Welcome Home Scott!!

Hooray he's home! Scott suprised me by being home a day early! Their car had driven through the night to be home just after 10 on Saturday. I had the kids in bed already, but it was almost better that way because then I didn't have to share my hug and snuggle time with them - ha! Scott went to Kalia in her bed to say hi, but she didn't really wake up. First thing in the morning though the popped up, asked "Is Daddy home?" and ran into our room to smother him with hugs and kisses!

Kalia was just so excited to see her daddy that she couldn't stop smiling and laughing, which made Oliver all excited too! We had a fun little snuggle time right when the kids woke up. Kalia was bouncing around and giving Scott tons of hugs, kisses, snuggles and tickles, and Oliver kept touching his face and giving his own hugs.
So happy to have some time with Daddy all to himself!

Kalia was smiling like this all day and couldn't stop playing with Scott - they chased all over the house, 'teased' eachother and tickeled eachother to bits!

And of course I was so happy to welcome my husband home too!

God answered so many prayers for us this week! Not only did he keep everyone safe, the kids were so well behaved for me! Kalia went to bed so great for nap and nighttime, and it seems as though everyone had a good time (though we did really miss eachother of course!). I am so greatful that my family was close by to help me out this week, too! I am so thankful for a husband that is such an involved and loving father - it's sure better when he's home with us!

Welcome Home Babe!!!

Birthday Celebrations and More Pics of the Kids

Well, the week without Scott is nearing an end, and the birthday celebrations that I had this week certainly helped pass the time! Monday night my family got together for a yummy supper and cheesecake, as well as some fabulous presents! When they sang Happy Birthday to me, Kalia joined right in, but then afterward said "I think that I am the birthday girl!" Tuesday I was back to teaching after a long break due to Christmas, the stomach flu, and the COLD weather. It was nice to get back into it - I really enjoy teaching, and I have some very talented kids this year. Kalia talked about Scott a lot on Monday and I could tell she really misses having him around. Whenever she hears the door she asks if it's Daddy, and a couple of times when she's woken up from night or nap she says "Is Daddy home yet?" and then she looks crestfallen when I have to tell her no. It's sure hard to explain a timeline to a 2 year old. The best I can do is say that Daddy will be home soon. I miss sharing all of the little funny things that the kids do together with him, and just hanging out the four of us together! And it really shows how much parenting is a team effort when your husband is away! Only 3 days to go!!! Wednesday, I woke up to a Happy Birthday text from Scott, and then for lunch I went out with my mom and sister to the Pavillion at the park. Afterward, I took Kalia and Oliver to wander around in the Solarium and we had a lot of fun. One of the workers even brought Kalia food to feed the fish and turtles and I think that was the highlight of her day. She loved how they came swimming towards her and the little pellets of food and how the turtle bobbed its head around. Ollie was fascinated by all of the flowers and trees - he couldn't stop looking around at everything.
In the evening, I went over to my very special friend Amber's house for a birthday party with a few blogger friends (top picture). It was a nice 'girls night in' - something I haven't done a lot of since having kids. When I got back to put Kalia to bed, she said "Mom, I'm SO happy you're here!" Which just warmed my heart. She really has been such a good girl while Scott has been away, which is a huge answer to prayer. We had a play date with Amber and her girls this morning, and this evening I have a fun movie night planned at home with popcorn and licorice, just me and the kids! Tomorrow we are off to another play date in the morning and then there are only 2 days left until Scott is home!! Can't wait!!

Oliver looks a bit freaked out here! First experience seeing candles I think :)

Kalia 'helped' me unwrap my presents - which really means that she did it while I watched!

Me with the kids - we miss you Dad!!

** oh and just a side note: yesterday at lunch I discovered that Oliver has not only one new tooth but two! He's up to 5 now! (no wonder I haven't been getting much sleep - ha ha)

Keeping Busy and Pics of the Kids

This is what happened when I said "Smile for Daddy!" Not bad eh?

Four days down, another 6 to go! We've been packing our days full of fun so that we don't miss Scott SO much! We have been texting, plus he called yesterday evening and Kalia was sure happy to hear his voice! (Okay, me too!)

I was on the phone this morning and just looked over to see that Oliver had fallen fast asleep sitting up on the couch!

Thursday we said goodbye to Scott around 4:30 and then I told Kalia we could have whatever she wanted for supper while we watched the movie "Cars" - she picked grilled cheese and pickles, which seems to be her new favorite. I was a bit worried about putting her to bed because she always seems to go to sleep better when Scott is around and when it's just me she uses every trick in the book to stay awake! But my prayers were answered and she went beautifully to bed without a peep! She has been quite well behaved for me since he's been gone actually. I told her that Mommy was going to be sad because of Daddy being gone so long and she would make me really happy if she was a good girl while he was gone. She loves any 'job' we give her where she feels like she can help out, so she has seemed to take her task of cheering Mommy up with great pride. Friday morning we had a play date with Terrilee, Emery and Griffen, I had a massage, and then we headed over to my mom's. Last Tuesday my neck started to get VERY stiff and I have hardly been able to even move my head from side to side! At the massage, she said that it looked as if I'd been injured or had whiplash - and I have no idea what caused it! It's still sore, but I'm going for another massage on Tuesday and hopefully she can work out the rest of the kinks. In the evening at mom's my friend Ally came over to hang out for the evening with my family as well!

Saturday was a really fun day for me! I went out shopping for the day and out for lunch with my wonderful friend Sherisse! We celebrated eachother's birthdays which are both in January and I got myself a few fabulous items! I was determined not to shop for the kids, because that's usually what I end up doing. In the evening, we just relaxed at mom's and went in the hot tub, staying for another sleepover.

Sunday I packed the kids up and hauled them off to church by myself (I felt brave - luckily the really COLD spell is over). It all worked pretty well, aside from Kalia being brought out of Children's church crying miserably because some "mad guy" had not been letting her play with the toys :) For the rest of the day we hung out at mom's and then came home for night. This evening my family is having a birthday supper for me with my mom's yummy Neopolitan cheesecake - my fave!!

Oliver absolutely loves watching Kalia play! He is starting to get more active too! He's not quite crawling yet, but he will move onto his tummy to reach a toy and sqirm around a little, plus he does this funny little 'shuffle' when he's lying on his back to move around a bit. He has also started pulling himself up and climbing around. Yesterday he was sitting on my lap when he grabbed my shoulders, and just stood up! Also, today he was on the couch and then he climbed up the arm to look outside the window. I have definitely noticed that he is getting more curious about what is beyond the little circle around him! Whereas he used to be content for hours to just sit and play, he now seems to realize that there is more to explore and to do. He also finally had his 4th tooth poke through last night - he's been working on that one for a little while.

Kalia is busy, busy, busy as always. I think she could spend a whole day playing 'chase' or hide and seek! Here, she is proudly depositing a little bag of money that my dad gave her into her piggy bank. She was considerate enough to share some with Oliver and put some into his piggy bank as well

MDS

So today Scott is leaving the kids and I for TEN WHOLE DAYS to go on MDS! It's kind of funny because he asked me all along if I minded if he went and said that if I said no, he would not go. Of course I wasn't going to hold him back from a missions trip, but now that he's leaving, I wish I'd told him to stay! Seriously though, I am very proud of him for going to help people in need, though I know I will really miss him, and Kalia will go a little crazy without him. I'm also wondering if I'll be able to get Kalia to sleep, because for some reason, she just sleeps way better when Scott is around. I know he also needs a break from work to make it through for the rest of the winter until he starts back on the farm. It also makes it harder for him to go when we are dealing with weather that is -45 degrees and he is off to sunny California!! (Never mind the fact that in February he is going to Las Vegas with some guys for a Nascar race!) I've tried to fill up our schedule with lots of fun things to do while he's gone to distract the kids (well, let's be honest here, it's mostly for me) and fill the time. We'll probably end up spending a bunch of night's at my parents house as well.

Love you SO much Scott! You are such a wonderful and caring husband to me, and definitely the best dad any kids could ask for! I am really praying for safety both on the drive and the work-site, so if any of you fellow bloggers think of us in the next week and a half, send up a prayer please!