I Have a Real Life Now

Thank you to everyone who has inquired about my blog, and where the updated pictures are. The reality is, I HAVE A LIFE NOW! This is a fabulous change, and I was so busy relishing it that I just wasn't into getting online and writing about my life, when I was so busy living it! Now that Joe has been home for a few weeks things are starting to calm down a little. Well, I wouldn't say calm really, but at least I am making it a priority to get on here and share the wonderful happenings of my life with you. Enjoy the most recent posts about Jamin's party and Joe's homecoming, and I promise to continue posting more regularly to get caught up on the exciting adventures that make up our lives. Love you all!

The Moment We've All Been Waiting For

October 24, 2008. The Big Day. Jocephus finally came home, for good, from Iraq! He flew in at about 8:15 am, but the Welcome Home Ceremony wasn't until 1:30 so we had to wait a grueling 5 hours to get to see him. Needless to say, it was all worth it. Another member of our ward came home that day too, so we sat with his wife at the ceremony, and some other sweet women from church came to support us and take pictures. Thank you!

The ceremony was short and sweet. It had to be - there were 600 soldiers that came home that day. Can you imagine trying to hold back 600 spouses from their soldiers who have been away for 15 months? Right.

I guess we made it on TV, on one of the news channels. We don't have TV so I didn't even hear about it until a couple of weeks later. But hey, we're famous! Autograph anyone?

Seriously, we are so grateful for his safe return, and we know the Lord was watching over our family during this deployment. It is true that "absence makes the heart grow fonder" but I am so glad he is home because I don't know how much fonder I could get of him!

I know, enough words. You only came for the pictures. Wait no more!




Joe is the last one in this picture. He was first in the second row. Gene Cottrell, who is in our ward, is right in front of him. Welcome Home, Gene!

Happy 2nd Birthday Jamin!

Madeline's friend Jamin turned 2 in October, and he had a costume party to celebrate. Jamin is one of Madeline's best friends. In fact, she thinks he is her boyfriend. We have caught them kissing goodbye, and Madeline will even put her arm around him and tell him "I love you." Yeah. Watch out for those teenage years.

Jamin was a surfer for Halloween, so the party had a beach theme. All Madeline's friends were there. It was rad, dude.

Madeline was a Patty Cake Baker. It may be hard to see in the pictures, but I ordered her costume online and I swear the dress looks like it is made for a doll. It took some serious work to even get it on her body. The first 2 times I tried, I couldn't even get it on. I think I stretched it out while I was trying, because I finally squeezed her into it. Once it was on though, the hat said it all - Cutie Pie!
We even made it authentic with a little "flour" on the cheeks.

Jamin's little brother, Levi, was Squirt from Finding Nemo. Liam, the ninja, was hysterical with him. Levi is about 6 months old (right Christine?) and he was just chillin on the floor. Liam thought it looked like fun to go swim right along side him, so he repeatedly got on the floor and pretended to just swim through the ocean with Levi. So cute.

Another really cute thing about Liam and his ninja costume - his dad taught him what a ninja does, so if you go up to him and ask to see his ninja moves he crouches down and moves his hands through the air like a ninja while making little ninja sounds. He cracks me up.

Madeline spent half the time hoarding these huge balloons and running around the room with them on her arm.

Clearly I need more work on my cake decorating skills. I usually slap on some frosting and write "Happy Birthday" with gel icing.

These are Madeline's best friends: Addie, Haylee, and Jamin. Jamin is clearly a ladies man.
Classic 2-yr-old party. The kids all wanted to help him open his presents, and then play with the toys before he could even look at them.

Madeline and Haylee are superstars.

This is where she confesses her love for Jamin. Happy Birthday Jamin! I love you, too!