one of our favorite places and also where Eve did pre-school!), saw all the animals, I even braved the hen’s nest and came out with two eggs! And escaped with no pecking!
Vermont will always be in my heart. I really loved every minute we spent there this last week. Thank you Ginger and Erin and Ken for making me and the girls feel happy and at home.
We are back to normal life now. Phew. Today was our first real day of homeschooling. It was really wonderful! Eve remarked to me this afternoon that she didn’t want to go back to regular school anymore. I think we have embarked on a grand new adventure.
Life is life right now. And I miss my husband like crazy. I had no idea a heart could yearn in the way mine does. Sometimes I am okay and sometimes the loneliness washes over me and I can’t breathe… days where I can’t breathe for missing him so deeply.
Daniel, to say I miss you doesn’t even scratch the surface. What we have… it’s a soul thing. Every bit of me loves every bit of you…
Well then…
September 3, 2009 | Filed Under Daniel, Deployment, Deployment Blog, Military Life, Photos, Recipe | 18 Comments
I was a bad mom today. There was much more frustration than happiness. Much more ick than good.
Nobody needs to make me feel any worse or beat me up. I’ve done far more of that to myself than anyone else ever could.
Actually, the last couple of days have been kind of ornery for me. I think I have too much on my plate, now and in the very near future. And well, I just don’t do so good with that. Also, I accidentally published a prayer on my other blog, Dear Me, and it made me cry. It was so personal and not suppose to be published. Not that what I have written over there isn’t personal, I mean, I did blatantly talk about the s(ex) word, after all.
I certainly learned my lesson on being more careful to not push publish on something that is only suppose to be a draft. Goodness gracious.
Have I mentioned that I am going down to New Mexico for a couple for a couple of days next week? ‘Cause I am. And boy, am I nervous! I think it might be a little hard on my heart, seeing how I thought the next time I was in New Mexico it would be a HAPPY time and our family would be WHOLE again.
I am very excited to see my friends again, though. And see some of those sunsets that I love so much. And check on my roses, should no one live in our house yet.
This Saturday I am working as second shooter on a wedding with Amanda. And I am excited! I’ve never photographed a wedding before.This one is sounding like it’s going to be pretty awesome. I’ll let you know how it goes. Wish me lots of creative luck!
Daniel is doing good. It’s like groundhog day over there; every day is very much the same. And very, very hot. He starts his last class required for his Physician’s Assistant program application package, this week. We are excited for him to have everything put together and ready to submit. Especially because Daniel’s career field just went to something called “One to One.” Which means a cycle of: 6 months of deployment, 6 months home.
Tell me that doesn’t totally rot. The mere thought of that becoming my reality strikes a whole lot of fear into this woman’s heart.
A bunch of you expressed interest in buying some of my photos… I totally blushed when I read of that. I have thought it over and generally over analyzed it as, you know, I do… and much to the relief of my biggest cheerleaders, decided that I am willing to set something up where you could purchase prints.
If you want to, of course.
Tomorrow I’m going to be a cleaning FOOL. I feel Fall coming on and that spells CLEANING to me! Oh, and baking too. I took my favorite recipes out today ( I keep them in a ziploc bag. Fancy, eh!) and felt this feeling of happiness and comfort wash over me.
I felt like they were a little piece of home. Worn out, stained, scribble upon, and treasured. Sounds like home to me!
Let’s have a happy Friday. Shall we?
Me and you…
August 20, 2009 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Love songs, Lovers, Photos | 28 Comments
Sometimes songs express what I am feeling the best…
Right now I’m loving the old rock ballads. They seem to get me on just the right level.
Especially “Please Forgive Me” by Bryan Adams. His was the voice of my teenage years. Anyone else’s?
I use Rhapsody to listen to music on my computer (love it!) which makes listening to a wiiiiiide range of music easy as pie.
Tonight though, it’s Kenny Chesney’s “Me and You.”
(Suggestion: listen to the song but don’t watch the video… unless you are fully prepared to be overwhelmed by it’s cheesetasticness. Wowza.)
“The song” changes daily… What can I say? I love having choices! And there are so many good songs out there.
What is your song of the day… or the week… or your life? I really want to know! Plus, I need to add more music to my playlist…
2 Months…
August 17, 2009 | Filed Under Andrea, Daniel, Deployment, Military Life, New Mexico, Photos | 19 Comments
Today marks two months from the day I packed the kids and myself into Ruby the truck and drove away from the man I love.
I headed East with my back facing the beautiful New Mexico sky.
(straight out of the camera except for a simple crop)
Do you know how hard that was? Some of you really do.
I always believed it was harder to be left. I don’t know anymore. It tore my heart out to drive away from Daniel, knowing that there was going to be six months between the moment he last kissed my lips and the moment when I could reach my fingers out and touch his face again.
I still don’t know how a person can walk away from the one they deeply love. I don’t know how I did it… I guess it was simply putting one foot in front of the other. Trying not to let the feelings of sadness overwhelm me.
I don’t remember much from those first few hours.
I know I got to Lubbock to pick up my mom. I know that I made it to New York. I know I moved myself into a new house. I know I made it to one month. I know that I made it to two months.
Every day is a choice. A choice to get out of bed, be happy, to smile, to not cry.
It’s a choice to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Some days are much harder than others. I am praying that this month, the one that takes me from two to three, is a lighter load. I want to smile more and cry less.
For those of you that pray for me… thank you. Thank you, thank you.
I can physically feel them. Your prayers make all the difference.
Sweetest Hair Bokeh…
July 31, 2009 | Filed Under Daniel, Deployment, Eliza Dove, Eve, It's What's For Dinner, Military Life, Photos | 13 Comments
Maybe it’s because I know just how sweet she smelled. Or that I could feel her silky baby skin under my fingers. Or seeing how lovely the little curls looked at the nape of her neck…
Maybe that’s why I love this photo of my fresh from the bath, in her birthday suit, baby girl.
Or maybe it’s simply the hair bokeh.
Either way, any way, she’s my sunshine.
We have a little game we play; I say: “Lizey, who loves you?” and she answers: “Mama” in the softest sweetest voice you’ve ever heard. My heart bursts with love every time I hear her say that one little word:
Mama
We held our first complete conversation yesterday evening. I’ll never forget it. Thank you Lord for little girls named Eliza.
Tonight we had a simple, delicious dinner. Brown rice, farmer’s market green beans, and salmon burgers. I am perfectly satisfied with the simplest of dinners. Especially when I have three shining faces looking at me from across the table.
Lest you think I lived some sort of charmed life, I will let you know that dinner wasn’t perfect. Eliza baptized some of her dinner in her water cup, she squished half of her rice onto her diaper, Judah was s-l-o-w, and I was totally hot and sweating because my seat is in the sun and we have no a/c. But, perfect or not, it was a wonderful meal that I was able to eat with my children. Daniel would give just about anything to have been at that table with us.
The sadness in his voice today while we talked about how much the kids are changing, was heart-wrenching. I knew that it would be hard for him to miss so much of the kids changing and growing but to hear the sadness in his voice, to hear the pregnant silence of his disappointment, was really tough. I stopped for a moment to really allow myself feel what it would feel like to be separated from my kids for such a long period of time; the pain of it took my breath away. It was unimaginable. To leave three children in one state of being and to come home six months later to what may seem, entirely new children… my poor husband’s daddy heart is broken.
But, we’ll keep the torch lit and the pictures sent and the skype on. It’s the best we can do. What he’s doing in Iraq is important, he’s making a difference. He needs to be there. And we are desperately proud of him.
Sometimes reality just hurts.
D is for…
July 30, 2009 | Filed Under 26 week deployment and alphabet adventure!, Daniel, Deployment, Eliza Dove, Judah, Photos, Recipe | 26 Comments
We are up to our ears in the letter “D” this week! I haven’t done as much with the kids as I would have liked but we still have a few days left. We have plans to visit a dairy farm, make doughnuts, have dessert for dinner, and… oh, anything else that we run into that involves the letter “D.”
So far Mama has…
Bawled her eyes out when she came across this photo of “D” for Daddy (who is also known as Daniel. Double whammy!)
We have visited with….
“D” for Dad (or GiGi to the littles) who also bears the name “Don!” Another double whammy!
And…
“Diana” whose name to us is Grammie Chips. (She’s the originator of this delicious coffee cake recipe. If you haven’t made this delightful confection, well, you must! A one of a kind, melt in your mouth, moist coffee cake.)
We were surprised by a special delivery from Daddy in the desert…
Dinosaur stamps! Our cut out letter “D” was decorated with these awesome (and perfect for little hands) stamps. Daniel is such a thoughtful Daddy.
It has been a very enjoyable week so far. I am amazed at how these letters have made our time away from Daniel seem to pass more quickly. And to have purpose. We are on a new, surprising adventure each week.
It’s truly a wonderful distraction.
Daniel Doing Desert Duty
July 15, 2009 | Filed Under Daniel, Deployment, Judah, Military Life, Photos | 10 Comments
Still working out!
A couple of days ago, Daniel sent me these photos that a friend took! I was so excited to see pictures of him and his life. All of these photos are from a trip Daniel volunteered to be a part of. It was a trip a team of guys took to a remote base to fix some electric, plumbing, AC, etc. equipment. He didn’t know at the time he volunteered but this meant a couple of rides on a Black Hawk helicopter. I was so happy for him.
Reality is, we can’t be together right now; we can’t be sharing life… you know, doing the parenting, go to work, go to school, clean the house, mow the yard, change the oil, pay the bills, together thing. I want to walk away from this time with wonderful experiences and I want him to walk away from his deployment with wonderful experiences. That little trip he took provided a few of those great experiences for him. I know it was tough; he worked his tail off. And it was wicked hot and wicked dirty and very dangerous but he had a blast. That is all I want for him.
I do have to say, this shower sure leaves a lot to be desired.
I’ll take my porcelain tub any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Thanks.
Oh, and the scorpion… dear LORD that thing is terrifying to look at.
All in all, Daniel is doing good. He’s pretty tired all of the time; between the heat, the work, and school, he is going non-stop. But, he’s good. And he is happy to be doing his part.
I’ll post more photos as he sends them. He doesn’t have a camera yet but once I can send him one they will be more and often.
What a great idea…!
June 27, 2009 | Filed Under Daniel, Love songs, Lovers, Photos | 7 Comments
Pioneer Woman posted a photo of her husband today. It was a photo portraying how her husband truly looks to her.
Sigh.
I had already been in a wistfully romantic mood anyways this evening… it all started with listening to our wedding song a few times while out running an errand. There is something about this song that moves me way down deep.
So, when I read Ree’s post and saw her photo, I knew just what photo I would use to describe how Daniel looks to me.
His love for me is the emotion in his eyes. He loves me completely and there could never be anyone else for me.
This photo, coupled with the gorgeous gravely voiced of Marc Cohn singing True Companion, coupled with the thousands and thousands of miles currently between Daniel and I, makes me wistfully lost in the memory of dancing on our wedding night, under the stars as this song swirled around us.
I need him. I want him. I will wait for him.
(This is our current song: Faithfully by Journey. Just need to change the words “music man” to “military man” and you have us.) (Steve Perry is my absolute favorite artist and I will never ever change my mind.) (Have you ever heard him sing When you love a woman?)(Sigh. I really miss my husband.)
