Awesome Random Moments to share....

Mallory wakes up like a live wire in the morning!  She hangs out in her bed for a bit when she first opens her eyes, then after a few minutes, I hear:  "MOOOOOOMMMM!  I'M AWAAAAAKE!"  And that is my cue- time for the bright-eyed and bushy tailed little girl to JUMP out of bed and talk non-stop as she describes what adventures she hopes to have for the day.

Many mornings, Grandma helps occupy Mallory while Mommy goes to the gym, or takes a shower, or runs errands.  One morning, she saw Grandma's velcro rollers, and decided she needed to style her hair, too!

Such a sweet and funny girl!

I often talk about my dear friend, Stacy- one of the most talented people I know!  She got me hooked on Stampin' Up products when we lived together at Laughlin AFB, and has given me so many hand-made gifts that I cherish!  For Mallory's 3rd birthday earlier this year, Stacy gave her this darling "pillowcase" dress, complete with a matching doll!  Mallory loves the little doll, and considers it her accessory when we leave the house!  Mommy loves the cool style for this San Antonio weather- and we both love Miss Stacy!

And for those of you who have met our dog, JD- he still makes us laugh.  After a day of nervous shaking, begging at the table, slaying snakes in the backyard, or barking at EVERYONE who drives by the house, even HE needs his beauty sleep.

I SWEAR I DID NOT alter this photo, or cause it to occur!  Chalk this one up to a daughter who leaves her princess accessories laying around, and a dog who was so tired, he had no idea he slid into it as he settled down for the evening.  I was working on the computer, and when I turned around, THIS was what I saw- thank goodness for the camera being nearby.

More fun at the zoo with friends!

After being settled back from our vacation, we were thrilled to spend the day at the zoo with friends.  I tell you what, this San Antonio heat wave was NOT going to keep us down!  I am so blessed to have 3 of the sweetest girlfriends that I met at Laughlin AFB (over FIVE years ago!!!) living in and around San Antonio.  Our children are all about the same ages (Brooklyn and Callie were even born on the SAME DAY!) and so we all jump at a chance to get together!

The San Antonio Zoo is small and easy to navigate.  The kids were all so well-behaved, even in the heat!  There is just enough to keep their interest and wear them out before nap time!

Vivienne (who is less than pleased at this moment), Brooklyn and Mallory pose for a picture on the Komodo Dragon statue.

When Ian and Jillian arrived, Mallory couldn't take her hands off of them!  She was soooooo excited!

Brooklyn was such a good little helper and kept Mallory and Vivienne busy for a bit!

Mallory is getting braver and braver in the butterfly house.  She really WANTS to hold one, but usually pulls away at the last second.

She loved this little blue butterfly!

You can see how hot she is... but she kept reaching out for butterflies!

Every so often at the zoo, they have educational stations set up with volunteers to teach the kids about animals.  This station was about the Okapi, and how they use their long, black tongues to grab leaves off of trees.  They gave each child a long tube sock and told them to grab only ONE kind of leaf with their "tongue".  Mallory and Trevor had a great time!

The next station was about the prairie dogs and how they all work together to accomplish big tasks.  Each child was assigned a color of ball, and worked together to sort them into separate buckets.  Callie and Brooklyn were a big help for the smaller kids!

You can barely see the elephant in this picture, but all the kids love to see her!

So glad to have such sweet and cherished friends living so close to us during this difficult time that we are separated from Charles.  Thank you so much for all you have done, and continue to do to fill our days and hearts with happiness!  We love you, and can't wait until our next adventure together!

Hawaii- time to say Aloha....

Waikiki Beach was the first beach we visited.... and it was also our last.

Mallory played and played in the surf and sand.... 

She played more in the ocean on this day than any other.  She held hands with Charles and I as we sang "Ring around the Ocean" about a million times over!

But she of course still made time to play in the sand.  Once the sun started to hide behind some clouds, it got a little chilly, so we walked up to the Hale Koa and enjoyed their heated pool until sunset....

...and what a sunset it was!  Such a perfect way to end our trip!

This was the last picture of Charles and I together.... 

The next morning, Charles, Mallory and I headed to the airport bright and early.  We checked in for our flights, and we all went through security.  Charles' plane was to leave at noon, and we stayed with him until he boarded.  Once it was really time to say good-bye, Mallory got very upset, and Charles got a little choked up, too.  Of course, I was upset too, but I didn't want to cry in front of Mallory because we had 11 more hours until our plane left!  So we just said goodbye quick like a band aid, and walked away.

Suzanne was such a God send, and picked Mallory and I up at the airport.  Her movers were there, but she let us shack up at their TLF so Mallory could take a nap, and play on the playground before we had to leave.  She and Rob took us out to dinner, and then back to the airport.  I put Mallory in her pajamas, and we got on the plane back to Los Angeles at 10:30pm.

Mallory looked at a magazine as we pulled away from the gate.

You know she is deliriously tired when she turns and poses for the camera!

As we taxied, she held up the magazine to block out the lights........

....and before I knew it, her hands dropped to her lap, and she was asleep!  She fell asleep before we even left the ground, and didn't wake up until after we landed in Los Angeles!

She slept on the plane from LA to San Antonio, too!  No doubt dreaming of her Daddy the entire time!

Hawaii Day 6

Another day....another vision.  Mallory had been given this darling dress by her Aunt Chrissy (Charles' sister), and I thought it would be perfect to color-coordinate a family picture in Hawaii!  I brought Charles this shirt, got Mallory and I ready, and off we went.... on the quest for a coordinated family picture.  (All the while seeing the sights of Hawaii and getting a toddler to cooperate- this should be a snap- ha ha...)

Attempt #1- This was the pool area at our hotel- Mallory looks so thrilled... I know.

Attempt #4- The concierge tried to help us out, but he cut off Charles' head, and Mallory would NOT look!

Oh well... off to the Swap Meet- the best place to buy any souvenirs on the island.  It is set up all around the outside of the Aloha Stadium, and there was SO MUCH to choose from!

I just had to take my hand at drinking out of a coconut.....

Mallory even tried it.... but she was NOT a fan.  I didn't really like the liquid, but the gal cut up the flesh for us, and it was YUMMY!!!!!!!

After the swap meet, we headed to Pearl Harbor.  Charles had never visited before, and it was my second visit- the last time I was here was with my family in 1994.

Mallory was being cute and playing peek-a-boo with the flag pole.

Such a little girl and such a grand old flag!

Attempt #15- Hooray!  A family picture!  Finally!

We were so proud to be at such a hallowed place with our brave and strong Daddy!

"The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American military forces.  I regret to tell you that over three thousand American lives have been lost.  No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory."

-President Franklin D. Roosevelt.... December 8, 1941

Mallory and her Daddy!

Charles took this picture- isn't it magnificent?  Seeing our flag always makes me proud to be an American!

See!  We were really just right there!

Hawaii day 5

We all had such a great time at the Luau, and I really didn't think things could get any better.  I sort of wished we had saved the luau for our last activity together.... but I was in for a surprise!

Charles had purchased "Lunch with the Dolphins" (or something), at the Sea Life Park.  I pictured us sitting at a table, around the tank where the dolphins swim, and them coming over to our table and we get to see them as we eat.  So, here is how I showed up to the Sea Life Park......

Thant's right- make-up and all.... ready to "see" the dolphins and get my picture taken.  Luckily, Charles had us pack our swimsuits just in case, because he wasn't really sure what was in store either.  When we got there, we found out we ate lunch at their food court, and then actually get IN THE WATER to interact with the dolphins!  Wow!  We couldn't wait..... but how would Mallory react to a fish 15x her size?

On the way to lunch, we took some pictures of these paragliders.  We saw a few everyday- such a fascinating sport!

Mallory also got to meet a Sea Turtle along the way.  This one is just under a year old.

Had to take a picture of these penguins.  I was a little shocked to see penguins in Hawaii.... but they are very happy there!

And finally!  Our meeting with the dolphin!  We were in a group of about 12 people, and we all took turns posing with the dolphin!  We were in the water for about an hour, and the animal trainer taught us a lot about the dolphin and other wildlife in the area.  This dolphin is 34 years old (same as me!), but the average life span of a dolphin in the wild is only 25.  In captivity, they can live to be as old as 40.

Mallory was not scared AT ALL!!!!  Infact, she was one of the first to go because she kept yelling "My turn!  Me next!  I go!"

First, she "danced" with the dolphin....

...then, he gave her a kiss, while she smiled for the camera!  (Amazing!!!)

...and she kissed him right back!  So sweet, isn't it?

The pictures were a total scam- Charles and I each got our pictures with the same poses, but they were $16.00 PER PICTURE!  We decided that Mallory's moment was worth it, and that ours would have to be alive in our memories.....

That night, we got to have dinner with some old friends of ours from Laughlin.  Rob and Suzanne Pekarek were in the midst of moving, and still made time to show us a little of the island, and they were SO helpful with Mallory and I the last day we were there and Charles had left for Korea.  We feel so blessed to have such true and genuine friends in our lives.  The gift of the Air Force Family is like none other.

An added bonus was that Suzanne had a friend with a teenage daughter who babysat for us so we could go out sans Mallory.  We put Mallory to bed a little early, and so all she had to do was listen for her and call if needed.  Suzanne and Rob brought her to the hotel and took her home- it was truly the best night!

We ate at Duke's, but right next door was this place.... HAD to take a picture- check out the sign!

Hawaii day 4- part 2

You'd think we'd all be tired by now, but we simply weren't!  The joy of being together just seemed to keep us all happy and content.  We had our moments, of course- but being tired was never the cause of any of them.  Having a potty-training toddler in the car all day..... THAT was a challenge!  I think we visited just about every public restroom on the island, most of which were NOT that clean.  But I must say, Mallory was a real trooper (and so was I!!!!)  

I developed this new technique to keep us from having a really bad experience.... I put panties on her, and if we were going to be in the car seat or stroller, we put a pull-up over them..... simply because I don't mind changing her panties 100+ times a day, but I HATE....and I mean HATE...when the stroller or car seat get wet!  I get so angry, and Mallory doesn't deserve that, so this little trick really helped us all stay in the positive!  With the panties underneath, she always felt wet right away, but we had time to get her changed before the wetness got on anything else.  To be honest, she really only had about 1 accident a day... and it was usually our own fault for pushing her too far.

So, after our fun day at the Dole Plantation, Charles had bought us all tickets for the Paradise Cove Luau.  We were greeted at the entrance with Mai-Tai's, (including a non-alcoholic one to put in Mallory's juice cup), and shell necklaces.  

There were a TON of activities to participate in for the 2 hours before the luau began......

Mallory and Daddy enjoyed a short canoe ride....

....and enjoyed watching some traditional Hawaiian rituals and dances.

Mommy and Mallory made our own Palm leaf crowns and flower lei bracelets.

This is Mallory's "excited" face!

Mallory also got a butterfly "tattoo"...

And the most hilarious part of the day.... posing with these parrots!  Mallory watched another family do this, and she was so interested in how the little boy got to hold the bird like a "baby".  This was the first shot, and you can see how all 3 parrots are after something on our bodies....

...so the photographer rearranged a couple of the birds, and Mallory even let him put one on her HEAD!!!!!!    ....this is a definate contender for our Christmas card!

Mallory held SO STILL and kept talking to her "little baby" in her arms.  

And thank goodness, that other parrot did NOT poop on her head!

Mallory was super excited to see this dancer up close.... until Mommy whipped out the camera, that is.

I was so happy to be with Charles again.  We had a lot of business to discuss about our house and what we will do for Christmas.... being together made all these hard decisions so much easier to get through. 

This was also the first time he had seen me since I lost 30 pounds, and his reaction was more than I could ever have hoped for.  I know how proud he is of me, for committing to a healthier lifestyle for me and for our family.  He did everything he could to help me stay on my meal plan, which included stocking our hotel room with healthy food before Mallory and I arrived.  We also exercised together just about every morning before heading out on our many adventures.  How did we do it all?  We made it a priority, which is something I have needed to do for a long time.  His support means more to me than I can ever put into words.

One benefit to my weight loss was being able to put on my wedding band for the first time in 4 years- It has always been a little snug, but I didn't want to get it resized because he had it engraved on the inside.  I took it off when I was pregnant with Mallory because I was worried I'd swell up, and I'd have to cut it off.  Since I never lost the weight, I was never able to put it back on.... until the week before our trip.

Now I need to get my engagement ring and guard resized because they are too BIG!!!!!  

My wedding band fits just right!

There are no words to describe how it felt to start and end each day together.  

I better stop now, before I cry.  I can't wait to see you again in November, Charles!!!!!!!!
I love you more than ever!!!!!