tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26858205465391776692024-02-18T23:14:40.209-05:00Kevin & Hope...Love, Life,& Family in the Navy.Marriage is hard, and when you throw the Navy in the mix it gets harder. These are my daily thoughts as I live as a single parent from time to time.Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-74039761221039972212010-02-19T10:28:00.005-05:002010-02-19T10:52:55.091-05:00A Great Loss...<div align="center"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN68BP7y6R_kK9noyDwR4F2aJGegT1g0w1xvo2UP5YMo2UWi-TMF5Z9Dcb89zYeEkX9ZkDSsJg5IjjaiT0fhNTbFXs3kW7-k0n4wowVJSG1GQwL7501_-4u7VrfL7l9zqUtj7DMgJPvgF/s1600-h/scan0001.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439977358334393874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigN68BP7y6R_kK9noyDwR4F2aJGegT1g0w1xvo2UP5YMo2UWi-TMF5Z9Dcb89zYeEkX9ZkDSsJg5IjjaiT0fhNTbFXs3kW7-k0n4wowVJSG1GQwL7501_-4u7VrfL7l9zqUtj7DMgJPvgF/s320/scan0001.jpg" /></a><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Yesterday, I lost my precious grandfather to a very aggressive brain tumor that we didn't even know he had until this past December. NOTHING prepares a person for this. Even though we knew we had only a few months left with him it is still SUCH a shock that he is gone. Thankfully, we went to see him last month, and we had such a great time. I have so many pictures from this visit that I will cherish forever. One of the most special things about him was that even though we aren't blood, he loved us anyway. I was 11 and my brother was five when my parents met. From the first time we met my grandparents, we were theirs. My grandfather enjoyed his new "title" from the get-go. I remember the weekends we would spend with my grandparents, and I always had such a great time with them. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gramps</span> could be very stubborn, but he was mostly sweet and could be goofy with the rest of us. One of my favorite pictures is from my wedding reception. We had a hat set up for people to pay for dances with us, and he paid to dance with MY HUSBAND! </span><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pVQaQvmD0Gb3TXAAEQkpOXVwPp9W1PcA4tFpLfSiOXm4N9UMT_lQdA6u2Y9dLMSKjwmC8B-m6g3RiXkplEbu1Sp__h_kMy7nsB21BTBLT9a3cT_kpNg3iVn01x6121DBQhWshuTQeXyU/s1600-h/scan0002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439979989232884386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pVQaQvmD0Gb3TXAAEQkpOXVwPp9W1PcA4tFpLfSiOXm4N9UMT_lQdA6u2Y9dLMSKjwmC8B-m6g3RiXkplEbu1Sp__h_kMy7nsB21BTBLT9a3cT_kpNg3iVn01x6121DBQhWshuTQeXyU/s320/scan0002.jpg" /></a></p><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">That brings up another thing about my grandfather...that man could dance!!! He taught me some old-school dancing when I was growing up. There was always music and dancing when we went to visit. There was also driving. When I was first learning to drive, he used to let me drive his little pick-up around his back yard. One time, my cousin, Mitchell and I were taking turns driving, and when it was my turn I <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">accidentally</span> backed into the barn. I thought I was in so much trouble! It didn't even phase him. I have so many wonderful memories of my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gramps</span> that I couldn't fit them in just one post. I will miss him so much, but I know that he is in a better place and is no longer suffering. I wish so much that he could have met this new baby that is coming in September. New baby will know about him. I thank God that I have all of the memories and pictures to share with her/him. He was a wonderful man, and I will love him and miss him always.</span>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-26004029932602582422010-01-26T09:48:00.002-05:002010-01-26T10:13:18.587-05:00Third Time's the Charm...<span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">This pregnancy is already so different from the first two. With my daughter, Gyllian, I was sick for six months straight, and didn't show until my fifth month. With my son, Sam, I was only sick for the first trimester (and that was only if I didn't keep food in my mouth 24/7), and started to show right at the end of my third month. With this baby, no vomiting yet, but I've already had to lose my belt! Now mind you I was already a little over weight when I got pregnant, but not to the point where I couldn't wear a belt! I asked Gyllian what she thought I was having. She sat there and thought for minute before replying, "You're having two babies!" I tell you...kids say the craziest things...I hope! :)</span>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-91245751797027953882010-01-24T07:36:00.008-05:002010-01-24T07:53:33.035-05:00The Wait is Over...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">So, I had been waiting to take a certain test, and boy were my nerves about to get the best of me. Sunday night, I couldn't sleep. I kept tossing and turning. I just wanted to close my eyes and Monday be here. Finally, the day came!!! I got up and took this certain test. I refused to look at it for quite some time, but when I did I saw this...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNRP19ciOLiWV2CkBrWWMfAa5gaYUyi0RruSXriZn-YdU-8WhlMOx37WXFIadtc5wfP15ZViMSlS4GMELMK36N1ba312eevsLuoyWj0SlnBfqh1ahxJiRcUJkkNBeoTI4RCLpPrDEvJ3A/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430284994253861698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiNRP19ciOLiWV2CkBrWWMfAa5gaYUyi0RruSXriZn-YdU-8WhlMOx37WXFIadtc5wfP15ZViMSlS4GMELMK36N1ba312eevsLuoyWj0SlnBfqh1ahxJiRcUJkkNBeoTI4RCLpPrDEvJ3A/s320/001.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">I couldn't believe it!!! After only one try, we are expecting baby number three!!! Three days later I turned the big 3-0. I don't think there could have been a better birthday present! The hubby of course was out to sea, so the kids and I celebrated together with a cake that my friend, Annie, bought for me.</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJkO79fEZX3tBEA9ELjty7c1vbmu47XT8yDPut0fFJ_Lc7fyg0HA2e92Ql0kxptICOOOpyCgtKmmRxV13JaRyXACB8JdhZrvqbMOt9Fb2Qi5NtHz8qh2uwxm2GnIRJt4Tdy4Cr9PI3kuj/s1600-h/001.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430285679089624130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoJkO79fEZX3tBEA9ELjty7c1vbmu47XT8yDPut0fFJ_Lc7fyg0HA2e92Ql0kxptICOOOpyCgtKmmRxV13JaRyXACB8JdhZrvqbMOt9Fb2Qi5NtHz8qh2uwxm2GnIRJt4Tdy4Cr9PI3kuj/s320/001.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzW2s-Jc38uDXRDa3ROYCOHQ9E68quyDwoSj9FswH-Y3IjYkNEPnSkVfWzq9DWmPAYznkFIAxASNINHa1pf_JInaDlKLSLncwkk-0IEWmUbWSLdQ1Nau9qpQjWQJxG-ZfT0lttdqVhrts/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430285873962388722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzW2s-Jc38uDXRDa3ROYCOHQ9E68quyDwoSj9FswH-Y3IjYkNEPnSkVfWzq9DWmPAYznkFIAxASNINHa1pf_JInaDlKLSLncwkk-0IEWmUbWSLdQ1Nau9qpQjWQJxG-ZfT0lttdqVhrts/s320/002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgM3sc_njMkB4PaY1fU78Q_xg0GtLFLUsnAa4VnTtyVHR3KNq19EVkh4wIhmVksr73nm8OXCcomQqPslpsqv9V7dCsU9rjioTNLBK6mhyphenhyphenHsHJzR0glylesMheo6Vj10wSAoRHwRWnDvRY/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430286190257599154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgM3sc_njMkB4PaY1fU78Q_xg0GtLFLUsnAa4VnTtyVHR3KNq19EVkh4wIhmVksr73nm8OXCcomQqPslpsqv9V7dCsU9rjioTNLBK6mhyphenhyphenHsHJzR0glylesMheo6Vj10wSAoRHwRWnDvRY/s320/005.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrO9Fncjq8j8fabja8Xwb53WpTrgRi3m7PcUBNRclWIH_yPvqLsqcKaeXHcWiYFUVvMAazrhJaxShz9kvy59ER4MYqaaM621xgOfV7LvgntwflFRt-wmawuWH2jhK0cw3wlwYdW61lOBN/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430287268461776818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGrO9Fncjq8j8fabja8Xwb53WpTrgRi3m7PcUBNRclWIH_yPvqLsqcKaeXHcWiYFUVvMAazrhJaxShz9kvy59ER4MYqaaM621xgOfV7LvgntwflFRt-wmawuWH2jhK0cw3wlwYdW61lOBN/s320/007.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">It wasn't much, but it was fun! Then I figured since I was four weeks along exactly, I would get my first side view pic. I'm going to do them every month so that I can see the belly in progress. According to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gyllian</span>, I'm having TWO babies!!!</span></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWE5dJ228i0AAlt7g0QhvfErmk2T0a7vypdSoRPoES8Wp-6M-krLw3LiM8MS0mz3tVQyS95jqlGHUdoIw60hhvln8BJElKCpXR-DJSKJf8jSOcOx53Gfn7ktPc4EeiJrWn_P5sPzg2Miz/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430287978002442722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWE5dJ228i0AAlt7g0QhvfErmk2T0a7vypdSoRPoES8Wp-6M-krLw3LiM8MS0mz3tVQyS95jqlGHUdoIw60hhvln8BJElKCpXR-DJSKJf8jSOcOx53Gfn7ktPc4EeiJrWn_P5sPzg2Miz/s320/009.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Kevin returned Friday and we've been getting back into the groove of things. He won't have to go back out to sea for quite some time. Let the shopping begin!!!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzW2s-Jc38uDXRDa3ROYCOHQ9E68quyDwoSj9FswH-Y3IjYkNEPnSkVfWzq9DWmPAYznkFIAxASNINHa1pf_JInaDlKLSLncwkk-0IEWmUbWSLdQ1Nau9qpQjWQJxG-ZfT0lttdqVhrts/s1600-h/002.JPG"></a></div></div></div></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-56659348709630505732010-01-16T09:28:00.002-05:002010-01-17T08:46:42.989-05:00Waiting...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">I feel like I am always waiting. Waiting for Kevin, waiting for Gyllian, waiting in line...you get the idea. Now I am waiting for something else, and the time just drags on by. I'm trying to keep busy. I've been cleaning the house like a fiend, went to a movie last night, and today I have errands to run. I've never really been a patient person, so this is KILLING me! If only I had a time machine...</span>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-44729297769218338782010-01-13T11:41:00.003-05:002010-01-13T12:04:06.828-05:00New Year, New Dreams...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">I am so glad that 2010 is here! 2009 was a stinker!!! I have a lot of plans for 2010 that I can't wait to get into motion. Kevin will be home for most of the year so we will actually be able to fun things with the kids this summer! Although it started off bumpy, I am determined to make this year a great one! I just returned from a trip to Tennessee to visit my grandparents. Although it's circumstances weren't ideal, it was wonderful to see them. We also were able to visit my dearest friends! It was so great to see them!!! We got back Monday night, and Gyllian returned to school today. My mother traveled with us so that I wouldn't have to do it alone, and she left today. Gyllian did NOT want to get out of the car!!! I had to get out and physically remove her. I felt bad for her, but she could not afford to miss anymore school. Then it was off to Providence to drop my mom off at the airport. It's nice to back home and on schedule. We are VERY routine oriented and traveling messes us up. Now that we are home, it's time to start moving forward with my resolutions. A new year, a new...</span>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-83594566016592519182009-11-29T09:42:00.008-05:002009-11-29T20:00:30.526-05:00Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Santa...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Christmas is my favorite holiday, and out of both of my children Gyllian has inherited my love of Santa. From the time she was an infant she loved Santa Clause. I remember her second Christmas right after she turned one, we went to Rock City. When we got to Santa I was afraid she might freak out. This Santa looked really annoyed (he had a HUGE group of teenagers just come through). When it was our turn,I handed Gyllian over and she just stared at him. She couldn't take her eyes off of him. The first picture came out looking like Gyllian was whispering in his ear. It took us about five minutes of dancing around to get her to look at the camera for a split second. When it was all over, Santa told us she was the best child he had seen all day! He didn't want to give her back!!<br /></span><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpHMqPsvpV0HwVldv9lSVY-6aiVHmU-_oLOBR-btrHtVKt3T9ExRf1OIAI0Micrgvrzqsvn3jTrsdOHUKl1SgOTuwg0-aYAy66dgzFJZQ_X3hMU2f-kJkm1mJrp55MISfwokn3xgln7g7/s1600/scan0007.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 216px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409540343333167554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpHMqPsvpV0HwVldv9lSVY-6aiVHmU-_oLOBR-btrHtVKt3T9ExRf1OIAI0Micrgvrzqsvn3jTrsdOHUKl1SgOTuwg0-aYAy66dgzFJZQ_X3hMU2f-kJkm1mJrp55MISfwokn3xgln7g7/s320/scan0007.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Yes, I still believe in Santa Clause as does my grandmother. I believe in the spirit of giving...not just presents, but love and understanding. That being said...my son, Sam, HATES Santa Clause! He loves Christmas, but HATES Santa. He tolerates him at a distance, but if he has to get close to him he completely freaks out. This year I put up a 60 inch singing and dancing Santa Clause (yeah, I'm a bit obsessed). Sam is fine when it is off, but you turn it on and he bolts! Don't believe me??? Check this out...</span></div><br /><div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyfnHap5uiWINRlul1c4Ld6qAwcCyZeDYL_LJ_y0nv_u5owPfjVj0Ssi5ICltcLvfNwX1RKt6_8jAY5XdxpJw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">I know it was probably mean, but come on...you know you're laughing!</span></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-48043161740170749742009-11-27T09:33:00.005-05:002009-11-27T09:50:19.708-05:00Let the Stress Begin...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">My husband is back out to sea, and things couldn't be worse! This has been the hardest underway so far...even harder than their deployment! From the time my husband has left, my kids have turned into strangers. Sam was pretty much potty-trained, and now he has been peeing in his pants. He knows what he's supposed to do, but just hasn't done it. Gyllian has started crying at the drop of a hat. She'll be laughing and playing one minute, and crying the next. I am trying to hold on to my sanity, but it's getting harder by the day. I know it's because they miss their dad. Before the deployment they were used to their dad being gone all the time. He would be home for about a week at a time, and then be gone for 2-7 weeks at a time. They've had the past almost four months straight with him home every day, and now he's gone again. It's been hard on all of us. To take our minds off of everything we are going to decorate the house for Christmas. We are cleaning from top to bottom and putting out everything that puts us in the Christmas mood, and brings back previous Christmas' memories.</span> <div><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Christmas 2007</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHoD89tsp2IpyAJklLXZPA0BUubXxPMhUulaLtviFQLdHedz0krg8USluCnUwvrOap7Ithv7CsZbykngy711mN_hiyZQZunUKhOUkwYpCvs0c7f5gQjYHX8VqbAbmu0BK3rT74oY0U5K2/s1600/family+christmas+2007+2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408794152277734450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHoD89tsp2IpyAJklLXZPA0BUubXxPMhUulaLtviFQLdHedz0krg8USluCnUwvrOap7Ithv7CsZbykngy711mN_hiyZQZunUKhOUkwYpCvs0c7f5gQjYHX8VqbAbmu0BK3rT74oY0U5K2/s320/family+christmas+2007+2.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gvEZtn4AF0hSYiAQRdaM5xWme76lnMrUVtpAzLcbmRu_oRzPqSyfiJTAg7U2AugUlCwKdHkjVusj76kG_UEPwZKoq8_T22L8SwnYoiZzID0PHoOaKkOQf28-gMkY62SmaKW_isVk5m1i/s1600/gyllian+%26+sam+christmas+2007.jpg"></a> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Christmas 2007</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gvEZtn4AF0hSYiAQRdaM5xWme76lnMrUVtpAzLcbmRu_oRzPqSyfiJTAg7U2AugUlCwKdHkjVusj76kG_UEPwZKoq8_T22L8SwnYoiZzID0PHoOaKkOQf28-gMkY62SmaKW_isVk5m1i/s1600/gyllian+%26+sam+christmas+2007.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408794597709814114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9gvEZtn4AF0hSYiAQRdaM5xWme76lnMrUVtpAzLcbmRu_oRzPqSyfiJTAg7U2AugUlCwKdHkjVusj76kG_UEPwZKoq8_T22L8SwnYoiZzID0PHoOaKkOQf28-gMkY62SmaKW_isVk5m1i/s320/gyllian+%26+sam+christmas+2007.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#009900;">Christmas 2008</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-383GzUzhHSSV0VlO0ErytZdymtO_WeepQyNICZX_59wxbklWDfuaQPSfocKJR3sLWHpu3xPnt7REQJNhPGLhK_BbiwCi40NjAuFVDez7Pm-u9Zug5XgrAFZL_9FYQDLxQEe_l45rflsc/s1600/Christmas+2008.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-383GzUzhHSSV0VlO0ErytZdymtO_WeepQyNICZX_59wxbklWDfuaQPSfocKJR3sLWHpu3xPnt7REQJNhPGLhK_BbiwCi40NjAuFVDez7Pm-u9Zug5XgrAFZL_9FYQDLxQEe_l45rflsc/s1600/Christmas+2008.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408794765684806978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-383GzUzhHSSV0VlO0ErytZdymtO_WeepQyNICZX_59wxbklWDfuaQPSfocKJR3sLWHpu3xPnt7REQJNhPGLhK_BbiwCi40NjAuFVDez7Pm-u9Zug5XgrAFZL_9FYQDLxQEe_l45rflsc/s320/Christmas+2008.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">I know this Christmas will be great, and my hubby will be home to celebrate it with us once again.</span> </div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-52772272468628287082009-11-14T08:42:00.009-05:002009-11-14T09:18:42.853-05:00From Baby to Big Boy<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">My son, Sam has exceeded my expectations of raising a boy. When I was pregnant with him and we found out he was a boy I heard it all! "You know, boys are much harder to potty-train than girls!" "Boys develop slower than girls." Yada, yada, yada!<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdJ8IZIhOzVTWDfLhL5Cv9IHNJyK8p2l6xN8M0k9XQ8HICuUmmI_7TVtr0dtIn_4vHQ__ITSh107ArH69FVojCgZ_mxTlFygjCWNWPMkp8OA3NA8m657btpDH7F9Trq0u2liwXnz5xrlG/s1600-h/preggo+pic+3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403958397651412930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmdJ8IZIhOzVTWDfLhL5Cv9IHNJyK8p2l6xN8M0k9XQ8HICuUmmI_7TVtr0dtIn_4vHQ__ITSh107ArH69FVojCgZ_mxTlFygjCWNWPMkp8OA3NA8m657btpDH7F9Trq0u2liwXnz5xrlG/s320/preggo+pic+3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">As a baby, Sam was all snuggles and smiles! He was sweet, layed back, and super easy! He even was a great nurser! (If only my milk would have lasted longer than two months.) He was putting himself to sleep by five months, and got rid of the binky on his own by 13 months. I would wish a baby like this to everyone!</span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTmY6aenM12N4gf-CeI78BVMGigh_uJSoqQdlrllrzzaJopAz8TDsdBHjWYhDa-DQaEQ-T-d6rFwI-Dzo2ETi2NaT5XZQzTxTgfWiwOV79Dhxccl2m32l_TRUIeRAbuxOArWz5f8AMKh3/s1600-h/How+you+doin.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403959361568073298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQTmY6aenM12N4gf-CeI78BVMGigh_uJSoqQdlrllrzzaJopAz8TDsdBHjWYhDa-DQaEQ-T-d6rFwI-Dzo2ETi2NaT5XZQzTxTgfWiwOV79Dhxccl2m32l_TRUIeRAbuxOArWz5f8AMKh3/s320/How+you+doin.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjjjQJEwhTboQOHP3WHPd_06KQIOHuxPx_pUWw40wuQqgZS6BqmDJIaVA04dFTVKg6GkZscfdcSO3IAjC_wwdhXhexNBE1DSaWvEkOoS1xrge8FEahyphenhyphenafPD4fMQ_3_80EtTWBVhuxO8uV/s1600-h/happy+baby+2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403959598109271858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIjjjQJEwhTboQOHP3WHPd_06KQIOHuxPx_pUWw40wuQqgZS6BqmDJIaVA04dFTVKg6GkZscfdcSO3IAjC_wwdhXhexNBE1DSaWvEkOoS1xrge8FEahyphenhyphenafPD4fMQ_3_80EtTWBVhuxO8uV/s320/happy+baby+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Now don't get me wrong...when he hit two it was worse than terrible! It was catastrophic!!! He kept me on my toes, and that's putting it mildly. He grew a short fuse, he shaved part of his eyebrow once while I was cleaning the tub, and while his sister was taking a bath one time, he decided to jump in fully clothed! I'm telling ya, I wanted to pull my hair out!<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik109Wr-zSxpIi7-kLPKv55kJL1EGrQDTADil_QbHwY4BzEL96XSgjVFCRrm34UnjXTKCMUXh9XjIXAK5Yf4nWPce-1tk_7Ueb7411iMLQKObONIGnP4A6wa2pifirUf3EMWVMtgoKa88-/s1600-h/002+(3).JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403960507507750530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik109Wr-zSxpIi7-kLPKv55kJL1EGrQDTADil_QbHwY4BzEL96XSgjVFCRrm34UnjXTKCMUXh9XjIXAK5Yf4nWPce-1tk_7Ueb7411iMLQKObONIGnP4A6wa2pifirUf3EMWVMtgoKa88-/s320/002+(3).JPG" /></a><br /></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenboRWDIhEOUs-KibLrRgGf8nSo9UpiEqnobfhg23M-KFYGQc2NSUecCkOzroksnevfoZLXNrJqQRRBCUoqHLjdbtVz4Tur6L8o9xf56SaEUZU30yCRKnCwj-HZWC1mMXP09pVLxHo2NT/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403961206064849026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenboRWDIhEOUs-KibLrRgGf8nSo9UpiEqnobfhg23M-KFYGQc2NSUecCkOzroksnevfoZLXNrJqQRRBCUoqHLjdbtVz4Tur6L8o9xf56SaEUZU30yCRKnCwj-HZWC1mMXP09pVLxHo2NT/s320/002.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKh-F8Fuwdvc9FDEYy7gyekLZLKk6P3Ms0hxEniDhaON2WMtBnOcB82eNlPVmEOraB_BCuZ3LpSy4kPykyXwCOaR8834fDf_01AU20zs74149tB1DPkMlL7iLsL6axOgGz96O3KrhB-U4d/s1600-h/009.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403961513344615218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKh-F8Fuwdvc9FDEYy7gyekLZLKk6P3Ms0hxEniDhaON2WMtBnOcB82eNlPVmEOraB_BCuZ3LpSy4kPykyXwCOaR8834fDf_01AU20zs74149tB1DPkMlL7iLsL6axOgGz96O3KrhB-U4d/s320/009.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Even with all of the naughty things going on there is one thing that overshadows all of it! He is potty-trained! Yes, I said it! POTTY-TRAINED!!! I bought him a potty in June, and by July he was peeing in it. It took a couple of months, but eventually he started pooping in it. I went to Papoose (a natural maternity/baby store in Norwich, CT) and picked him up some "Imse Vimse" training pants. He is now a pro! He even takes them off when he has to go and puts them back on when he's done! Now what's so amazing about that is he is only two. My daughter, Gyllian wouldn't even sit on a potty until she was three and a half. So, the moral of the story is don't judge a book by what everyone else tells you! Way to go, Sam!!!</span></div></div></div></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-7057276642531458202009-11-05T10:37:00.003-05:002009-11-05T10:48:01.947-05:00Head Games...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">It's been a while since I last posted anything on here. It's been crazy hectic with Halloween to get ready for, Kevin's next departure, and on top of everything the car has failed it's emissions test! Something is wrong with our fuel sensor, and it could cost $75 to $550 to repair. On top of that, Connecticut says we owe them two years of vehicle taxes! Because my husband is in the military there is an afidavit we fill out to be exempt, but they are saying that we don't qualify! Kevin went down to the office to try and figure this out, and they don't even have any of this in their records. Talk about a major headache! All of this and my husband leave within the next few days. They were supposed to leave this past Tuesday, but now who knows when! It's hard to prepare and say your goodbyes when you don't know when your husband is leaving. It's a HUGE head game! I can handle him being gone (it's not a very long underway), but I can't handle not knowing when. I guess I shouldn't complain. I know wives who haven't seen their husbands (other than Skype) for almost seven months. Now THAT'S a head game!!!</span>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-57681895615492591822009-09-20T09:00:00.004-04:002009-09-20T09:33:07.018-04:00Ups and Downs...<div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">I never thought I would be a Navy wife. My husband talked about joining the Navy before we even got engaged. I wouldn't hear of it! The thought of him leaving me alone just did not fly with me. It would take five years for him to win me over with the idea. When he approached me one final time with the idea I was in school, pregnant with our second child, and trying to potty-train our two-year-old daughter. I could see in his eyes that he wanted to do this very badly so I agreed. In the past almost three years I have seen my husband thrive in this new career of his. I've never been more proud. With this new life comes new challenges. There came long separations, moving to a new place, and more separations. You learn that when they come home it takes some time for everyone to readjust to "a normal life". You have to get used to living with them again and vice versa. You get so used to doing things by yourself that when they return you have to get used to having help again. It can be a very frustrating process, but one that comes with a lot of growing and understanding. In the end you realize how strong you and your family really are, and learn to never underestimate that strength.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;"></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">With Daddy...</span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEf6Z18VrgXQknI607e6-raSSCdz6yp1RmarAJcwnWb_OhfwEO2gWdsCOactYH-oNcoNgeOgjNLj4L4aFAqnyrTbdlhDAL1jsriE3qbBOgvRQQpS-qs9nbDlyn3KkJI4kLXjtepfZ2fIp/s1600-h/family+2009.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 261px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383541251708402210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheEf6Z18VrgXQknI607e6-raSSCdz6yp1RmarAJcwnWb_OhfwEO2gWdsCOactYH-oNcoNgeOgjNLj4L4aFAqnyrTbdlhDAL1jsriE3qbBOgvRQQpS-qs9nbDlyn3KkJI4kLXjtepfZ2fIp/s320/family+2009.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwONP4du30BmuUP56VTlSmT2crdSKDAYnsGW8k9dBfwvH2a8e1sEoOPei7mp_I0Wx7Y96KGSfHUBkwq1GTXsl5mIwJJAPBnzvt5r2E8k_KXTFCu5JNQA7eyO10xf1zoXb3L8hWrtqnZJR/s1600-h/family.JPG"></a> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Without Daddy...</span></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwONP4du30BmuUP56VTlSmT2crdSKDAYnsGW8k9dBfwvH2a8e1sEoOPei7mp_I0Wx7Y96KGSfHUBkwq1GTXsl5mIwJJAPBnzvt5r2E8k_KXTFCu5JNQA7eyO10xf1zoXb3L8hWrtqnZJR/s1600-h/family.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383541576596004866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwONP4du30BmuUP56VTlSmT2crdSKDAYnsGW8k9dBfwvH2a8e1sEoOPei7mp_I0Wx7Y96KGSfHUBkwq1GTXsl5mIwJJAPBnzvt5r2E8k_KXTFCu5JNQA7eyO10xf1zoXb3L8hWrtqnZJR/s320/family.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSwONP4du30BmuUP56VTlSmT2crdSKDAYnsGW8k9dBfwvH2a8e1sEoOPei7mp_I0Wx7Y96KGSfHUBkwq1GTXsl5mIwJJAPBnzvt5r2E8k_KXTFCu5JNQA7eyO10xf1zoXb3L8hWrtqnZJR/s1600-h/family.JPG"></a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff6600;">Whatever the situation...we are and will always be a family.</span></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-35032320665181355882009-08-28T10:18:00.010-04:002009-08-28T10:44:05.194-04:00Never believed in "terrible-twos" until now...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Before Kevin came home, I imagined that once he did return I would be invisible to Sam. I figured that once daddy came home all Sam would want to do is hang out with him. BOY WAS I WRONG!!! He clung to me even more! Not only has he become clingy, screaming is his permenant volume and temper tantrums are his new conversations. Gyllian never went through this so it's all new to me. My sweet, cuddly baby boy has turned into this loud, almost-unmanageable two-year-old child that is almost a stranger to me.</span> <br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_4RFYUewYUOxoVqXMV23MCV1CwSq6-USykL7K7Tqxh-3a1gMNYc3EAQvMvmsh8qtzFzO6HLzVX_2tBaAyoNGSSXBIP77p_0fUN1gAFnuA4MUuenYx285Te0hNJaJ_6-NsGM3NBVZj0T1/s1600-h/chubby+baby.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375021197411522674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD_4RFYUewYUOxoVqXMV23MCV1CwSq6-USykL7K7Tqxh-3a1gMNYc3EAQvMvmsh8qtzFzO6HLzVX_2tBaAyoNGSSXBIP77p_0fUN1gAFnuA4MUuenYx285Te0hNJaJ_6-NsGM3NBVZj0T1/s320/chubby+baby.jpg" /></a><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8dgNKeqq3_86kwA5JAAPoodlv4NtsYtdqO0MSGxu9TWfJoKSnn2FJ2waL-VTnrJJ3kG6lCfdFoQzmZ4jH-7OpcD7eHEjwolkpsJWkImqRptMS_OfmaOng_jrsMQvFtV73T1vMfY7b1t5/s1600-h/cutie+pie.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375021399649177106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8dgNKeqq3_86kwA5JAAPoodlv4NtsYtdqO0MSGxu9TWfJoKSnn2FJ2waL-VTnrJJ3kG6lCfdFoQzmZ4jH-7OpcD7eHEjwolkpsJWkImqRptMS_OfmaOng_jrsMQvFtV73T1vMfY7b1t5/s320/cutie+pie.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxedeISRwDKmiQ9yY8gAYsrIj-fLkHbFDsSYkpm1D2lh5IWb8k6SOOSCSlyHf_5H-gzdUX2DjXhqbcZKZOmWBGlGLhFEhsYCdVvjVG-dVSrb5HP-xVA_yXjd37Blf63lWw8ANDy3IPac6/s1600-h/goofing+off+with+mommy.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375021602984975298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibxedeISRwDKmiQ9yY8gAYsrIj-fLkHbFDsSYkpm1D2lh5IWb8k6SOOSCSlyHf_5H-gzdUX2DjXhqbcZKZOmWBGlGLhFEhsYCdVvjVG-dVSrb5HP-xVA_yXjd37Blf63lWw8ANDy3IPac6/s320/goofing+off+with+mommy.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LOpDVdLfErC2JZNJB6VgRi3bKEx36ifsOpEwcAJHHqun_0XRL2_49WTOC0943vimWaJ6g1otbJKtuV04esXFDKBghZ92JWxSSBvRcvXTCi8ECLmbu4y6v3cnFINcVZN4kJmPX940m0Kv/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375021923730858738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LOpDVdLfErC2JZNJB6VgRi3bKEx36ifsOpEwcAJHHqun_0XRL2_49WTOC0943vimWaJ6g1otbJKtuV04esXFDKBghZ92JWxSSBvRcvXTCi8ECLmbu4y6v3cnFINcVZN4kJmPX940m0Kv/s320/002.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqI0sAbcTgaSj9HozGycf8XolNFaej_yENd6SrwFM9c9F5mLGH0mKoeZciCFzMHDR5uJEalbr0B24k2w_N1a55epHOF8OZ8_CXVW8gDZGASkPWM2TuFlI2NDGjF8hLdDVY_pjG4mHmJtq/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375022157280205346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaqI0sAbcTgaSj9HozGycf8XolNFaej_yENd6SrwFM9c9F5mLGH0mKoeZciCFzMHDR5uJEalbr0B24k2w_N1a55epHOF8OZ8_CXVW8gDZGASkPWM2TuFlI2NDGjF8hLdDVY_pjG4mHmJtq/s320/028.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljwcyxOnFHdoQdXf-Tz3RG4N2lFw6tOTSl7Nl6-eIZR83YauExknvIj18kmbkQmK6PLM26S9XO_ml8qu3kTfokmk36yIke93hTSq-mOp5ivInKJgdfnuF0GFBBKTFpqvn4nSnb-ai8Vvj/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375022550958764658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiljwcyxOnFHdoQdXf-Tz3RG4N2lFw6tOTSl7Nl6-eIZR83YauExknvIj18kmbkQmK6PLM26S9XO_ml8qu3kTfokmk36yIke93hTSq-mOp5ivInKJgdfnuF0GFBBKTFpqvn4nSnb-ai8Vvj/s320/012.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">And on top of it all...he does not want to eat! I understand it is a phase that most two-year-olds go through, but Kevin is almost at his wits end. He can't understand why Sam, who used to eat anything and everything, doesn't want to eat most everything. I just take a deep breath and remind myself that this, too, shall pass. Now don't get me wrong, even with all of his tantrums and shrieks, I am still absolutely in love with my son. He still gives me those cute little looks that can, almost, charm his way out of trouble.</span><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp_LqSHw8YmHXEXmBPx81hWIdaM45JBmRlBTLYWB3vWVJvs_rMTL8tjBHFTWevELoQP60FAlEBB19NCVbeWACYJfQThB6l9b8MLYTvHXyJd2HA0SpVZF8CzDfBgvGJZo4rjEmAFhRRE_7/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375023784673452690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDp_LqSHw8YmHXEXmBPx81hWIdaM45JBmRlBTLYWB3vWVJvs_rMTL8tjBHFTWevELoQP60FAlEBB19NCVbeWACYJfQThB6l9b8MLYTvHXyJd2HA0SpVZF8CzDfBgvGJZo4rjEmAFhRRE_7/s320/003.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WJfRLA_DCMHrJNhnwiOPaESCu8q6fUHjvkEvROIUvDVb5xlnxNFR__EwuPO-5QhG4JjA88p9cuByLtcb7Kjcx4GGJq3yj75f3x8lLs7ypGAuBkazhCQFJXSm_kScQoRpr5YpZbdZ9wMv/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375024244228428178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0WJfRLA_DCMHrJNhnwiOPaESCu8q6fUHjvkEvROIUvDVb5xlnxNFR__EwuPO-5QhG4JjA88p9cuByLtcb7Kjcx4GGJq3yj75f3x8lLs7ypGAuBkazhCQFJXSm_kScQoRpr5YpZbdZ9wMv/s320/014.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">I guess all I can do now is hope that three is better, that he'll just wake up one morning and be my little snuggly boy again. Not that I expect that, but a girl can hope!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-87725838345530566802009-08-09T08:37:00.010-04:002009-08-09T09:04:00.502-04:00Getting back into the swing of things...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">So Kevin has been home for a couple of weeks now, and we are just now starting to get readjusted. When Kevin leaves for longer periods of time, the kids and I have to adjust to life without daddy. My brain goes on auto-pilot, and I try to keep them too busy to be sad (which only works for a while). Then when Kevin comes home we have to readjust to having daddy around. I get so used to doing things on my own and in my own way that when he's here and tries to do it his way, it frustrates the crap out of me!!! The whole process take a few weeks. It has been nice though. We had to take Gyllian to a pediatric pulmonologist, and I didn't have to drive! : ) It was nice having my other half with me when they confirmed she had asthma, and on top of that she has reflux. It's always difficult (for him and me) to send that type of information to him by email. Moving on...<br /><br /></span><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">We have had a lot of fun the past few weeks. We've been to the beach...</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7y3q3o-1T2RD-WEP5LFBWY8oacb9Fw5qRZ5Gg2c0jauulpSBtfr0KZBRjSkPz-S4FFsztpna8u3-sU7DbVeV2umOv9Ydg2JQXDLEGneONbbhb6B2XV5ylBE81lsty-EUJqJDy-r5TdXP/s1600-h/005.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367945589084990098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7y3q3o-1T2RD-WEP5LFBWY8oacb9Fw5qRZ5Gg2c0jauulpSBtfr0KZBRjSkPz-S4FFsztpna8u3-sU7DbVeV2umOv9Ydg2JQXDLEGneONbbhb6B2XV5ylBE81lsty-EUJqJDy-r5TdXP/s320/005.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P_bdsyLTuDsTPNGjYl8PH6TsUj4OYiUDe-PDOzLWpn1r5E1hNWJn9A5Sjubl0m6xgThkp7A3RxaTRc3aoB-gzWdnkgCymLsnOD4Z3vMEDrBdQIDeYcgDpFHxB9P4lZh14-00LGi96l5B/s1600-h/010.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367945796137602386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P_bdsyLTuDsTPNGjYl8PH6TsUj4OYiUDe-PDOzLWpn1r5E1hNWJn9A5Sjubl0m6xgThkp7A3RxaTRc3aoB-gzWdnkgCymLsnOD4Z3vMEDrBdQIDeYcgDpFHxB9P4lZh14-00LGi96l5B/s320/010.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">We have gone to Mystic Village...</span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzq9d1PfpjhTLwWPiJSDEirMkIRtJwDdVTYvPw4oS31q20bqmL7agUpscrIlRZkqIQSwGSSeVTXY5CDcoJ6-x1vRBJXINa0cAz1KNUJnQ1QS_-sdypvUEA3Kw_2cErgzaWJ1tr4rg4PhQ/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367946179033047282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzq9d1PfpjhTLwWPiJSDEirMkIRtJwDdVTYvPw4oS31q20bqmL7agUpscrIlRZkqIQSwGSSeVTXY5CDcoJ6-x1vRBJXINa0cAz1KNUJnQ1QS_-sdypvUEA3Kw_2cErgzaWJ1tr4rg4PhQ/s320/021.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQJGC7WUIaEl-LeoEBhPtqgjN1OLfTxfQSXGlad3fZcZW5ABmcpN3Oh7quWOgiqVMCIqJouiGtPTP3fxmwpMxk8ZWjAqfrKT9QflOse200qDyhT1SpWT24JR9EqDh3hpdcsy5mNt12zFE/s1600-h/037.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367946660110771602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQJGC7WUIaEl-LeoEBhPtqgjN1OLfTxfQSXGlad3fZcZW5ABmcpN3Oh7quWOgiqVMCIqJouiGtPTP3fxmwpMxk8ZWjAqfrKT9QflOse200qDyhT1SpWT24JR9EqDh3hpdcsy5mNt12zFE/s320/037.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg089FyNIBuwFqZnX34w2kSCXbVlGKfEFf_SAGB_qwnFbCMRLMvOckarEpHL0yUe6_pJiHb5hjgDcC8nip42HvV8r5eHZ7V30nyTTF45uAAeX90_SZBy9QxQARQJULcywShqtMkSGoo46tn/s1600-h/038.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367947061228073442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg089FyNIBuwFqZnX34w2kSCXbVlGKfEFf_SAGB_qwnFbCMRLMvOckarEpHL0yUe6_pJiHb5hjgDcC8nip42HvV8r5eHZ7V30nyTTF45uAAeX90_SZBy9QxQARQJULcywShqtMkSGoo46tn/s320/038.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">We've even been to the pool (the one I vowed never to take them to until their daddy returned!)...<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBIhYKiELwZMMEpqpnnrmck70BeVhjNHLbYIdZgu-mlAVX-WR-s2OKdTmEejaKITWZNH93u_Ty7kR7zCs0p-T0igKOS6JntLb-yMoDV0a1W6UtsaAwYSqIQUHBHOSYBgh05CG8SjVYSbt/s1600-h/014.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367947652752393522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBIhYKiELwZMMEpqpnnrmck70BeVhjNHLbYIdZgu-mlAVX-WR-s2OKdTmEejaKITWZNH93u_Ty7kR7zCs0p-T0igKOS6JntLb-yMoDV0a1W6UtsaAwYSqIQUHBHOSYBgh05CG8SjVYSbt/s320/014.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC3ny8-tYUX2cHBKFVPQ8uqKvfPGn8kxZhNsPTqyAAzjZJRiU9GxWtFyeiys8GB5xGrKy5gXvMg5808uPGGNbhdQYDKdzImHhSm8DrXSIyw9GepqMOeF9E3l_ACbI3FMug9KqW5JkZnh9/s1600-h/025.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 242px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367947847117804898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtC3ny8-tYUX2cHBKFVPQ8uqKvfPGn8kxZhNsPTqyAAzjZJRiU9GxWtFyeiys8GB5xGrKy5gXvMg5808uPGGNbhdQYDKdzImHhSm8DrXSIyw9GepqMOeF9E3l_ACbI3FMug9KqW5JkZnh9/s320/025.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">So needless to say, we have had a lot of fun. Soon, daddy goes back to work and we have to get back into the daily grind. It's better than him being away, though. : )</span></div></div></div></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-68245237643267907192009-07-26T08:46:00.004-04:002009-07-26T08:50:57.284-04:00He's Home!!!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">At last! Kevin is home!!! It was a wonderful homecoming! I don't think I can put into words just how wonderful!!! But I think <em>this</em> just might say it all...</span> <div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk6wcIME3vPdMom2TDYDjx8PM5TYzq-fxOK8rGbKtFbxzlxLNWtOj41tt139bdHR4SrhfNkLI5SBUUcabf5n7dJqr9ZyjInPLijQ9D3BmNewofJk_5odIg8D8UMUJ5Fq2_GvYy0kDtm0b/s1600-h/035.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362749766530912402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYk6wcIME3vPdMom2TDYDjx8PM5TYzq-fxOK8rGbKtFbxzlxLNWtOj41tt139bdHR4SrhfNkLI5SBUUcabf5n7dJqr9ZyjInPLijQ9D3BmNewofJk_5odIg8D8UMUJ5Fq2_GvYy0kDtm0b/s320/035.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaMbeUU6yznlFenn5_W4KjOaRkNj6o_z3IlmpcEBYwfNEma-9Q54jQbOpbeOwhG6tXyovPFQa_z_cYpCJATb7WN5E1xYhxIGLj5Jc35SoqR27kjKpDiYgBprATn1P5BAHhz_TMkgJcOXn/s1600-h/036.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362749942429387362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaMbeUU6yznlFenn5_W4KjOaRkNj6o_z3IlmpcEBYwfNEma-9Q54jQbOpbeOwhG6tXyovPFQa_z_cYpCJATb7WN5E1xYhxIGLj5Jc35SoqR27kjKpDiYgBprATn1P5BAHhz_TMkgJcOXn/s320/036.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9EX6Hcx7yzBWL7Pz8LpSnvOmLH6_CsJCFU06_z4rm9lixM0GuB4YcC6OGsdrn3sRvK6Oje4GuiRb_SMo477FxqiXoL39LBA-zsOG7BnjmTfR9U6cHicCWj7IhyxQ5WxHHsms0RWVF_kD/s1600-h/037.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362750125924624050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn9EX6Hcx7yzBWL7Pz8LpSnvOmLH6_CsJCFU06_z4rm9lixM0GuB4YcC6OGsdrn3sRvK6Oje4GuiRb_SMo477FxqiXoL39LBA-zsOG7BnjmTfR9U6cHicCWj7IhyxQ5WxHHsms0RWVF_kD/s320/037.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Like I said, NO WORDS! : )</span></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-54761764117446245082009-07-21T16:21:00.002-04:002009-07-21T16:24:30.411-04:00It's Been A While...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Sorry it's been so long since I've written. It's just that I have been so busy the last few weeks getting ready for the return of the hubby. On top of that, my mother, grandmother, and grandfather are coming today! It's been so hectic around here. Once all the hooplah wears off, I will write again. Until then...<br /></span><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHjGevGtfg0hSWkW8ut4SFGm7B9duk-7W4hOhBTML6VGBeHDbMJZea07ahOeOBK3ou3K5Cc-bxylY46XFUCfG46yusqF58PFeG8s65dJRug9dEH1R7MoEyqO0O7y1zwL3gGp9hdunmdFu/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361011722695081394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHjGevGtfg0hSWkW8ut4SFGm7B9duk-7W4hOhBTML6VGBeHDbMJZea07ahOeOBK3ou3K5Cc-bxylY46XFUCfG46yusqF58PFeG8s65dJRug9dEH1R7MoEyqO0O7y1zwL3gGp9hdunmdFu/s320/012.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-92201049783958371072009-07-02T09:20:00.009-04:002009-07-02T10:33:55.811-04:00The Past Few Weeks...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">It's been crazy hectic around here lately. I have been participating with the FRG (Family Readiness Group) a lot, and it's been loads of fun. We've been preparing for our husbands' homecoming and it's really coming along. I ordered a "Welcome Home" banner for Kevin, and it arrived Monday. I am so excited! I have so many surprises instore for him. Moving on...<br /><br /></span><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Gyllian has been back to the doctor yet again for her coughing. This time we found a doctor who actually cares about what's going on. He asked a ton of questions, took his time with her, and ordered blood tests to double check for allergies. The allergist did a scratch test back in March, but she was on Singulair and it could have caused a false negative. </span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngnXBam3hg0zD6Hunk_XPAb-PdJtMHMhLqkTGkkf8-nbP63MWVUi9xaAhK0LNUrbnO_9hNaPvtqm15td8MPp8RQ4LIg7ciNH5PsZduj4qJKpC6pvz-48exyYH1-rGZNwsgQ7YIQgpuvED/s1600-h/001.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353856034373194178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjngnXBam3hg0zD6Hunk_XPAb-PdJtMHMhLqkTGkkf8-nbP63MWVUi9xaAhK0LNUrbnO_9hNaPvtqm15td8MPp8RQ4LIg7ciNH5PsZduj4qJKpC6pvz-48exyYH1-rGZNwsgQ7YIQgpuvED/s320/001.jpg" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">We went back Tuesday and the blood tests were negative for allergies. That did not satisfiy the doctor. He has referred her to a Pulminologist to have her lungs tested. I am so happy to have found this doctor! It is so frustrating to keep going to different doctors only to be dismissed. We will finally once and for all find out what is going on after a year of dealing with this.</span></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Monday we went to the Splash park and had a blast! Gyllian and Sam played for hours. For some reason, Sam was a little clingy to me. I think Kevin being gone so long is really messing with him. I think Sam is afraid that if I leave him even for a minute, I won't come back. It's so hard to explain to a two-year-old that daddy is coming back, and that I am not going to leave him forever. As I was laying out in the sun, I felt Sam climb on to my chair and laid his head on my butt. It was rather funny. </span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAOGu6SldOTL_QKRRoAh5F4H6NY_PdsI0_3khNCLE5PcTXKbJIYkywc_GmCSo1pidjYNDovyssU7HjfJsk35jn5oCpDT0jxLmmiDKi_0ApOA7Rg3s4gf2zNV3lmvy0bTmy3xQ5SjH31jI/s1600-h/032.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353857427737205538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqAOGu6SldOTL_QKRRoAh5F4H6NY_PdsI0_3khNCLE5PcTXKbJIYkywc_GmCSo1pidjYNDovyssU7HjfJsk35jn5oCpDT0jxLmmiDKi_0ApOA7Rg3s4gf2zNV3lmvy0bTmy3xQ5SjH31jI/s320/032.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZJTN5phmR4ERWlYnAEiYxUpVEPKj9dEDoUD51t9EmPq-O4-Dhd7OFIYNRucJLDAhJZfexB0TaHD6iZQ68nkSFDQUkGzQSNdVB-nvebSVcXO62XLH7Jx34GskgQt4p_NYNsj8m_fjYNj3/s1600-h/037.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353857790727969298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZJTN5phmR4ERWlYnAEiYxUpVEPKj9dEDoUD51t9EmPq-O4-Dhd7OFIYNRucJLDAhJZfexB0TaHD6iZQ68nkSFDQUkGzQSNdVB-nvebSVcXO62XLH7Jx34GskgQt4p_NYNsj8m_fjYNj3/s320/037.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Last Thursday we went to the beach with Kristi, Kodi, Megan, and her little one, Justin. We had a blast. The kids played while we enjoyed partially sunny skies.<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVQhFeRDMJFJUeH5_PIWE15SQqwlH6zetiYiyQmE6CRoEPwXV7JGyA9oHqpRRcnugpy0dbIfeRpE0as2buo8qbHM4Ul9JvKxuJMXRSMETPdaWAaU52xFgag0buagRR27xjbCLxQLzv4o9/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353858435412004194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVQhFeRDMJFJUeH5_PIWE15SQqwlH6zetiYiyQmE6CRoEPwXV7JGyA9oHqpRRcnugpy0dbIfeRpE0as2buo8qbHM4Ul9JvKxuJMXRSMETPdaWAaU52xFgag0buagRR27xjbCLxQLzv4o9/s320/017.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N51alM0InrhX9U4zzX4PFvVSPqFbJ7i7F1wb1_j7-PfkORuVlG3-iuyZonHmWcOVOYvYMcwAtSqHR8_8zNDYfjvNlBvmjibBMNrW4nhvo0fqXFxVZkbVyo2NTbqCp045fFE23k-IqHI9/s1600-h/018.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353858826196790498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9N51alM0InrhX9U4zzX4PFvVSPqFbJ7i7F1wb1_j7-PfkORuVlG3-iuyZonHmWcOVOYvYMcwAtSqHR8_8zNDYfjvNlBvmjibBMNrW4nhvo0fqXFxVZkbVyo2NTbqCp045fFE23k-IqHI9/s320/018.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rfU8hMx8x3yXQwUqDUiX3jjKGTurNhLpAe67ZhiZuHGN97TRW7pFgmSCKh87UaQGJ5cwZd5qou6WChOM3EZ41oF4IJipBe-F0nR6-2K8FKTDPweUToZ1qPcwFs4hjzfYOxSKgrjr1Dkl/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353859308916786498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rfU8hMx8x3yXQwUqDUiX3jjKGTurNhLpAe67ZhiZuHGN97TRW7pFgmSCKh87UaQGJ5cwZd5qou6WChOM3EZ41oF4IJipBe-F0nR6-2K8FKTDPweUToZ1qPcwFs4hjzfYOxSKgrjr1Dkl/s320/028.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Lx_CuWBKyR9-Zu2U2BPr9oBaHQyCLdEmV3UuRcBp7F42O-mopwlHMFcxDOStRkSx4mdrKcCZAqHkyd_iZojofhMfFPNzFNYLm98syDHXgCYryTWcvY9u2FRS_pFePw_9sOywQduh0aZN/s1600-h/042.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353859632126052338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Lx_CuWBKyR9-Zu2U2BPr9oBaHQyCLdEmV3UuRcBp7F42O-mopwlHMFcxDOStRkSx4mdrKcCZAqHkyd_iZojofhMfFPNzFNYLm98syDHXgCYryTWcvY9u2FRS_pFePw_9sOywQduh0aZN/s320/042.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2rfU8hMx8x3yXQwUqDUiX3jjKGTurNhLpAe67ZhiZuHGN97TRW7pFgmSCKh87UaQGJ5cwZd5qou6WChOM3EZ41oF4IJipBe-F0nR6-2K8FKTDPweUToZ1qPcwFs4hjzfYOxSKgrjr1Dkl/s1600-h/028.JPG"></a></div><br /><div></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Last night was my first night out without the kids since before Kevin left. It was much needed! I went out with my friends, Hannah and Candice, to enjoy some Olive Garden followed by the movie "The Proposal". It was a great evening. So this should catch me up for now. I am missing Kevin and can't wait for his return. Not much longer!</span></div></div></div></div></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-34141050629720014272009-06-21T12:22:00.004-04:002009-06-21T12:30:44.658-04:00Father's Day...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Just curious...Since I am playing mommy <em>and</em> daddy right now, do I get to celebrate Father's Day for myself? I would love to spoil my hubby, but seeing that he is gone and I can't even talk to him on the phone, should I celebrate it for myself? NAH!!! I celebrate Kevin!!!! Even though he isn't here right now his thoughts always are. He loves being a daddy and misses these rug-rats terribly. He is the best daddy! Gyllian told me today that she wishes daddy was home because she is tired of just being with me. I told her, "Honey, I wish daddy was here too because I'm tired of it being just me!" Kevin is protecting our wonderful country and deserves to be celebrated everyday! I love you, honey!!!!</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe00WhgavaH6MGdXOfSX4Yvht1vbLqTscDiMnySRx0SJ_UIZ9N_MmS4rHwf1BAdoCFgsGAdPIvuTN-HoqhOBvUUvu9dculvuD8HaffWOPCOoLkei7VcZiICWnv0Vo26X_O5_6hh-KCRG-/s1600-h/daddy+%26+gyllian.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818524675081154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCe00WhgavaH6MGdXOfSX4Yvht1vbLqTscDiMnySRx0SJ_UIZ9N_MmS4rHwf1BAdoCFgsGAdPIvuTN-HoqhOBvUUvu9dculvuD8HaffWOPCOoLkei7VcZiICWnv0Vo26X_O5_6hh-KCRG-/s320/daddy+%26+gyllian.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuaJn-xtBAdFWrnN1_YLNhf3cx8aGpmzgj9r4iTH1snRpbFL_DRHoxt4ozgTM8TipI4Fs79Mrozleu_dmu0jFL7nYfDjILrXxCi3wHyuSnSSumKL826rcom6MGAileVui6m5be79lV4GZ/s1600-h/daddy+kisses.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818720473175970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuaJn-xtBAdFWrnN1_YLNhf3cx8aGpmzgj9r4iTH1snRpbFL_DRHoxt4ozgTM8TipI4Fs79Mrozleu_dmu0jFL7nYfDjILrXxCi3wHyuSnSSumKL826rcom6MGAileVui6m5be79lV4GZ/s320/daddy+kisses.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDXMf24K4CvbFbs4fih27l8y7kz6ISEPbLUGc17oAMhtuyZCa97rkQxijn0emyFB2v4GxmYyIDVPJUWPD4iAKxJ90hymbCMxYVFvJTl51RltJu1KEnFUj-YYiMRQFZ9ho0_YtgrtEwtIi/s1600-h/scan0060.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 219px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349818894999707906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDXMf24K4CvbFbs4fih27l8y7kz6ISEPbLUGc17oAMhtuyZCa97rkQxijn0emyFB2v4GxmYyIDVPJUWPD4iAKxJ90hymbCMxYVFvJTl51RltJu1KEnFUj-YYiMRQFZ9ho0_YtgrtEwtIi/s320/scan0060.jpg" /></a>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-41822846229750299852009-06-18T20:13:00.010-04:002009-06-18T20:33:31.922-04:00Freedom...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Today was the last day of school for Gyllian. I have to say I am so excited! We now have the freedom to sleep in, have adventures, or just be bums. I have so many plans for us...now if only the weather would cooperate! It has been raining almost non-stop for the past two weeks, and the temperature barely makes it to 70 degrees. It's driving me crazy! Last weekend my friend, Chandra, had a wonderful get-together. Her oldest son, Alex, created a field day for the kids. Let me tell you, he had it planned to a "T". There was a scavenger hunt:</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCapIsl-b1b8rogbIs1vvir3LnAIBS1vNu77q621ePIPXPYdmNqhRyYBjWKmeUDZdHuUanwA15_MoKEqKLJKOM55Tgo1DIcZsTcNGZeBpLj7ttwmEI6vV3iXfrZUpK_Stml-cUWAo1LV0/s1600-h/029.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348826345507690210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCapIsl-b1b8rogbIs1vvir3LnAIBS1vNu77q621ePIPXPYdmNqhRyYBjWKmeUDZdHuUanwA15_MoKEqKLJKOM55Tgo1DIcZsTcNGZeBpLj7ttwmEI6vV3iXfrZUpK_Stml-cUWAo1LV0/s320/029.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">There was a game of "Drip, Drip, Drop" (kind of like "Duck, Duck, Goose", but with water). </span></div><br /><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4_xuzyqAbsLfceLaRUoP0nNRlyRxkLpRHGM4ovXNhRG6i3jIdq-7lH0l_d9CbcxCpkFSlsvvfXcnOC3nvdaEvfAdGbix68MA0crruCRqPBpEReTPNZQWC2oq1OTvuutVbU9TSwQOgElb/s1600-h/047.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348826736091234402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic4_xuzyqAbsLfceLaRUoP0nNRlyRxkLpRHGM4ovXNhRG6i3jIdq-7lH0l_d9CbcxCpkFSlsvvfXcnOC3nvdaEvfAdGbix68MA0crruCRqPBpEReTPNZQWC2oq1OTvuutVbU9TSwQOgElb/s320/047.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC-z14RDIV1QJmitfZHzAWi7vXJCZQEiA6l2SqbJmXuVFpZMCO8AnTvWUYZlg-iY-MRIYShvZkjhNyZnwejSL2_PJlYkuPpi50Np0Ug-6aTVD9Gz4ILuXw_HfQL0WyMHO34vRBWgsiUQ9/s1600-h/077.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348827002711304258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXC-z14RDIV1QJmitfZHzAWi7vXJCZQEiA6l2SqbJmXuVFpZMCO8AnTvWUYZlg-iY-MRIYShvZkjhNyZnwejSL2_PJlYkuPpi50Np0Ug-6aTVD9Gz4ILuXw_HfQL0WyMHO34vRBWgsiUQ9/s320/077.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">There was also a three-legged race:</span></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmCvMHDXKFosPdlujIHwZwEkcb7LG3EmkctD9x7Gw7k8QZt0fUkEyfDdGcid98lHFK69fIar2f_lErdDj71LzgU3Ukz9oyCKypxSZWndUr24eN_m1bG3XJ6zKDOlEGqI9MbQMz1Mmp3vf/s1600-h/086.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348827424966551890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYmCvMHDXKFosPdlujIHwZwEkcb7LG3EmkctD9x7Gw7k8QZt0fUkEyfDdGcid98lHFK69fIar2f_lErdDj71LzgU3Ukz9oyCKypxSZWndUr24eN_m1bG3XJ6zKDOlEGqI9MbQMz1Mmp3vf/s320/086.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">So many fun activities that I can't fit all of them in this blog. My children had a blast and were completely worn out. It was such a fun day! The week went on and school was wrapping up. </span></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-db9s1WuzcQ3bjksxENKF-Cm59Ze9zG0B8XKUh2Dv9ITnXhJemt2FzR4rcEl30NY66y1KTFW4MZ2QCDzJ7-Lm6wTLWqSOaONXf3ihTZ15kRCxQya8A9sfbM4rBaRJhq7dBtEjd3vrkPA/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348828168358445938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4-db9s1WuzcQ3bjksxENKF-Cm59Ze9zG0B8XKUh2Dv9ITnXhJemt2FzR4rcEl30NY66y1KTFW4MZ2QCDzJ7-Lm6wTLWqSOaONXf3ihTZ15kRCxQya8A9sfbM4rBaRJhq7dBtEjd3vrkPA/s320/007.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Today Sam and I had a playdate with some of the FRG (Family Readiness Group) moms and their children. We had a great time!<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNFaGev00nHqjsaTkcTsA1gfpGVuWV2J8qqWMtz-RHO094mQgxFsKLid_FGYigLLzIJgdlU_NyxhZgGDos49v1c6NTZjc1ATI_ZXNhMBW54X6jk-lyp9y3oJBGa-sBMApZtDrFKFlrIcw/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348828581817617250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNFaGev00nHqjsaTkcTsA1gfpGVuWV2J8qqWMtz-RHO094mQgxFsKLid_FGYigLLzIJgdlU_NyxhZgGDos49v1c6NTZjc1ATI_ZXNhMBW54X6jk-lyp9y3oJBGa-sBMApZtDrFKFlrIcw/s320/011.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHZvknNiuyA5p1MaIeEnZQqJZ2YP74HFVnHaqmuLi1joxuBzKVlY9whwDpdLaSb1kbQwmkE9VwM02Pl42aVAgierXAwAK74IF-nPcKjkk7r0NrG_GK2_0dSHNy6D5K7SkAB1H_9Xkre0q/s1600-h/030.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348829128846805586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitHZvknNiuyA5p1MaIeEnZQqJZ2YP74HFVnHaqmuLi1joxuBzKVlY9whwDpdLaSb1kbQwmkE9VwM02Pl42aVAgierXAwAK74IF-nPcKjkk7r0NrG_GK2_0dSHNy6D5K7SkAB1H_9Xkre0q/s320/030.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">We also worked on the "Welcome Home, Daddy banner". It is going to be so cute when it is finished! It feels so nice to be a part of something, and being productive. Now if only Kevin were home. I have been receiving emails on a regular basis. They really keep me going. We are making plans for when he gets back, and I'm really excited! It will be so nice to be a whole family once again!</span></div></div></div></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-38660097166138508532009-06-11T09:37:00.003-04:002009-06-11T09:46:35.867-04:00Boring...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Not much has happened in the last few days. My mouth is getting better, the house is clean, and the kids are driving me crazy (that's not unusual). It has rained non-stop for the past few days, and they are call for more! I am so sick of the rain. I am missing Kevin more and more. The nights are the hardest. It's usually after I put the kids to bed and I'm all alone. That is usually our time together to just relax or talk about our day. This weekend is going to busy, so that should make for some good posts. One of the big things that I can't wait for is one of Kevin's big bear hugs. I always feel better just from one of his hugs. Another thing is that my mom is coming to visit is July. That will be fun. But I have to say the bear hug is number one.</span> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJivSN-RkYGXgQFPQlURtRU-2ETRU-gf5MzCp8yY-rucoolHucYnueUK5ToXpY__b5UVqWUNwO7MvudUNu5eXkLWhaDjw43RcAUod5txEijC3jbPbULW7REG2A8XA9nwkksSYv227ecfj/s1600-h/093.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346065743480965090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJivSN-RkYGXgQFPQlURtRU-2ETRU-gf5MzCp8yY-rucoolHucYnueUK5ToXpY__b5UVqWUNwO7MvudUNu5eXkLWhaDjw43RcAUod5txEijC3jbPbULW7REG2A8XA9nwkksSYv227ecfj/s320/093.JPG" /></a></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-46639896348685558872009-06-08T10:35:00.006-04:002009-06-08T10:52:02.755-04:00Pain Followed by Relief<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">I haven't written in a few days, and it's all because of the severe jaw pain that I have been dealing with. My wisdom teeth need to be taken out so I'm used to having some jaw pain every once in a while. This was four straight days of excruciating jaw pain! I would have rathered gone through drug-free child birth than deal with that! So yesterday (at the urging of my friend, Hannah) I called the dentist and he had me come in. He looked and said, "Just let me pull this top wisdom tooth out and you should finally have relief. With the help of the laughing gas and mucho Novicane, the wisdom tooth was out before I knew it. Finally....Relief!!!! Of course now I look like a chipmunk.<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVssYZxcoIgh-61gaDuNtehjVElpz2UQi5iiH4iF68dxQIxCi8qbNhIdew70efkhPxRw35Z2Qwlx4KpxuuhiKFJA3yjBv2VAMpeC0zAbanLHXrsNJJj6AE8iAP61fU5sdx9KG3BTw_WGyX/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344967447586193874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVssYZxcoIgh-61gaDuNtehjVElpz2UQi5iiH4iF68dxQIxCi8qbNhIdew70efkhPxRw35Z2Qwlx4KpxuuhiKFJA3yjBv2VAMpeC0zAbanLHXrsNJJj6AE8iAP61fU5sdx9KG3BTw_WGyX/s320/014.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">And this is all I have wanted to eat:</span></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwv5SIzaTNgLz4dhD2_sCJOuzGZ-z_ojLdaZ74G6hjLPjlAf7t_xlYPxzrb7JyvLuS7HLWgXvYAb0wDyZFhohavnl-53pawTB2lEPODh3zqgWI9KeR8js-bux3G4wnBZwXEqn2CJkhgJrA/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344967716397773778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwv5SIzaTNgLz4dhD2_sCJOuzGZ-z_ojLdaZ74G6hjLPjlAf7t_xlYPxzrb7JyvLuS7HLWgXvYAb0wDyZFhohavnl-53pawTB2lEPODh3zqgWI9KeR8js-bux3G4wnBZwXEqn2CJkhgJrA/s320/016.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">It hasn't been totally terrible the past couple of days though. Friday evening I took another shot at baking brownies, and succeeded. The kids of course licked the batter.</span></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCht6R8Gi7UKb6CzFSBI3tfnPVEuWthGEvbqzqczVz5GpJyJl5Kxv0LXMRXmdqb3rXtCOC4ji9gKvPTYbcZ-iSvkcaBKMT0jx0C2tHTXPmmabE8mGL6VHqbI4hqvZOzrzduDmeqd_YKqv/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344968271443791730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCht6R8Gi7UKb6CzFSBI3tfnPVEuWthGEvbqzqczVz5GpJyJl5Kxv0LXMRXmdqb3rXtCOC4ji9gKvPTYbcZ-iSvkcaBKMT0jx0C2tHTXPmmabE8mGL6VHqbI4hqvZOzrzduDmeqd_YKqv/s320/005.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PAGlR5rNAAoeX-4LHujaulmtqPupYVh3pT5OdNmAtaE6dQ0tjmT0H4qu1D2y9Tmyb5m55kTPikHDvZghdG1_oY3UiLklU6dPVs4q36D3-4rsYQ8xi3Vz9FWYm9roGQ9OUuuKrs7rkWyz/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344968636107435106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5PAGlR5rNAAoeX-4LHujaulmtqPupYVh3pT5OdNmAtaE6dQ0tjmT0H4qu1D2y9Tmyb5m55kTPikHDvZghdG1_oY3UiLklU6dPVs4q36D3-4rsYQ8xi3Vz9FWYm9roGQ9OUuuKrs7rkWyz/s320/002.JPG" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">Another great thing is that I've been able to talk to Kevin on the phone. It was a huge surprise! He got to see another far away place, and I can't wait to see the pictures. He is back out to sea now, and it will be a while before I get to hear his voice again, but time seems to be speeding up a little bit. Before you know it...he'll be home! I can't wait!</span></div></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-61099505348473165192009-06-02T16:06:00.003-04:002009-06-02T16:16:29.456-04:00Finally...June!!!<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">So we are FINALLY out of May! Now that we are in June I'm hoping time will go by quicker. We started the month of with another loss of a tooth. Gyllian is now missing her two front teeth, and she looks so cute! What really gets me is how she lost it. She had been pulling and tugging, and even my friend Hannah came over and tried a couple of times, and it still hung on. It was literally hanging by a thread, and it still wouldn't come out! She went to bed that night very disappointed. The next morning I woke up to her telling me she lost it in her sleep and found it under her pillow. I couldn't believe it!</span> <div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZw9JyveTAAITHh1nJAUNMUAjws3O2wW_soYynjjnx9r7SFta2TZbuZXFChmWZS3tT57qynYFJCF2Id_8CeQ1XbBn5nDD-s4uvAcD2Xttqc_baKV28l3zFteb1-74UIJyORxhGFSSWVLO/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342824936390422578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZw9JyveTAAITHh1nJAUNMUAjws3O2wW_soYynjjnx9r7SFta2TZbuZXFChmWZS3tT57qynYFJCF2Id_8CeQ1XbBn5nDD-s4uvAcD2Xttqc_baKV28l3zFteb1-74UIJyORxhGFSSWVLO/s320/008.JPG" /></a></div><div> </div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">Now I have to take the kids to get their portraits done! These are the times that I really wish Kevin were home (not that I don't all the time). He has missed quite a few milestone in our lives. He missed Sam's birth (by hours), he missed Sam's first birthday, and he has missed Gyllian losing her front teeth. I know that it doesn't seem like much, but to us it's a lot, and it's definitely a lot to Kevin. </span></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"></span> </div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-45723644413968843212009-05-31T20:48:00.007-04:002009-05-31T21:03:35.680-04:00Last Post for May...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">It's been a very busy weekend. Friday, I dropped Gyllian off at school, and Sam and I headed to the mall. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I NEVER shop for myself. I will go out intending to, but I always come back with clothes for my children (it's much more fun shopping for them). That day, I was on a mission. I first went to EMS (outdoors store) and found my new favorite pair of shoes. I got the KEEN Whispers, and am absolutely in love with them. I spent more than I normally do on anything, but they are so worth it. I next made my way to Aerie and purchased some "nessessities". I then went to Old Navy and purchased four tank tops and a pair of shorts. I did buy Sam something, but it was cheap. I was so proud of myself. Saturday we got up and made plans with my friend Kristi to go to the beach. It was the first sunny day we had in a while, and we were not going to waste it. We spent about three hours there and loved every minute of it.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIA_cj2THDZiIyWufjOf-jNr8Kmgx7zVDp9Wgmw0pbTxOLb4vWar08XQoBS8wqRUQp76bhSysHuSYi0xKPOaLlWHJTMG-nFlWmH-SroK9xGUD-UQmx91c6tXVlRn0YUYDkii_4uZ7MzKv/s1600-h/075.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342156757741417410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBIA_cj2THDZiIyWufjOf-jNr8Kmgx7zVDp9Wgmw0pbTxOLb4vWar08XQoBS8wqRUQp76bhSysHuSYi0xKPOaLlWHJTMG-nFlWmH-SroK9xGUD-UQmx91c6tXVlRn0YUYDkii_4uZ7MzKv/s320/075.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHf9nYGF-Fv3tswUHDFl4xGvU6qFSVqXQsiTAY4cDaMoE5E8Bdd7gY5Vej3_bRPuNP5CeHo3UBKsKQFxaQFiE_EQcoYMYMn8pjacYjtzDKEcGNvjznhD6Ya53Z5HCvklryNET0-s_cgc4/s1600-h/073.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342156536186923570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHf9nYGF-Fv3tswUHDFl4xGvU6qFSVqXQsiTAY4cDaMoE5E8Bdd7gY5Vej3_bRPuNP5CeHo3UBKsKQFxaQFiE_EQcoYMYMn8pjacYjtzDKEcGNvjznhD6Ya53Z5HCvklryNET0-s_cgc4/s320/073.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0QjDqn5NNhyphenhyphenxJ7YxxVHy8_wjR-PallwKVG0YZtFTBaAkpTogvc40UQ_0yjFNNRSxdsMMFh7_rzlmrBH-rHwGRvLfuBlgP29DlWuZfi_1QgZdDcUL-gnHWbX3zAfGkbcrjO2Susu1ihPR/s1600-h/077.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342157156760287618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0QjDqn5NNhyphenhyphenxJ7YxxVHy8_wjR-PallwKVG0YZtFTBaAkpTogvc40UQ_0yjFNNRSxdsMMFh7_rzlmrBH-rHwGRvLfuBlgP29DlWuZfi_1QgZdDcUL-gnHWbX3zAfGkbcrjO2Susu1ihPR/s320/077.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8dSmsa24bcX8sd6qOA43Z0UoCCjpLWUMtar2DTwx2HLbu7PDZYejZ7YAwMuPaEs150E1B6rvPqoX8Do4ygETL0vU8Bbb6wc9fILgdNgRNaw_7uAqx6iDjPYABNZl8u_fj2FX-15z7xGh/s1600-h/076.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342156980075214850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh8dSmsa24bcX8sd6qOA43Z0UoCCjpLWUMtar2DTwx2HLbu7PDZYejZ7YAwMuPaEs150E1B6rvPqoX8Do4ygETL0vU8Bbb6wc9fILgdNgRNaw_7uAqx6iDjPYABNZl8u_fj2FX-15z7xGh/s320/076.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">A little while later, our friend Becky joined us.</span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHuQPrnJaWyCCzBPOR621Lrl_qtz9cFXuwZtDFwtugQ-39zhdWv5e99dEQAgmMwKCc8YJKrxqfqQ1NnkxspifbIKRp4FHwXQ0dlX1QylMmY5UhjgfgwmOqnoBmQvChKjVt-hXohLEVnSD/s1600-h/078.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342157367847231554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHuQPrnJaWyCCzBPOR621Lrl_qtz9cFXuwZtDFwtugQ-39zhdWv5e99dEQAgmMwKCc8YJKrxqfqQ1NnkxspifbIKRp4FHwXQ0dlX1QylMmY5UhjgfgwmOqnoBmQvChKjVt-hXohLEVnSD/s320/078.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">After we left the beach we went home to get ready for a birthday party at the pool. Both kids had a blast! We were utterly exhausted when we got home. A think that is a sign we had a good time. Today (Sunday) was another beautiful day. If we didn't have another birthday party we would have gone to the beach again. In a couple of weeks, Gyllian will be out of school and we can spend everyday there. It's not as fun as it would be with daddy, but we're making the best of it. I got two emails from Kevin over the weekend. One was a little worrisome, and the next one set my mind to rest. I know he is ready to come home. It's hard to be away from each other, but he is doing his job. I am so proud of him.</span> </div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-4209878876605182962009-05-26T16:10:00.013-04:002009-05-26T16:36:03.214-04:00Memorial Day Weekend...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">I know it's been a while since I last posted anything, but it's been a busy weekend. Friday was spent with my friend Stacy. We were sitting outside enjoying the sunshine when my cell phone rang. "Unknown Number", it said. I answered it and it was Kevin! I honestly did not expect him to call while he was in this far away place. It was so wonderful to finally hear his voice. We talked for about 15 minutes or so, and hang up with a big "I LOVE YOU!" That night the kiddies and I hung out at Stacy's. There was a bonfire and good conversation all around. The kids had a blast as well.<br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D3VMgOXh85u8RzF6B9RpIUSmTEv4h1KhHoJvvwQ6_EbLrghGz6n_ZULC0IKMiCkFdnnkvjwebmU72DtAokb6hlaZ8EcKh7Wl72TZVuIJnf3MpJVm7pxY2GBlTlZ3AxwENOSqQg_7pAL7/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340228803172496290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D3VMgOXh85u8RzF6B9RpIUSmTEv4h1KhHoJvvwQ6_EbLrghGz6n_ZULC0IKMiCkFdnnkvjwebmU72DtAokb6hlaZ8EcKh7Wl72TZVuIJnf3MpJVm7pxY2GBlTlZ3AxwENOSqQg_7pAL7/s320/003.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB00_ns424O29ureDgq0RYCAFQHTAz_YzOBlOYMhnpZLbhCnBh-72pReJE_Bq2XqrkiygFGmwlz4T3P5LVNrIZWERXgGnEk0nQ2nNxVQY-PF9awLF_03kkmfaXUda6EMjotdxZnDfRku_/s1600-h/016.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340228973701269810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB00_ns424O29ureDgq0RYCAFQHTAz_YzOBlOYMhnpZLbhCnBh-72pReJE_Bq2XqrkiygFGmwlz4T3P5LVNrIZWERXgGnEk0nQ2nNxVQY-PF9awLF_03kkmfaXUda6EMjotdxZnDfRku_/s320/016.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZim0MMjeXf8DV_hegaMQl67OqJUQmm-UZvnm5SJBDEqSw2LHpbPhHH28bUyPlJ4JjONlnyvL-DEh40zHgcnexMXJkgKttv8eGSkXihl6htcQk2mcbfkUNUUzw9t1kiaeD_olJAOwnahP/s1600-h/027.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340229312083881522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZim0MMjeXf8DV_hegaMQl67OqJUQmm-UZvnm5SJBDEqSw2LHpbPhHH28bUyPlJ4JjONlnyvL-DEh40zHgcnexMXJkgKttv8eGSkXihl6htcQk2mcbfkUNUUzw9t1kiaeD_olJAOwnahP/s320/027.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9zdE9Ez11hlnlyzcz1d0m1WaXKUoVLJmNT_slLtBp1gbYZ5GRloXk4rLg-6blDCdTjAQF3vAA5O8UNoOHcMCmibw0qI8JxxLopmWwah-ije8N4jm7tTFqdTIcECNtY6iqQk9nQW6Kucr/s1600-h/020.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340229159875102210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp9zdE9Ez11hlnlyzcz1d0m1WaXKUoVLJmNT_slLtBp1gbYZ5GRloXk4rLg-6blDCdTjAQF3vAA5O8UNoOHcMCmibw0qI8JxxLopmWwah-ije8N4jm7tTFqdTIcECNtY6iqQk9nQW6Kucr/s320/020.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">My kids slept so well that night. It was the first full night of sleep that I have had in a long time. The next day was spent at home for the most part. Kevin called again, and Gyllian was able to talk to him. She was so excited. We went to Old Navy, and came right back home. That evening we had a birthday cookout to go to. So it was off to Kristi's we went. It was great fun!</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhBYYCuZpQl6Qusbd26EOpjp0NFRsVgRxW1tICuJJ8_F-6Xh94MrocflGEHY5uaGXVknbAG9-0YN_JD05Ym5jZEpaDKnUHw0XHj6JeajEhyzkLkj0BR__64fbSogiCt1yPKmAtsXVRsb2/s1600-h/002.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340230024248940530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLhBYYCuZpQl6Qusbd26EOpjp0NFRsVgRxW1tICuJJ8_F-6Xh94MrocflGEHY5uaGXVknbAG9-0YN_JD05Ym5jZEpaDKnUHw0XHj6JeajEhyzkLkj0BR__64fbSogiCt1yPKmAtsXVRsb2/s320/002.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1u6qFvcuYz6vOYP3xooox0FitSIkF8K9_WmrpxCTj26btN1p-xStcmQ_XUYD2ShymviamJ3dBunKJBnEyGNsCVDjv-jhSjlh407S_tkafumGLi3Q_YVHN0OF3B9QOocoC9fSe9aERku_/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340230263983325666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1u6qFvcuYz6vOYP3xooox0FitSIkF8K9_WmrpxCTj26btN1p-xStcmQ_XUYD2ShymviamJ3dBunKJBnEyGNsCVDjv-jhSjlh407S_tkafumGLi3Q_YVHN0OF3B9QOocoC9fSe9aERku_/s320/004.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPua2iKQMj6Y2LlEerJhO8PhJkN5MH1m_maRBg6IHKY2l3rOCDRIePyn1ZdzX6JRu2AdgtSXEgJ9eBVRzhJWJ9OwO_u_2uqb5j5QkkZiTFlbDZO3qaHp856cNGRsCX5nmwv-QQVXHKlCdq/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340230953138411074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPua2iKQMj6Y2LlEerJhO8PhJkN5MH1m_maRBg6IHKY2l3rOCDRIePyn1ZdzX6JRu2AdgtSXEgJ9eBVRzhJWJ9OwO_u_2uqb5j5QkkZiTFlbDZO3qaHp856cNGRsCX5nmwv-QQVXHKlCdq/s320/012.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07-2N3OTsGE30fUgx4jtnVUuMjA4Ux-4FqBeUGKZUnJEJx215iTa4sv9u1Z9L9H6toR6cXwwir6cP4I7FoFmerBicftVG2rMotHM2yXiEiIyvVSUiLhVzcrSERZClm1wPVD_Ybdl3NxIO/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340230586336569538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07-2N3OTsGE30fUgx4jtnVUuMjA4Ux-4FqBeUGKZUnJEJx215iTa4sv9u1Z9L9H6toR6cXwwir6cP4I7FoFmerBicftVG2rMotHM2yXiEiIyvVSUiLhVzcrSERZClm1wPVD_Ybdl3NxIO/s320/008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Again, my kids slept very well that night. They didn't get up until late the next morning. Sunday we got up and went back to Kristi's for breakfast. Then it was to the neighborhood cookout we went. There were ribs, burgers, potato salad, Hannah's famous pasta salad, and so much more! After that it was to Stacy's for dinner. We had ziti and homemade meatballs. They were delicious! We got home a little after eight, and crashed. Yesterday was our chill day. I got up and started cleaning. Gyllian was up with me. Sam slept until almost ten! We then threw on our bathing suits and went to the splash park with our friend Torria. What a blast that was. It only took an hour, but Sam finally got into the water.<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaE04M7yaHUoZiiC9udCqzW0YYUpgCFZjuX4Nit5rjKY_XI94uTA40U68oy5D1rz1GAY8Rvy8zFjsrJxTsAv8j3dX9TLt-6qpZ3TamS9rhwEADeaLsApM3GzWg_LVSdQ-RTnCBCHAXVMBh/s1600-h/032.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340232154003674642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaE04M7yaHUoZiiC9udCqzW0YYUpgCFZjuX4Nit5rjKY_XI94uTA40U68oy5D1rz1GAY8Rvy8zFjsrJxTsAv8j3dX9TLt-6qpZ3TamS9rhwEADeaLsApM3GzWg_LVSdQ-RTnCBCHAXVMBh/s320/032.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-cCtEnMPvOswo2m9JoYzTKp_LRbTMj-0GMQPW8pA9I1-wrreZQVAtFXz0QWVjxEBvVlT-ZXeyd0MM5SwoQ-OFawTW0aY6xXDkHavPNxmH-84QP395zW04ckLzYLQ61qF_XycA7KrogZT/s1600-h/046.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340232444966783922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-cCtEnMPvOswo2m9JoYzTKp_LRbTMj-0GMQPW8pA9I1-wrreZQVAtFXz0QWVjxEBvVlT-ZXeyd0MM5SwoQ-OFawTW0aY6xXDkHavPNxmH-84QP395zW04ckLzYLQ61qF_XycA7KrogZT/s320/046.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">We came home, and had dinner. It was an early bedtime for them last night! We really crammed a lot of fun in this past weekend. Today it was back to the daily grind. Kevin called again today and it was really great to hear his voice. I miss him so much and can't wait for him to be home. Then I'll be able to write about the adventures we have as a WHOLE family. </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-10637164540155192232009-05-22T21:54:00.002-04:002009-05-22T21:57:10.835-04:00Short, But Sweet...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">This is going to be a short post. I will write more about my day tomorrow. I just had to say...HE CALLED! It was so good to hear his voice. We got to talk for about fifteen minutes. The only sad thing is that Gyllian was at school when he called. I hope he can call again tomorrow. </span>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-22471670881714313132009-05-21T19:50:00.007-04:002009-05-21T20:06:16.855-04:00Thursday...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Today was just another day without Kevin. We started the day like any other by walking Gyllian to school. Afterwards we went to a playgroup with our FRG, and Sam got some much needed play time in. We started off on the swings (as usual).<br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVMZqYLzumJO-3G8eitpskOlgKJzbT3hoGSOab5Uyy_sO-sT4UvF_AIiPtZ86b8Qvg3bNc91uAF_8_SXf8oEa_-8_bu-PJKDXxZlrHH7rwfxSYBFNnJxN4Q6Qlwq2JKq40bqI9GXzZUDa/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338429682905695346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVMZqYLzumJO-3G8eitpskOlgKJzbT3hoGSOab5Uyy_sO-sT4UvF_AIiPtZ86b8Qvg3bNc91uAF_8_SXf8oEa_-8_bu-PJKDXxZlrHH7rwfxSYBFNnJxN4Q6Qlwq2JKq40bqI9GXzZUDa/s320/005.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwW9jmtmep_crmqe8vi7_fbv7ZMycv-Gs9z2uYVj7fy0SKLuaBwKr62rCXmhcZ29gLGF8wk_Y1eHBKIVznOs0JHIxVuIr6oKnMmJIIJp0NbWcKoQcG3Ncn5cWA_2sYUdLW2JG4ZQV0N9N/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338429907310837922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwW9jmtmep_crmqe8vi7_fbv7ZMycv-Gs9z2uYVj7fy0SKLuaBwKr62rCXmhcZ29gLGF8wk_Y1eHBKIVznOs0JHIxVuIr6oKnMmJIIJp0NbWcKoQcG3Ncn5cWA_2sYUdLW2JG4ZQV0N9N/s320/015.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">We were all over the playground today. He is getting much braver, and mommy is getting a little more nervous. We found that tapping the poles with mommy's pen made a cool noise.</span></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb5eCIqT06c7VcVhGrbs65NjaAHr8s7J4z6ISxTARkecQ8TBNmWPWYi6_2DurnA1PPE8gDNGfXDPJqBBkvitbahyQSpqh4EGbj3OWv2ck3PqKKt_sXz-WdAqlCOdcSW_s23-v0sGisfmC/s1600-h/025.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338430499147004482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPb5eCIqT06c7VcVhGrbs65NjaAHr8s7J4z6ISxTARkecQ8TBNmWPWYi6_2DurnA1PPE8gDNGfXDPJqBBkvitbahyQSpqh4EGbj3OWv2ck3PqKKt_sXz-WdAqlCOdcSW_s23-v0sGisfmC/s320/025.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">He REALLY likes the bouncy seats...</span></div><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUYaDPeRFYDc6CkBakGyJzwiU2pfckSVhXbCDZyL386z2V1TvuPfe5oKoNfgAtaPgtB4xC0CaeaZ1GwLC3NkHqAB99mpRwvM_xqFprar9WXayT-dPc2imMm5e8h3V2fYX0Ziu16LvC3MM/s1600-h/021.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338430778990252114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUYaDPeRFYDc6CkBakGyJzwiU2pfckSVhXbCDZyL386z2V1TvuPfe5oKoNfgAtaPgtB4xC0CaeaZ1GwLC3NkHqAB99mpRwvM_xqFprar9WXayT-dPc2imMm5e8h3V2fYX0Ziu16LvC3MM/s320/021.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">And today was his first time going down the big slide without mommy.</span><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwjJBlwqCCGrwfndctFbSYLAQ0C_pkagkQT5e2ddjikilL7z0d-JmCpYXfXPmQJQO8nplNfOdyyBMT5ftAJDHJt-aJR6uGPBLaBZykWtCfHw4aW1UmNjbyGjWeyfG5HCj9x1wTLAyZMkZ/s1600-h/026.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338431219077458610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwjJBlwqCCGrwfndctFbSYLAQ0C_pkagkQT5e2ddjikilL7z0d-JmCpYXfXPmQJQO8nplNfOdyyBMT5ftAJDHJt-aJR6uGPBLaBZykWtCfHw4aW1UmNjbyGjWeyfG5HCj9x1wTLAyZMkZ/s320/026.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">We played for a good hour before we decided to pack up and go home for lunch. After lunch, Sam went down for his nap, and I baked Susan a cake for her birthday. It wasn't much,but I figure it's the thought that counts (you'll recall that I am NOT much of a baker). We walked to pick Gyllian up from school, and came home to start dinner. After dinner, we surprised Susan with her cake. It took her so long to get to the house, that I had to blow out her candles because they were about to catch her cake on fire! Next thing we knew it was bedtime. Now it's quiet and I am alone once again. I haven't heard from Kevin in a few days, but I'm trying to keep my mind off of it. It's hard to knowing that most of the other wives have heard from their hubbies. We'll see. I just need to keep busy and try not to think about it. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.<br /></span></div></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2685820546539177669.post-58311598824827123342009-05-20T18:54:00.008-04:002009-05-20T19:16:52.765-04:00And the Waiting Game Begins...<span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#cc33cc;">So, my husband is now in a far away place, and I am waiting to hear from him. This is harder than waiting for him to come home. I haven't told my kids because they would be bugging me about it non-stop, but anyways...yesterday was Gyllian's school's Arts & Writing Celebration. We walked up to the school and saw her art and writing projects she has been working on. (Yes, kindergarteners are reading and writing.) She made a beautiful butterfly.</span><br /></span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPjklYFWlrheUav-pv1SqLoj0gYk6VamRUPykI2gYDoeNltK7WuuGPfqsdx0LkocfiUXHAAufUQg1nUhMn97HKJdWfXOn9v9wiR7DLBiSzKyRpjDaZoBI4mV5_ZpemwbzeqL1RF86M1Al/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338044014544694770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPjklYFWlrheUav-pv1SqLoj0gYk6VamRUPykI2gYDoeNltK7WuuGPfqsdx0LkocfiUXHAAufUQg1nUhMn97HKJdWfXOn9v9wiR7DLBiSzKyRpjDaZoBI4mV5_ZpemwbzeqL1RF86M1Al/s320/003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#33cc00;">She also did a very cute frog project.</span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp8vBOguc4A_WDp5dbFfI1GBopKgyd4dBWiCEaHBYYRSpw__g8MlhY9zp7BXmsAjrmY6giFhXIExeCZ6sI1le1jN5Yi4Biz1NUB8UVXSYwGvu533c7I9r7ZDVYVuvx3V-pFrz6UW4v_V5/s1600-h/007.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338044390905074546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyp8vBOguc4A_WDp5dbFfI1GBopKgyd4dBWiCEaHBYYRSpw__g8MlhY9zp7BXmsAjrmY6giFhXIExeCZ6sI1le1jN5Yi4Biz1NUB8UVXSYwGvu533c7I9r7ZDVYVuvx3V-pFrz6UW4v_V5/s320/007.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div> <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff99ff;">She showed me where they hung her home project for the month of May.</span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3xFF4n3sNBTh5jIaw618dYE_OdSMbRAsjkHDYfNQnGjsN7Old9A5YkwQY-dpuWfk44HFFH0Nen7DTAdkJHyaW1rvonzKvEHQz0cZRnxtdguAG0xMZHBimRDWTm1o0jtAzz3BIzeP7VZl/s1600-h/008.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338044635749464610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc3xFF4n3sNBTh5jIaw618dYE_OdSMbRAsjkHDYfNQnGjsN7Old9A5YkwQY-dpuWfk44HFFH0Nen7DTAdkJHyaW1rvonzKvEHQz0cZRnxtdguAG0xMZHBimRDWTm1o0jtAzz3BIzeP7VZl/s320/008.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#3366ff;">We went into the classroom and looked at more of her writing projects. It amazed me watching and listening to my baby girl read them to me on her own.</span> </span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEfya1QuCltF2nuSBwwDQbvhz3UxBe1l-4UXc8Cq0Dhk5P6U5gufsUal8YMQMA0VXFV_T7vRNT0oZJyv_cxgD8i2-BeviJLsy71rXFE44X6mhVNfk6REpKrY9nLzLGtnyPzuTbH6oCR1A/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338045353999586082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEfya1QuCltF2nuSBwwDQbvhz3UxBe1l-4UXc8Cq0Dhk5P6U5gufsUal8YMQMA0VXFV_T7vRNT0oZJyv_cxgD8i2-BeviJLsy71rXFE44X6mhVNfk6REpKrY9nLzLGtnyPzuTbH6oCR1A/s320/012.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff9900;">I'm sure I was beaming with the pride that I was feeling. It's amazing to me that I was there when she came into this world, and now I'm watching her grow and learn. Five years has gone by way to fast.</span></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0Y3WUPSV0FTPV38HxmH7AVPrZWfIEc2iQlRy7k4yYEsRISjk_aTsWDDfHflM6sXozdaPufo2caoVgUBhR-pM0tSCA9sTmcyg9Hk68Hqq9DKsuo4-ukyhaSveu8qSSx3wNPYTxvuHq5Nm/s1600-h/013.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338046013157141378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0Y3WUPSV0FTPV38HxmH7AVPrZWfIEc2iQlRy7k4yYEsRISjk_aTsWDDfHflM6sXozdaPufo2caoVgUBhR-pM0tSCA9sTmcyg9Hk68Hqq9DKsuo4-ukyhaSveu8qSSx3wNPYTxvuHq5Nm/s320/013.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#ff0000;">After that we strolled the halls looking at more artwork and writing projects. We also were able to enjoy a cookie while we did.</span></div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimol47LK4RoHh5zxjZObeE_0iutE2kBFbUaTO2q3SNuqPoGQphsMMKQT5HrqW0G3Ly2gfmQ29sPPGVOK1F9B4LZ5yommmB7j6VviiwPz-KhwgS8FwNrwToANlnS2kneb4rSRolv81L0EiO/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338046539741897282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimol47LK4RoHh5zxjZObeE_0iutE2kBFbUaTO2q3SNuqPoGQphsMMKQT5HrqW0G3Ly2gfmQ29sPPGVOK1F9B4LZ5yommmB7j6VviiwPz-KhwgS8FwNrwToANlnS2kneb4rSRolv81L0EiO/s320/011.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /></div><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;color:#00cccc;">It was a good day. Today, we walked to school, and then Sam and I went and walked with our friends Stacy, Joey, and Maryna. We walked a whopping three miles! We hung out with our friends for a little while after, and then went home so that Sam could have a nap. Then we walked to go pick Gyllian up from school. Needless to say, I'm exhausted! Now I am alone and waiting. This is the typical life of a Navy wife and of Navy brats. There is a lot of waiting. But we have a busy schedule tomorrow and for the rest of the time Kevin will be gone. Let's hope time speeds up.<br /></span><div> </div></div></div>Hope Blevins-Arphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17868260398053997130noreply@blogger.com0