A Sweet Picnic

It was Michael's last day with us before he had to go back over seas, we wanted it to be a special day for the kids so we surprised them with a picnic. It was one of the best moments we have had as a family just enjoying each others company, not thinking about anything except being together. I love my family and I feel completely blessed to have them.

We brought along a kite to fly and play with. Of course it turned into who could fly the kite better,and I won as usual. lol.

After the picnic we stopped to pet some horses. They were so sweet and soft.

My Boys

It took no time for my two boys to get back to their old ways of being together.

Payton is such a different kid when daddy is home. He is just so happy and joyful. I can't wait for Michael to be home for good so our lives can go back to the way it was, for our lives to be happy and full again.

Fun at the Zoo

We took the kids to the zoo on water day. It was a lot of fun for the whole family.

My man looking cute as always!

Madison and Payton playing in the water provided by a fire truck. It was a warm day and the water felt really good to all of us.

Our little Maddy.

The loves of my life enjoying the Zoo.

The gray flamingos are babies, that were so small. They were so cute and fluffy.

Payton and daddy

A little mommy and daddy time, its my favorite time.

Two Weeks of Heaven

Michael had finally gotten his R&R time with us and it had been the best, most perfect two weeks I could of ever asked for. It was such a great feeling to have my family back together. Or as Payton would say, our family puzzle is put together again to make a whole.

I had forgotten how nice it is to have your best friend with you all the time. I miss having my other half with me to share special moments or funny stories with. My world is complete with Michael here.

The kids had no idea that their daddy was home as they walked through the front door. They were both so happy to have daddy home. I don't think they left his side the whole two weeks.

Where Did Summer Go????

I can't believe summer is already over and we go back to school in two days! Where did the time go? This summer has been much different then the past few we've had. We didn't spend the whole summer in California and when we came home Michael wasn't here to enjoy our new adventures or enjoy the activities we do every summer.

I choose to combine all the activities in one blog.

This summer Payton made homemade lemonade in California and made us all pay him to get some. Very clever little boy I have and it was yummy lemonade worth every quarter. Then Maddy wanted money too, so she made popcorn and sold it to us. Both of them made out with lots of money.

My two little fish really grew to love swimming this summer. They both learned how to swim under water and hold their breathes. Next year will be even more fun for them now that they can swim on their own.

While in California we made sure we stopped by Grandma Butler's house. Madison and Payton loved how much stuff grandma had in her house. It was like a museum as Payton would say. I was very happy that the kids got to spend time with their great grandma as well as myself. I love just being with grandma and catching up on everything.

We couldn't visit California without going to the beach a couple of times. It's always so peaceful when we go. It calms all of us and we just have a great time. The kids got to camping with their Bumpa again and this year I actually didn't stay the night. Over all we all agreed that we want to live at the beach, lol.

Vegas was a lot of fun this year again with the family. The first night we got there my sister Megan and I were able to get into a private concert with Bruno Mars playing 25 feet away from us. I won $190 dollars the first night and helped my dad win $50. Spending time with my sisters and my brother was really fun at the pool and going out at night was a lot of fun too. Next family trip will be fun with Michael coming and us going somewhere new.

One of the joys of going home this summer was that the kids got to meet their two new cousins. I forgot how much fun it was to have little children around all the time. Just playing and laughing with each other. We are very sad that we don't get to live near each other and have the kids grow up together. Hopefully one day we will all live near each other and enjoy days like that all the time.

This year we came home to KS for the 4th of July. It was a very hot dry day so we had to take lots of breaks at the carnival. Actually at one point of the day it was so hot that I took the kids down the street to the movie theater and we watched Cars2. We had a great night playing outside and then this momma even did her own fireworks and the kids loved it! Not the same as being in California or having Michael here but we made it work.

Payton got something exciting happen to him this summer. He got glasses!!!!! Madison went into the doctors to get her eye checked out and the nurse was nice enough to let Payton play along. With allowing him to do the test they discovered Payton is far sided. We went right away and got him some really cute glasses and he seems to really like them. Payton looks good in anything. This will also help him in school and will help him be even smarter then he is now.

This summer in Kansas seemed like the hottest summer we have ever had. It had reached 130 outside one day with the heat index. Most days it was way to hot to even go out swimming. The poor kids had to play outside only in the mornings and late afternoons. Luckily we live on a army base and we don't have to pay for our ac that was on all day and night. I felt really bad using that much energy everyday but it was just too hot not to use our ac. Now that its mid August hopefully it will start to cool down and we can enjoy our last days of summer outside.

Payton is such a sweet, funny, kind, little man that I can't get enough of. Every day he is looking ore and more like his dad. And he says such funny things. He's my sunshine who can always make me smile even when I'm having a bad day. I love my little guy and i hope he never changes.

A STAR IS BORN

Madison has been taking ballet for the last year and it was finally recital time. She was so excited to have us come see her on a stage in front of every body. When we actually got there that morning to do a run through, Maddy was a little shocked to see how big the stage really was. She did such a great job and we are all so proud of our little ballerina.

Madison turns 6

Wow where did the time go? Our baby girl is growing up faster then we want. I can't believe she is 6 now. She has turned into everything Michael and I could of ever asked for in our little girl.


She loved her coconuts and grass skirt, hahaha

My little princess

Madison loves Justin Bieber so her daddy got her the barbie doll of him that sings. She was so excited!!!!!

Every body eating their pizza and enjoying the party.

Payton was alittle upset he only had two more tokens left.

Maddy's a first grader now!!!!!!

Where did our little girl go? I can't believe she is now in first grade.


I think Madison still looks like my baby in these photos. It was a cute surprise that the children took these pictures for thier parents and made the frames.

Madison was so happy and proud of herself.



My little princess with her cap on and her huge smile on her face.

It's about time!!!

Yes I know it has been many months since my
last blog, but I'm ready to make up for some lost time and start blogging again.

The last five months have been so hard on me and I'm still trying to figure out why. This is Michael's second deployment and living the army life style we are use to being apart. So I'm not sure why I'm still feeling lost and empty. I feel like I have lost my best friend, and I cant get over the sadness I feel for Michael and our children.
It was so different the first time Michael deployed, the kids were so young and had no clue where daddy was. They actually thought he lived in the computer and to be honest it was much easier. The days seemed like they went by faster and before I knew it, it was time for Michael to be home. But this time is completely different. Madison and Payton both know where their daddy is and what he is doing. Not because we told them but because they go to a school with other military children who talk. Where Michael is, there isn't much communication and seeing him over skype is far and few.

The worst part for me as a wife and a mother is seeing my family hurt. When Payton comes to me crying because he's had another nightmare about his daddy, or Maddy who cries just because she misses her so daddy so much. And when I see the pain in Michael's face from missing us, I don't know what to do. I pray everyday I could take all of their pains away from them and I wish I can stop the hurt but I cant and I hate that feeling. I'm trying everything in my power to make everything ok for everyone and I just keep saying a couple more months but my words aren't enough.

We are so proud of Michael and what he does. I don't want anyone to think for a second that I'm not supporting my husband or his job because I am, I just want my Michael home and safe with his family. I wish I was stronger emotionally for Michael. I'm trying my best but its really hard to be a single parent and do the job of a mommy and a daddy. And on top of that,take care of everything around the house and the car. I have to keep our life running as if Michael was here.Its alot of stress to handle. I worry all the time about Michael's safety, and everyday I think it could be the day I get that knock at my door and that would be the end of my world. I try to block that thought as much as I can because I know that Michael and I are going to grow old together and watch our children grow up and have their own children. I just wish he didn't have to be gone for a year.

I love my family and I know that this is part of our life and we will get through this. We will even be stronger because of all of it. I hope it starts to go by faster.