Daddy made it through!

So, the EFMB course that Chris was at, is pretty much the hardest badge to get in the army. They are tested on numerous different skills, including day & night land navigation, a written test covering the different skills required to correctly care for a wounded soldier, a litter obstacle course (where they simulate carrying wounded soldiers through different obstacles they may find in battle), the ability to demonstrate survival techniques in a nuclear, biological and chemical environments, competency on field radio and radio techniques to prepare and transmit a Medevac request, evacuation of sick and wounded using correct carries, and finally after a week of competing these grueling tasks, they must complete a 12 mile road march with a 40 lb ruck sack on their back, and complete it in 3 hours. Those that don't complete it in time, fail, regardless if they pass everything else. If they fail any event they are done with the program and have to try again the next time it is offered. Only about 15-20% of those who go out for it, actually qualify and receive the badge.

We all decided to go down to San Antonio, just in case he passed, so we could be there for his graduation. It turns out we had to be on the road to get to the graduation site before we even found out if he crossed the finish line in time. As we were driving he called, and said he had made it through. He was the only one of the five guys who had been with him through all the steps that made it in time, and he made it with only 3 minutes to spare. We found out later, that approximately 3/4 of the 20 people that made it came in within the last 5 minutes.
Anyway, we come up to the theater where they were graduating and there were a bunch of soldiers standing around. We saw Ron, who had come down to march with Chris to give him encouragement to keep taking the next step, and he pointed out where Chris was. I was trying to figure out how on earth we were going to find him, when all of a sudden I hear John shriek, "Daddy, daddy, daddy!" At first I thought he was just calling the soldiers daddy, but then I saw a guy covered in sweat and grime coming running towards us!! And again, John squealed, "Daddy!" Of course he got the first hug!! It was precious! I was so thankful, b/c all week John had been almost angry with Chris for being gone. He absolutely refused to talk to him on the phone and would pitch a fit if we even tried. He didn't want to point out pictures of him. I was afraid it would carry over to when we saw him, but it didn't!!!
We arrived right as they were lining up to file in so we made our ways to our seats. John was soooooo excited. He was giddy. It was too cute!
The stage


Sneaking a pic of daddy while he waited for the ceremony

Listening to the band play. It was almost more fun to watch John take everything in as it was to watch Chris cross the stage and get his award.


Look, there's daddy! (He would go "Oh" and then look and point at everything new that happened!)

clapping for a graduate

There's daddy (he's the 4th one in line!)

getting ready to cross the stage

getting his badge pinned on

I'm so glad this turned out. Chris always signs "I love you" as he waves goodbye, or if he can't "talk" to us!

The candidates who made it from Ft. Hood. Chris is the tall one!!


All the candidates who completed EFMB!

We are so proud of you daddy!!! :)

Four Generations

So while my grandma was here with my folks, we decided to get some four generation pictures. Of course it was ridiculously hard to get everyone looking at the camera at the same time, and when we finally did, someone's head was cut off!!! :) Here are some of the best (mind you we took about 55 pics or more trying to get some where most of us were looking and some of us were smiling!)

This started out good. Both looking at the camera and smiling


Then we added John and somehow there was something fascinating on the ground.


Grandma lost interest, but the boys were still fascinated


Attempting to get Ben to look up from the ground


The best of this pose, still not great so let's try

placing the chair with the sun at the back

Well, we got John to look, but Grandma's looking at Ben, who's looking at John. Ay!


Well we got John to look and Grandma to smile, and Ben to somewhat look

So, then we added two more people, and:

dad got cut out, and I'm trying to get Ben too look


Well, dad made it in, but only Grandma and I are looking and John is starting to have a meltdown!


The best we could get with all of us. Unfortunately John is yawning and dad is frowning

My folks needed a new facebook picture, so we took some updated ones, as the last profile pic was in this same location with just John when he was around a year old. Aw the joys of getting two under two to cooperate. And of course now John refuses to look at the camera, and would rather be the one taking the picture, so I get back or side shots of him. Ay!

I'm 2!

These two words have been practiced all week long in honor of today. Yes, today our John Bug officially turned two years old. It's hard to believe it's been too whole years since our lives were forever changed by this bundle of energy!

When did he go from being my little baby to being my big boy? All of a sudden he just grew up. He is now roughly 3 feet tall, and can no longer be held in my arms without a little muscle (although he still loves to be picked up and snuggled if he has a bad dream or wakes up for some reason in the middle of the night). He is officially sleeping in a toddler bed, (has been for about 6 months). He answers yes or no if he wants something (although his favorite word is definitely NO-ugh). He is developing his speech and tries all his new words (some unintelligible unless you look at the context) and his eyes light up if you figure out what he's saying. He loves to be outside running or playing in the water (splash as he calls it).


He is my big helper, bringing me wipes or toys or pacis for his little brother, moving the sprinklers around where I tell him, carrying the bag of trash outside, unloading the dishwasher, handing me clothes to hang on the line, "cleaning" his eating area (this consists of handing me the plates or pushing them off his placemat!). He loves anything to do with batting a ball (sometimes kicking it) or hitting something. He loves noise and anything that makes loud, crashing, banging noise is the best (particularly the drum set at his Uncle Dave & Aunt Sarah's house. He loves that so much that I often find him air drumming when we return home from a visit). He loves to sing and will often just start singing a song he's made up with a few of the words that he knows interspersed. He loves "fixing" things or figuring out how things work (although if something isn't working quite right after a number of times trying it, he will often shriek in frustration and get mad). He loves to organize things in a line or a stack, often based on color. He also loves to open and shut things over and over again (ie a pop up lid).


He loves being loud, squealing through the house chasing Kebap or Tess! His vocabulary is ever expanding, but the words that are the most clear include: Mommy, Daddy, Niah (Benaiah), Kebap, ball, choo-choo, up, down, round and round, bear, flag, star, fruit, cracker, more, please, NO, stay, go, splash, basket ball (said bassetball), football, baseball, soccerball, kitty, doggy, Papa, Nanny (for both his Nana and a banana), cheese, bread, juice, water, lawnmower, truck, shoe, stop, apple, tv, night night, pacifier, Elmo (not really sure how he learned that one b/c he only has Elmo pjs and never watches it on tv), birdie (pronounced birdeye), helicopter, airplane, motorcycle (which often gets called helicopter by mistake), cookie. I know there's more, but I can't think of them right now. He knows the sounds for almost all the animals (except for maybe a giraffe, penguin, rhinoceros -those that I have no clue what sound they make!) He loves saying I love you, byebye, to his daddy when he leaves. He loves his daddy so much and asks where he is constantly throughout the day. (I hear its the same when I happen to leave). He loves his little brother, and even though he doesn't always love letting him play with his toys, he often will try to make Ben laugh.


I love the way his eyes sparkle when he is happy! I love that just the other day he was saying "Bye bye" to me as he walked up the sidewalk with his lawnmower, and then came back just to give me a kiss. I love how thoughtful he is of his little brother, and how he longs to help with everything. I love how he loves to figure things out. I love how he gets concerned and wants to protect mommy or daddy when he sees things are amiss. I love how he loves life.
I love you my "little" John Bug. I can't wait to see the boy and man that you become. We pray that you will come to know Jesus as your Lord and Savior and that you be like John the Baptist & the prophet Isaiah (whom you are named after) and not be afraid to stand up for your Lord, and for right and wrong. We love you so much and can't wait to see what is in store for you.

Trip to Houston/Mothers Day!

So, since I was going to be by myself with the two boys on Mothers Day, my folks "made me" travel to Houston to go see T & Sarah. I say made me cuz I was wavering back and forth whether or not I should go, cuz the boys had been having a rough time sleeping and a rough time staying in their schedule, and John was starting to act out (partly due to Chris being gone, and partly due to all the change). My mom, basically said she wanted all of us to be together on Mother's Day. That coupled with the fact that I slept maybe 4 hours the night before the trip, and not wanting to handle a weekend with two under two with minimal sleep, I decided to go. For the first two days I was so frustrated with my decision. Ben didn't sleep a wink (well maybe 20 minutes-after Grandma Race constantly stroked his cheek and singing to him) on the drive down there, and John was really ornery, and neither of them slept well (one of them was up every hour of the first night).



After a long ride, Grandma playing on the floor with Baby Ben

Stealing kisses
(even though he doesn't sleep much he sure is happy!)


Great Grandma playing with the two boys

... and looking at the camera

My bro sporting his police academy outfit! Wow, he's all grown up!

John sporting uncle T's hat

Ben enjoyed a bath in the sink Friday evening, cuz he had to go to bed, and John was still eating!


So, I was really frustrated on Saturday. Thankfully, the day turned out really great. We met up with my Aunt & cousins at Olive Garden, and I got to catch up with Lisa and how life was with her. Then after the boys naps we got to go swimming in T & Sarah's amazing pool!!
A four generations picture
Great Grandma and Ben at Olive Garden for a pre Mother's day meal. Grandma was going back with my Aunt Linda to San Angelo on Mother's Day, so we celebrated early.

my cousin Lisa and Ben enjoying some cuddle time

Ben telling her all his secrets
Saying bye :(

Ben all alone as his playmate (my grandma) left

This is the coolest pool ever. It's in their apartment complex. It has a ledge with fountains, which John loved:


a gradual descent into deeper water, perfect for babies and mommies who want to get wet but not go under!!




and an actual "deeper" (I think the deepest part was 5 feet)part where you could actually swim and do water aerobics (as my Grandma Senecal decided to do!! My bro stole Ben for a while so I could play with John too.



not to fond of the chlorine in the water!



John became fearless at this pool. He has always jumped off the ledge into Chris's arms, but here, he decided to start running and jumping into the water away from my arms. I had to be on my toes to catch him before he went under (thankfully he didn't go too far out of my reach!)

Ben practicing his back stroke. I do believe he will be the next Michael Phelps!!! ;)
Ben thought sitting on the fountains was hilarious!!

MOTHERS DAY!!!!
Me and John when we first woke up

Ben & I when we first woke up (with Grandma S in the background!!)

Grandma and John. I believe John is showing my mom the "ish" on the bottom of his feet from his sandals!

So, since Ben had to take a nap, due to waking up at a ridiculously early time (6:15), right as first service started, so my mom, grandma, John & I stayed back at the apt while T, Sarah & dad went to their church. We left with what we thought was plenty of time to get there, but apparently the church is on a main street and we hit just about every red light on the half hour drive there. We were about 15 min late and we parked in the visitors section. We were the only car there. When we walked in the door (right in front of the visitors parking) there was a welcome booth with information and people behind it. No one said anything to us. The greeter at the door to the sanctuary handed us a program, but didn't offer to help us find a nursery, as we very definitely appeared overwhelmed, mostly b/c we couldn't find T & Sarah & dad. We finally asked him where one was, and he had to go find someone else, to tell us. It was really wierd. I don't know if I've ever felt so unwelcome. The nursery was a little odd too. They looked at us, like why are you here, and weren't really sure what to do when we showed up. The sermon was definitely Bible based, and the singing was pretty good, but it made me realize more and more how much more there is to church than Sunday morning. How important it is to make outsiders feel welcome into our church, our homes, our lives so that they will want to keep returning to see & meet the One who has changed our lives. It made me thankful for our church in Killeen who has always been fairly welcoming. It made me thankful for my husband who is always quick to spot new people and go meet them. It made me thankful for God taking me out of my comfort zone and putting me in a place where I had to meet new people (ALL THE TIME!) so that it wasn't wierd and I actually enjoy doing it now (unless I'm tired!!) It was a really interesting perspective on life outside the military and what I'm sure I (and my church) looked like.
Anyway, after lunch we went out to eat, b/c of course you HAVE to go out to eat on Mothers Day, right?!?! Apparently everyone and their mom thought the same thing, and b/c not only do Chris & I close down churches (by that I mean are the last ones to leave) but apparently every one in my family is that way (I've seen Dave & Sarah do it countless times, and T & Sarah did it this time). So, needless to say we had to wait about 40 minutes to be seated. By this time it was nearing 1:30. John did well for a while, and then started nodding off.


He finally just ended up being placed in my dad's lap as he couldn't stay awake any longer. Unfortunately, he stayed asleep in the transfer to the car, for the 30 minute drive back to T & Sarah's house, and while we loaded the car, and about 20 minutes into the 4 hour trip, he was done with his nap.

This little bugger again pulled the I'm not going to sleep no matter what card, and slept maybe 20 minutes on the drive back to the apartment. He did learn some new tricks though.
Holding the bottle with his hands
... and with his feet!! He is so talented isn't he?!?!
And not to be outdone, John learned a new trick: straw in between the toes. He thought he was hot stuff as he twisted and twirled the straw with just a flick of his toes!
And what better way to end a long day then for Papa to read you a story before bed!