2 Down 4 to Go!

Josh has been gone 2 months today. It seems like it's been FOREVER! I’ve been told that I should be used to deployments because I’ve done them before. How do I get used to half of my life, my soul, my heart gone for long periods of time? Deployments are hard, no matter how many you have gone through. Not saying I am struggling, but life is different, kids are different, dynamics are different, I am different so, this deployment isn’t any easier. I know that Josh is where he is supposed to be right now, and I will support him no matter what. There is one thing that has made this deployment a little better, Skype. This is the first deployment where we have used it, so technology has greatly improved communication, and I like it. I am so proud of Josh and his hard work and service. Today being the 10th Anniversary of 9/11, it is a big day for Josh as he was struck with a great need to serve the country. Soon after the attacks, he started talking to the different branches of the military to sign up. After weighing options and what was best for our family, he joined the Air Force. He has been faithfully serving since. He currently serves as a Flight Commander for the 62nd Force Support Squadron. This is Josh's third tour to the Middle East, and at this time go round, he is serving on General Goldfein’s administrative staff. Did I already say that I am proud of him?  I don't have a lot of pictures of him yet over there, but hopefully I will soon. This picture is of him soon after he arrived there. I know it's a candid shot, but it's all I've got that have his eyes are open (the other one he is giving a speech, but his eyes are closed). :-)

New School Year

Well, four out of my five kids are now in school! They had their first week last week. They all LOVE school, so I am excited too. Since the bus stops right at my hosue, I am "letting" not "making" them ride it to school. This was a debate we had for a few days, but of course they see my way and are such obedient kids :-)

Jaycie is a 6th grader at Hudtloff Middle School. She has chosen band as her elective and wants to play the family tradition of the clarinet. I am happy with this decision because I still have my clarinet from when I played. She has such a great attitude about life. I am kind of irritated with her though because she is almost as tall as me (ha ha, I can hear the comments...I know it's not hard to be taller than me), she is already wearing the same size shoe as me, and she is just growing up to fast. She is really looking forward to school this year. Jaycie is playing soccer right now with the Sharp Shooters. She has never played before, and she is a little frustrated with her team. Most of them have been playing together for about 8 years, so they are a little ignorant as to helping her learn. She works and plays hard anyway, and I am very proud of her.

Mackenzie is now a 4th grader. She is such a lover of school; she is a natural student. This year she has Mrs. Doherty, who is a new teacher at Oakbrook. I can tell this will be a great year for her. Mackenzie is such a wonderful girl. She loves to help and she is a very organized and creative person. She is very tenderhearted and is a great babysitter. Calin is a mighty 2nd grader! He has Mr. Selberg, so he's excited to have a male teacher. Calin is a total mini Josh. He's full of energy and drive. Calin is also playing soccer and is on the team Galaxy with all his friends. I had to miss his first game due to it being an away game and Campbell and Jaycie having games also. I am sure he is a natural just like his daddy. Lately, Calin has been begging me for a little brother. Sorry kid, not going to happen. Campbell is in Ms Jensen's Kindergarten class! Where did the time go? She has grown up so much this summer. She is very head strong and smart, so I am not worried about her at all going to school. Campbell loves riding the bus, going to P.E., and is excited to learn to read. Campbell is also a natural athlete. She had great control and skills at her first soccer game. She is on the Strikers with her best friend Corbin.

Marlie, Marlie, Marlie. All I can say is she wears me out. She is such a typical three-year-old---in to EVERYTHING, bossy, sassy, a ball of energy, and very curious. She is also a sweetheart and loves to cuddle. She loves PINK and playing with her brother and sisters. She brings me light and joy.

The Losers are Winners

I am looking for participants for my Health and Wellness Classes/Weight-loss Challenge. For more information visit my "fit 'n fine" blog. www.thefuturelooksfitnfine.blogspot.com

He's Home!!!

April 6th was a huge day for us. We got to go to Nellis AFB to await the North West Airliner to land and deliver a special package. After about a 45 minute wait after the plane landed, we finally saw the sea of red hats coming toward us. 300 men and woman from the REDHORSE unit returned from SouthEast Asia from a long seven month tour. They completed so many projects it would be hard to list them all here. They are amazing at their jobs and valiant in their efforts in sacrificing to work so far away. The screaming was deafening as all of us family members and friends welcomed home our heroes. After 7 months apart, Josh has finally come home. He spent half his time in Iraq and the second half in Qatar. He doesn't give himself enough credit, but he does work hard and sometimes 20 hours a day 6 days a week. He definitely deserve some R&R. (So far, after being home two weeks, I haven't seen him rest or relax. He's fixed cars, finished our driveway, and "re-doing" our whole back yard, gone to park multiple times, and in a constant wrestling or tickling war with the kids. There isn't more than 20 minutes that will go by where he doesn't have a kid hanging on him or on his shoulders. Sometimes he's got all 5 of them on him at once. I just sit back, smile and say, "welcome home!" The kids were so happy to see their dad. They couldn't stop staring at him. I was nervous that Marlie wouldn't be comfortable with Josh, but as you can see in the picture, she was attached at first glance. She had just turned 4 months when he left, so she did a lot of growing. To this day, I don't think I have really had 5 minutes alone with him. Every time we sit down to plan a trip or even the day, we are interrupted and never get to finish our conversation. Hopefully one of these days things will get back to "normal". Thank you to everyone for all your support while he was away. Just know when you need me, I've always got your back too! Love you all and God Bless. = )

What I have been up to!!!!!

I can't believe how times flies when you are having fun. I have had a hectic schedule being a busy mom, but I have been taking the time to better myself. I have been getting trained to be a Personal Wellness Coach and have been having a blast. I want to share all this awesome information, so if you are interested in being healthy and happy let me know. I have products available, but I am not trying to sale you anything. I just want to share the information, and then you can decide how you want to help yourself. I have been on Herbalife products now for just over a month and have lost 9 pounds of fat and gained 3 pounds of lean muscle. I have lost over 12 over all inches, but am excited that I have lost 4 inches around my stomach. I have had great results with my energy and over all health. I have been able to push myself harder with heavier weights in aerobics, I have been able to play with my kids later in the afternoon instead of vegging on the couch, and I have been able to sleep at night. If you want a one-on-one Wellness meeting, I would love to talk to you. If you want to just look at product you may go to my website at www.shopherbalife.com/fitnfine I have great plans for Las Vegas with some fabulous friends. I hope that I can share these dreams with you. Give yourself permission to start getting healthy!

Happy New Year!

Welcome 2009. 2008 has come and gone with many life changes and 2009 can only get better. We are now officially half way through Josh's deployment and are now starting on the count down to his return. I still don't have an exact return date, but we have a ball park date. I tried to come up with some unique resolutions, but for the most part they are the typical renewal from every other year. 1. Read Scriptures Daily. Prepare my lessons well and be prepared. 2. Journal Daily. I have been doing this since 1 Sept, but will continue. 3. Part of my daily journal, I want to do a daily photo. I want to learn how to take some really crazy pictures. I started to take an online course awhile ago on photography, so I will finish it. It was a class offered through the base. Hope my camera is up for it. 4. Tone and Tighten my body. Eat healthy and Exercise more. 5. Get Book Club running again. Read lots of books. 6. Be a better wife and mother. Be more patient and meek. 7. Get and Stay out of Debt 8. De-clutter the house. It's way out of control. 9. Plan an awesome surprise 10 Year Anniversary for me and Josh. 10. Finish training to become a Health and Wellness Coach. Training has been great so far. Working with the program myself, in just two weeks I've already lost 5 1/2 pounds and 5 3/4 inches over all. I am so excited. It's only going to get better too. Best wishes and a happy and healthy 2009! The kids were so patient waiting to use their noise makers.

Tate's 2008

2008 has been such a rollercoaster. We have had so many things happen, good and bad, but through it all, we have felt the Lord’s hand and blessings. We have been strengthened and molded to be a happier and closer family. Josh and Cami celebrated their 9th Wedding Anniversary at Emeril’s Fish House, their special restaurant and to KA, a gravity-defying production by Cirque de Soleil. As a family we all took a vacation in Blanding for two weeks where we hiked, swam in the lake, and picked and bottled 66 quarts of cherries and 10 pints of cherry jelly. We appreciated the relaxed lifestyle we had while we were there and dreamed of one day being able to live in such peace. -------- JOSH turned 31 this November and had lots of new changes. He fulfilled his church callings of Nursery Leader (his favorite) and then Scouts as the 8 year old leader. Josh transferred to be the Section Commander of the RED HORSE squadron at Nellis. They are a squadron of Readiness Expeditionary Civil Engineers. We have had lots of fun with this squadron by going to Lake Mead cruising on a beautiful yacht owned by the Silverton Casino. The owner of the yacht is the squadron’s Honorary Commander. He donates his boat and an amazing barbeque dinner. We also got to go to Defending the Caveman, a comedy show for free. Afterwards we were interviewed by the news about the upcoming deployment. This new job at RED HORSE brought a deployment of 7 months. The first month gaining Army Combat Skills training in Wisconsin and then followed by a 6 month tour to Balad, Iraq. He has many long hour work days and is able to call home every once in a while for a 15 minute call. We miss him terribly. -------- CAMI has had a demanding year with being mom to five active kids. She was busy with the kids’ school functions, Book Club, aerobics, couponing, making greeting cards, scrapbooking, and turning the big 30. Cami was a Sunday School Teacher to the 16 year olds until she was released to have an easier calling in the Enrichment Committee while Josh would be gone. She also enjoyed going to three concerts this year. She went to see Elton John, and then became a New Kid on the Block groupie again. She had a blast. The year is ending with her following a dream in learning more about health and nutrition. She is getting trained in becoming a Health and Wellness Coach. -------- JAYCIE has had a big year. She graduated from second grade and started the third with Mrs. Sanchez. Jaycie turned eight and chose to be baptized and become a member of the church in July. She has such a sweet spirit and really tries to do what’s right. She also started to develop her love of music by taking piano and voice lessons. She is a fast learner and is very talented. Her voice brings a smile to all. She loves being active by hiking, biking, roller blading, and anything to get her outside. Though she has a hard time enduring the responsibilities of being the oldest, she loves her brother and sisters, and this love shows in her service. -------- MACKENIZE has grown up so much this year. She turned six in July and finished up kindergarten. She loves Mrs. Lopez as her 1st grade teacher and she loves school and was able to start reading fairly fast. She has straight A’s and has a natural ability to lead. Mackenzie is also a natural nurturer. She loves to help take care of her baby sister and she can get Marlie to giggle faster than anyone. Mackenzie is also an artist. This talent comes easy and she has the most beautiful handwriting. -------- CALIN turned four in February. He had a rough year, but came out on top proving his resilience. Calin is so determined to always be on the go, he didn’t let a full body cast and a broken femur stop him. He quickly learned how to maneuver the wheel chair or crawl and then walk in his cast. He healed fast and now has no signs of ever have been on the injured reserve list. Calin has a soft heart and always has a hug to give and an “I love you” to say. He has learned a lot and is doing well in Preschool. He enjoys his friends and displaying his projects or giving them to family. His new favorite thing to do is to break dance. He’s always smiling and can’t wait to wrestle his dad and to show him his muscles. -------- CAMPBELL turned two in February and is a sweet girl that is always helping. She’ll do anything she is asked and has to do it by herself. I can get so frustrated with her because she does things that are way too advanced for a two year old, but she seems to manage. She surprises me every day. Her vocabulary has finally become clear and she can express herself with words. Campbell is fearless. You will often find her climbing; exploring, running and will always end on top. She always works hard doing what she needs to do to get what she wants. Campbell is also an artist and isn’t shy using the walls as her canvas. -------- MARLIE was born fast and healthy the last day of April. Josh got to do the WHOLE delivery, so it was a sweet bonding moment for daddy and daughter. She is such a perfect baby. She hardly cries and is 99% content all day long. Marlie has a Daddy face so she’s a comfort with him being gone. She hasn’t officially started to crawl because she is too busy pulling herself up on the furniture and climbing the stairs. I have a feeling she’ll go straight to walking. She has a beautiful smile and her cheerfulness is contagious. We are so blessed that she has chosen our family. -------- With all our trials and adventures, we have been uplifted and we prevailed due to our faith. We feel that the Lord has given us these trials to strengthen us and we are better because of it. We are ready for anything that comes our way. This season as our family is separated to both sides of the world, we are strengthened through the gospel and our testimony of Jesus Christ. We know that it was Christ that carried us through our hard times, and it’s through his love that we have the benefit of enjoying good times. May we all seek the Lord as the Wise Men and rejoice in our journey. ***** MERRY CHRISTMAS! *****