BJ's snack *warning may gross out*

That my friends is a baby squirrel BJ decided to eat for lunch one day. I'm honestly not sure if he actually ate it, because I didn't see him do it, but I haven't seen it since then. Of course he had to show me what he caught first. He's seriously one of my children! (sorry Amy if you're reading this, I know how much this kinda stuff does not set well with you)

Dress Blues

By far, this is probably my FAVORITE thing about Brian being in the military!

(Ignore my cluttered bedroom)
So sad that it turned out blurry, but you get the idea! He was doing so good at not shoving me out of the room while I was trying to get pictures of him while he was talking on the phone.

Tumbling Class

We were finally able to get into a "trial" tumbling class at Randolph AFB. We first went to a "Mommy n Me" class, and then he stayed for the regular pre-school class afterwards, and he loved it, but was also exhausted! Finally something to channel his endless amounts of energy while helping him gain confidence (not that he's really shy, but he's definitely more sure of himself physically than he was before). His "coach" decided he would do better in the pre-school class (full of boys), and he's doing awesome. He's really strong for such a little guy! He gets so excited too! He literally jumps up and down and doesn't even look back, which is refreshing for such a mommas boy. Maybe next we'll get him in a karate class since he's always doing his ninja moves around the house anyway ;)

Off To The Races

Last Saturday (15th) at Retama Park (horse race track), they had 50 cent night. That meant free admission, free activities for the kids and 50 cent drinks and $1 hot dogs! Landen had a blast! With amazing luck, our friends Morgan and Jamie Hillman also went to Landen's delight. I swear he's got a little "bro-mance" going on with their son Carter (at least on his side), because he can't get enough of him! It's quite cute!!! Anyway, most of the night was spent with us standing in lines while Landen literally ran around in circles with the boys. First up we went to see all the little animals (goats, bunnies, etc.), then they had some ponies for the children to ride. Landen loved it!!! I always forget my camera, but thank goodness for whoever invented the camera phone. The pictures aren't awesome, but you get the idea of what's going on.

Landen getting ready to ride. He wasn't too sure about this at first.
He's so tiny on that pony!!
Again, sorry so blurry!
As soon as he got off the horse he said "Dad, I want a pony". Guess that's what he'll be asking Santa for this Christmas ;)
They also had some other activities for the kids. He LOVED getting a snake painted on his face and was sad when we had to wash it off for church the next day. He also got a balloon sword, and was in awe of the guy making it!

We only actually watched one horse race, and it started on the other side of the track so it was hard for Landen to even focus on what was going on...plus it was bedtime, so we just headed home afterwards. It was so fun, and I'm pretty sure we'll be doing this again!

Sanity...

....it's fading quickly! As a military spouse, you come to expect to be alone A LOT, which sounds bad, but it's doable. I've been able to hang on to a lot of my stubborn independence, but that sometimes gets in the way when Brian IS home and I have to remember that he can help out too, and I don't NEED to do EVERYTHING.

But, Brian's been out in field training for the last 2 weeks and home on weekends. Again, bearable...until the car broke down on Monday, and the tension's been building! I'm trying not to get too annoyed with the stupid guy at the shop that won't give me any answers as to what's going on with my car and seems annoyed when I ask, because he so graciously arranged for me to get a ride home with the kiddos in an Acadia (dream car). I'm trying not to get annoyed with being stuck in the house since the wheel on our stroller was blown out at Sea World (by them), but I finally got the replacement wheel in the mail!!! I'm trying not to go insane with an active, bored, potty-training 3 year-old, because he really does say and do some of the funniest things (just not when he decides to empty a salt shaker all over the house including BJ's food). It's still sticky hot here, but again, bearable, so we actually were able to venture out to the park yesterday. Landen complained it was too hot, so we didn't stay long. Abrie also shared her frustration that she was tired and was so over being out in the heat.

Brian comes home tonight for a nice 3 day weekend. I might run away to Corpus Christi and spend the weekend on the beach...probably not, but one can dream ;). Moments like these keep me SANE:

Jayden's Funeral

Abrie and I were lucky enough to fly out to Utah for Jayden's funeral, thanks to the military allowing Brian a day off from training to stay home with Landen. We flew out Thursday September, 22nd in the afternoon after Brian got home. It was so nice going out at 9:00 p.m. in Utah! The weather was heavenly!!!

While Katie and Cory were still in the hospital, they took Jayden and made little molds of his hands and feet. I put the block next to them to try and give you a scale. That's about a 1 inch block. (Sorry about the blurry picture, taken from my phone)

His feet were so long for how tiny he was!

Here's a couple of views of the his flowers at the graveside service. His casket is so tiny!

I'm a complete jerk and help up the service by about 20 minutes! I dropped Abrie off at her Nana's house so that I wouldn't have to worry about her during the service, but it took me an HOUR to get down there!!! But, it only took me 30 minutes to get back (when in Utah, drive like Utards). Utah construction is ridiculous....it seriously doesn't make sense what they do sometimes!

Anyway, the service was sweet and simple. There were quite a few people who came in town for the funeral. Katie and Cory wrote a letter to Jayden that was read at his graveside that was so touching. I was crying from the opening song but finally got myself together for the closing song. This whole experience just makes me grateful for the knowledge and ability to have eternal families. This has been an incredibly huge trial for my sister and her husband, but they've been amazing at how well they've handled it. They attest it to all the prayers that have been and are being offered up in their behalf. They're also using their good sense of humor to work through it too. Cory was so sweet, he insisted on helping actually burying him. I know they still have a long road of healing ahead of them, but the progress they've made already is astounding. I'm so proud of them and their strength!