I’m sitting on my couch, drinking coffee. I am not eating Cocoa Puffs or Chocolate Cheerios because Brian and I are going out for breakfast. We’ve decided to go on a morning “date,” since we figure this will be the last chance for a long, long time to have any kind of date. (which we are totally okay with, of course.)
Our date will consist of breakfast, either with chocolate chip pancakes or a cheese omelette (which would you choose?), a trip to the chiropractor for me, a visit to Target and then to Old Navy. One of my goals today is to get all of our Easter shopping done since I’ll be busy the week before Easter mothering a newborn. The other goal is to not spend a lot of money, things feel so financially tight around here, I need to be careful!
I’m feeling extra crampy today, particularly in my lower back and abdomen. I find it exciting that my body is preparing for labor, even though I will not have a vaginal delivery. I found out the details of BIRTHDAY yesterday and it has made me very excited.
Oh and the baby’s room is nearly 100% complete. I’ll be sharing with you next weekend. (when it’s 100% complete.)
We’ve had amazing weather this week, as I sit I can hear birds singing outside. They must be so happy to be back in our area, there is so much singing! Yesterday, I took the kids to the park with my friends and their kids and everyone else in the world and their kids and it was nice, a little chilly, but the sun was vibrant and the children’s laughter and screams were wonderful to hear. Tomorrow is spring!
All of this sunshine is needed because this week has taken an emotional toll on my family. My brother Dan, left last night for his fourth (YES, FOURTH) tour to Iraq. Dan is an amazing man. Awesome brother, son, husband, Dad. He has three kids. He’ll be gone for one year and my heart, it aches. All of our hearts ache.
I wish you could meet him, he really is one of the funniest guys on earth (and becomes even more hilarious when he’s around his identical twin brother, Dave), the most generous, he has the biggest heart and takes every role in his life very seriously. (he is also responsible for my interest in photography.) I guess this is what makes him such a great soldier, a highly-decorated Major in the Army.
As much as I want this year to go so slow with the baby coming and growing so quickly, I want to snap my fingers and be resting safely on March 19, 2011, knowing that his arrival back home is imminent. And knowing that he is safe.
We could use your prayers for his safety, his heart, his wife’s heart and for their kids. They are all SO STRONG, but we could all use the extra prayers, if you have them. (and please, if you have the chance, could you leave some words of encouragement with my Mom? Your words may seem small, but the impact is immeasurable. This, I promise you.)
Give extra hugs this weekend, love extra hard.
That’s an order.
What I would eat for breakfast: Chocolate chip pancakes, cheese omelette, AND hashbrowns. You’re welcome.
Oh ouch – my heart just got all achey reading that. Beautiful family; brave dad.
Tell him and them – thanks- from all of us!
Please tell him thank you for us! We are constantly aware of the sacrifice men like your brother make, so we can be safe. He’s a hero!
~kristin
My thoughts are with you and your family, especially your brother. He sounds like an amazing man. Thank you Dan, for doing what you do for our country everyday!
Enjoy your morning date! I’m an omelette fan so I’d say Cheese please!
I will keep Dan and all your family in my prayers for a quick and safe tour. I can’t imagine having to say goodbye to my loved one for a year…let alone for the 4th time. I am humbled to know our military is made up of such good people!
A fourth tour! That’s so hard. My husband (also a Dan) is away right now. It’s always hard for the kids and spouses of the military. I will keep your sister-in-law and her kids in my prayers.
I would have the cheese omlette with pancakes instead of toast! Praying for Dan. I am so thankful for his service.
Can’t wait to see baby’s room!
Hmmm..I would have the cheese omlette–I think, I do love me some pancakes though! Have fun and good luck getting all of your errands done!
Dear Lord! I have so much respect and admiration for anyone serving in the military, along with their families, such a true sacrifice.
Your brother and his family will be in my thoughts-what a handsome brother!
cheese omelet and hashbrowns. {chocolate chip pancakes?!? you all are so crazy.}
i prayed for dan this morning and got all teary eyed. i can’t believe the sacrifices people like your brother make for us. for me. to sit here in my warm home, with my babies, drinking my coffee & planning my fun day. thank you. i will be praying.
My prayers go out to your family. What a strong, strong man. And what a strong, strong family to be able to face this for the fourth time.
I can’t wait to see the baby’s room. And enjoy both the pancakes and the omelet. Last date = last meal like that, too!
I just want 2 say that I really enjoying ur blogg n even so the twittering! =D
I’m lookin forward 2 read more about u n the little one growing in your tummy? …
Have a great weekend!! And eat as musch as u can!! I know I would!! You never now when its the last time before u soon are goin to take turns eat a propper meal
But somehow I think ur gonna do just fine!!
Have a nice weekend
Anna mother of one and also as a bonus, plastic fantastic MOM!! =D
Both. I would have both.
So many emotions! I wish your brother and entire family all.the.best.
Beth:
I am praying for your family. Dan is a strong man, great person, and a person you should be so glad to call your brother. I would never be able to deal with him leaving four times,but I know that is his job..I will be praying for you entire family, his unit, his family, and his safe return home in 2011…
I will say prayers for your brother and his family. There really aren’t adequate words to express how much I admire and appreciate military families and all they give. Praying for you too–the big day draws near!
So fun to think about the new baby! I would have the omelet and some fruit–yum.
I will say many prayers for your brother, his family, your family and those serving with him. Please thank him for his dedication to our country.
i agree with erin – have the pancakes, the omelette AND hash browns!
(sorry, hit submit before i finished) and your family and your brother are in my thoughts and prayers and will be daily until his safe return home
(well, i’ll pray for him every day even after that as i pray for all soldiers but specifically while he’s deployed…ok, i’m rambling – sorry!)
aahh, you are making me hungry with the chocolate chip pancakes! Prayers and thoughts with your whole family.
your brother is awesome. please tell him thank you. and thank his entire family too. because dang.
Hope you have a great date! I’m a strawberry waffle person myself, with fresh strawberries and whip cream. Those are beautiful photos of your brother and his family. Sending my prayers to all.
Hashbrowns and bacon!! And chocolate chip pancakes, why not.
Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. Big big hugs.
Having lived in San Diego for 10 years, I have a special place in my heart for men and women who serve us overseas. May God go with Dan and be His comfort and companion. And may his family here at home manage his absence as well as possible.
Chocolate chip pancakes all the way. I always want sweet for breakfast.
Also, saying a prayer for your family today. Going to see your mom right now.
Praying for you and your family, your brother and his family and your mom as you all go through these times of adjustment and change.
Have a great date with your husband!
I’ll just have a very cheesy cheese omelet please.
All the pictures are great. Just so you know, Dan is on a short layover and should get to his destination tonight.
The crampiness is very exciting. I feel like calling you right away but I guess I’ll try to wait until after your breakfast.
I’m overwhelmed and profoundly touched by so many kind thoughts and prayers. But most of all, I believe these are what will keep him safe. Thank you to all your wonderful follower friends.
I would eat Chocolate Chip pancakes! When I was pregnant with J, I had Chocolate Chip Pizza at least once a week….it was this specialty at a local pizza place and after I had it once I was hooked.
Hope your breakfast is super yummy.
Many prayers for your family and your Brother’s as well.
He is so brave for serving. Thanks to him for that.
My heart aches as well. I understand. While I am Air Force and have been to Iraq before it’s different when your family goes and you stay behind wondering. My brother followed behind me and joined the Marines. He just came back from Afgahnistan in Feb and will be leaving next month for Iraq. He will be gone for about a year as well and won’t get to meet his new nephew when he’s born in May.
Geez, enough about me.
I will add you and your family to my own prayers.
Deployments suck, and I have a tee shirt to prove it.
Thoughts and prayers are with your whole family.
I know that ache all too well! My husband is in Iraq right now, finishing up his first deployment. He’ll be back in September, at which our newborn son will be six months old. Deployment is rough, especially with kids! I can’t even imagine saying goodbye to my husband for a FOURTH time! I will be thinking of, and praying for you and your family!!
Praying for your brother his family and your whole family. It is so sad that they have to be gone so long. My friends husband just left for his 3rd tour. His 2nd tour was 18months long and this one will be a year. They have a 2 year old son. I think it is too hard on the families to be gone that long.
I am eating chocolate chip pancakes as I write this! For an afternoon snack haha (I’m pregnant too… I guess that’s my excuse!)
I’ll keep my brother and your family in my prayers.
Our days are so often mixed with joy and sadness. Thinking of you, your sweet baby, your brave brother, and all of your family as we all celebrate spring and pray for peace and strength and life.
As a previous commenter said, “your brother is awesome.” His wife is awesome, too. I am so, so grateful to him and his family. He sounds like a true hero. We need more of those.
As a mother of boys, my heart breaks for your mom, too. It sounds like she raised one fantastic man. I hope that someday I can say the same.
I will pray for all of you.
Prayers and Blessing for your brother Dan and family. We are an Air Force family with four boys. My husband has been deployed three times in support of the war. We will keep them all in our prayers and thoughts. Thinking of your mom, she is a special woman to have a son who is so faithful and honorable to his country and family. God Bless you all!
Lots of prayers for your brother and your family!
As for breakfast, I say have the cheese omelet and the chocolate chip pancakes for dessert! (Maybe this is why I can’t seem to lose any weight.)
Yes, ma’am! Right away, ma’am!
Hugs to you on the pending arrival of this magnificent bundle. And more hugs ALL around (and continued prayers) for your family and it’s missing piece for the next year.
I hope you had a wonderful date this morning!!
My prayers are with your brother, his fellow soldiers, your entire family. Oh, the parallels – I have twin brothers, and one of them is in the Marines, getting ready for his first tour to Afghanistan (however, he has informed us his dates may change to much later in the year, he’s upset {they’ve obviously trained him well, he wants to serve!}, but we are all so grateful to not be freakin out so soon!). Your family will be in my continuing prayers! *hugs*
I hope you had a great breakfast date. For the record I woulda had the chocolate chip pancakes.
Praying for your brother and his family and of course all of you. Off to visit your Mom now…
I will definately be praying for your brother, his family, and your family. I can’t imagine going thru a 4th deployment, but I also know how vital great soldiers are. My honey recently returned from a one-year deployment to Iraq as an Army Chaplain. This was our first deployment (and with 3 small kiddos) and it is hard being separated for so long. But we also realized that it wasn’t all about us and that he was doing a great thing for our nation and for our family. I hope that you enjoyed your date with your hubby.
I so hope you went with the pancakes…
Thinking of your WHOLE family tonight. Love you!
We will pray for you and your family. What your brother is doing is such a sacrifice and I thank God EVERY DAY that there are men and women like him who are willing to protect the freedoms that I appreciate everyday. Thank you, for sharing your brother!!
And I would take the eggs! Good luck with your baby!!
I would have had all the breakfast food…who knows when you will have time again! lol
I am praying for your family, for your brothers safety, for his wife’s patience and love for her children. Thank you for sharing him with us, so we can all send up some extra love for him in the coming weeks and months.
Prayers and positive thoughts for you and your family on all counts. God bless!
Sadie at heyMamas
Best wishes to you, your brother and his family for a happy and healthy and safe return to the States. Please thank him for his service.
Ok, its 7am (my time, I am drinking my morning coffee and Im crying. My thoughts and prayers go out to you, your brother and his family.
Please keep us updated!
xo