catch up

I have been a serious blogger slacker.  Something about having three kids and homeschooling and training and trying to spend less time on the computer, etc.  The more children I have, the more my little world dwindles down to home and those four other people I live with.  Everything is about them: how I serve them, how I love them, how I feed them, how I clean for them, how I teach them.  Of course, it's all ultimately about Christ and how I can do absolutely nothing apart from HIM.  That truth is so poignant, lately.  I am in desperate need of His love and grace in my every day faithfulness to serve and love my family well.

While my life is far from glamorous, there have been a few fun/noteworthy items as of late.  We'll start with the kiddos:

Bella is doing well.  I can see that she is growing up and it is very encouraging.  For the most part, she has a good attitude and is willing to be helpful.  She is as inquisitive, as ever, and loves doing schoolwork.  We were butting heads a bit over reading (which surprised me), so we took a few weeks off of reading and began anew this last week.  I aimed to be way more encouraging and more consistent with just a little bit every day.  It has seemed to help and we always end our lesson with reading a few chapters of our read-aloud book, which is currently Farmer Boy, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

The girl LOVES dancing (ballet in particular).  She gets books from the library on ballet and studies them constantly.  Whenever she hears music, she begins twirling and leaping and literally is probably dancing 85% of the day.  I'm okay with it, as long as it's not in public spaces.  She's been known to kick innocent passerbys.  She BEGSSSSSS to do ballet.  We've told her that she must prove to us that she's responsible and well-mannered and respectful to adults before she may take ballet.  Annnd... we've noticed much improvement in those areas recently.  The girl's got grit, I tell ya...

Summer ... oh, what to say about Summer.  We've hit a hard streak with this sweet one.  Is it because 3 is around the corner?  Not sure why exactly, but she struggles constantly (it seems) with controlling that little temper of hers.  She is sweet and compliant, until you pass her will and BOOM! that girl is NOT happy.  We really try and nip the tantrums in the bud, so instead she seethes and will respond with a void of emotions and lack of words.  Trav and I feel like we're new parents again.  Often, I just send her to her room to calm down and then go chat with her in a bit.  It usually helps, and we just keep bringing the problem before the Lord, asking for a change of heart within her.  O, these young years... they're so tough!!

And little Rhett.  Well, he had a rough two weeks, where he was waking all throughout the night and crying lots during the day.  It completely wore me out.  Of course, Trav was gone during one of those weeks and when he returned home, I felt pummeled.  Fortunately, Rhett's sleep has improved almost to where he was previously and we're all happier on this end.  He has terribly sensitive skin and I'm not sure what to attribute it to.  Last night, I gave him a bath and put some Aveeno lotion on his eczema-like skin. This morning he awoke with a rash all over his tummy and arms and neck and legs.  Ugh.  I'm not sure where I'm going wrong, or if it has to do with my diet or his lotion or clothes???  Seriously, parenting is TOUGH!!  And such a guessing game.

As for Trav, he is finishing up his LAST MASTERS class EVER this Thursday!!!!!!!!!  This has been such a difficult season for us both to put up with.  He began in 2009 and took one class at a time, with a few breaks in there.  The Air Force pretty much forces you to get a higher education degree if you want to promote.  It's incredibly stupid, as these guys already have a college degree and a degree in flying, but another one is necessary.  Trav is not a school kind-of-guy, so it's been challenging to remain motivated and consistent, to say the least.  ANYways, he's nearly done and we're both oh-so-glad.  Our last weekend with homework getting in the way.  Praise the Lord!!

As for me, I feel that I am finally beginning to warm up to this place as "home."  The weather is cooling a bit (but not nearly as cool as the rest of the U.S.), and we are actually able to be outside once more.  I am involved in a women's Bible study once a week, along with our Missional Community (small group of sorts, through church) once a week.  I go to a co-op for Bella's homeschool once a week, too, so my social life is building, though not overwhelming.  Like I said earlier, though, my life is very much at home and with my children.  It's simple and very basic, but what I firmly feel I'm called to do.  Even though it's mundane, I take joy in the fact that I feel needed and useful and fulfilled in what I do.

On the side, my dad and I are taking an online photography class together.  It's good for me to get out and shoot throughout the week.  I so enjoy that part of life and hope to keep learning more.  I also actually put a book on hold at the library - a reading-for-pleasure type of book!  I don't believe I've read for pleasure in.... well, a very long time.  Let's see if I actually get to enjoy this one!

That's it for now.  Thanks for reading, lovelies... I'll try and check in soon!

Rhett James

Thought I'd share the background of Rhett's name.  I enjoy hearing what sparks a couple to pick the names they do, so here's our story.  (Here's Bella's and Summer's too, if you're interested.)

Way back when, when I was early pregnant with Summer, I began the book Gone With the Wind. I remember at one point, while living in Mississippi, ripping on Scarlett O'Hara and how disgustingly selfish of a character she was.  My southern friend, Paige, quickly interrupted me and said, "But... have you read the book yet?  Once you read the book, you'll understand her more."  I was quickly silenced, because no, I had only seen the movie.  A thousand times, mind you, but still... the book is ALWAYS better than the movie.  So anyway...... I began the book a few years later.  It took me about two chapters to get hooked and then, wham bam, I couldn't put that book down.  Called my mom and convinced her to read it and we both wept our way through til the end.  So so good.

At one point, while reading the book, I remember thinking how much I liked the name Rhett.  Then  I mentally paired it with our last name and *ding ding ding* the lights went flashing and I fell in love with how it sounded.  I could just picture the boy/man: a handsome guy with shoulders like his Daddy.  Fortunately, Travis liked it as well.  We subsequently learned that Rhett means "advice, or counsel."  I have prayed that he would grow to be a man of wise advice and sound counsel.  That he would be full of wisdom from above and use it circumspectly.

We get one of two reactions when we share his name:
(1) most common: Brett?  Ray?  Rat?  What did you say??  Ohhh... Rhett?  Mmm...
&
(2) Rhett!!!  I love it!!!  I love Gone With the Wind.  :-)

Travis at first was telling people I named him after Rhett Butler, which isn't really the case, as he is rather a playboy.  But, I guess I did get the name from the book, and honestly, in the book, he's a lot more likable than in the movie.  All this to say, go read Gone With the Wind!!!

And we both liked James as his middle name.  In Trav's words, it covers a lot of ground.  You see, James is:
* Travis' middle name
* My dad's name
* My Papa's and great-grandfathers' names
* Travis' Grandpa's name
* My brother's first name
* My sister's husband's name

And all that to say, the moniker stands for many people we love and admire.

And that's a wrap!  Oh, p.s. today is my 7th wedding anniversary.  Of course, T-man is out of town... but HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, LOVE!! 

sweetness

**First off, thank you for all your dear replies of prayer and encouragement on my last post.  I really like you guys.**

A couple of nights ago, Travis came home to find me... tired to the bone, waddling, and half bent over with back pain.  The girls were chattering like little squirrels and screams laughter erupted every few seconds.  He said, "I was thinking of taking them on a Daddy-daughter date Wednesday night."  I'm not sure if he truly was thinking this, or if one look at me and one soundbite from them clued him in to the fact that I would enjoy a Daddy-daughter date even more than they would.  Either way, he's a good man.

We told the girls what to look forward to on Wednesday night, and they were ELATED.  So... I decided to doctor it up a bit.  Bubble bath beforehand, painted nails, Sunday dresses, and even a little bit of Mama's blush.  It was pure sweetness to watch them and hear them gush about how they were "sooooooo excited" to be Daddy's date, to go someplace without Mama, to look beautiful for him.  Bella kept reminding me that I was to stay home, and not go with them.  At one point, I pouted a bit and made a sad face.  Summer, my ever-pleasing daughter quickly reassured me that, Okay, I could go with.  But Bella said firmly, "Well, Mama.  We love you.  But Summer and I really need some alone time with Daddy."

They both felt beautiful, special and I was very thankful for a man whom loves his daughters and takes time to be with them.  We've been realizing that Bella is a quality-time girl.  She's not huge on affection, but time spent with her = love.  So, of course, this was right up her alley.  And she couldn't stop flapping that tongue last night about every detail of their night.  Even when she got up in the middle of the night to potty, I checked on her and she began sharing more details.

And what did I do?  Well, I sat on my duff for about an hour and entertained my company: Peace and Quiet.  Then, I grabbed a soda (another indulgence).  And then, I cleaned.  Like really cleaned.  I'm not sure why that sounded so dreamy - to clean in silence without little hands undoing my work - but it did.  And I felt energized.  And smelling clean bathrooms, kitchen sinks, seeing clean floors and hearing the washer whirr did my pregnant, nesting heart good.

Thanks, babe, for the night out.  For all three of your girls.

O.M.G.

I mean, I knew I had great taste in men... but wow!  I done up and married the sexiest man alive!!

(I've done a post before on how much these two look alike, but even I did a double take when I saw this magazine cover!!  Had to have some fun with it...)

new horizons

After being in the same spot in life for what seems like quite an eternity, things are beginning to move and change around here!  And rather quickly.  Of course, that is life.  As I wrap my head around what the next six months entail, I can begin to hyperventilate and swoon, but mostly, I am excited and ready for some change.

1. NEW ASSIGNMENT

We received news, about two weeks ago, that we are moving on from the Midwest!!  Travis received orders to Florida for our next assignment and we are nothing but thrilled.  Of course, California and Colorado have always been top wishes for us (due to family location), but those two places weren't looking promising.  So my next request was just somewhere out of the midwest, preferably on a coast.  Of course, as a cold-weather-hater, I am simply happy knowing I can get rid of some coats and hats within these next few years.

From what we've heard, Trav's new flying job is apparently a dream.  Knowing that he'll be happy and less stressed is a dream for me.  We can't stop thanking God for the change and pray that it'll be so beneficial for our marriage and our family.

But, we've a road ahead of us!  Last time we moved, I was five months pregnant with Bella!  Five years later, we have two daughters and one baby on the way.  LOTS MORE CRAPOLA, to put it lightly.  We need to find a place to live, Trav will go through training, and we will move all before March.  Lots to do.

2. A MASTERS DEGREE

Travis has been slowly plugging away at the dreaded, but required, Master's degree ever since Fall 2009.  He is in his second to last class right now, and was on a time line to finish up by March 2013.  But, because of our impending move and his training, we'll have to delay it by a few more months.  Nevertheless, we're in the home stretch and when that blessed day comes when he's Master's complete, life will be so so SO beautiful!

3. THE BABY

And of course, the third baby will be coming in May.  We're hoping to be settled in a home/townhouse/apartment with Master's completed by the time this little one shows up.  That's our goal, but we'll see how it all pans out.  We've decided to keep the sex of the baby a surprise (always a wish of mine), and the anticipation makes me giddy.

+++++

Lots of change on the horizon.  I'm happy.  I'm ready.  Lots to rely upon the Lord for.  Of course, as I drive around this town that's been our home for nearly five years and run into familiar faces everywhere, I know I will miss this place.  This place that has been the home of many difficult years for our marriage and family, has also been a place of great growth and the birthplace of our daughters.  There are precious people here, and sweet memories.  Yet, I sense I truly am an AF wife, because the itch has begun and I'm ready for new adventures.  Into the wild, blue yonder...

my trav

Someone I know has a birthday today.

He's sweet, tough, funny, and kind.

He's always game for anything.

He'll eat any of my food.

He's the kind of Daddy that rushes home to play with his daughters

in his flight suit for just one hour at the park before more work calls him back.

He's the kind of husband that makes you feel safe and warm and loved.

Happy birthday, darling.

Enjoy the end of your twenties!!

a twin anecdote

My husband and I have been enjoying our 10 days of reintegration, no work, time together as a family.  With this 10 days of no work comes the liberty to grow... FACIAL HAIR!  I'm a fan of manly scruff, and he knows it.  But when he came out of the bathroom yesterday with his manly scruff shaped into these nasty chops, I poo-pooed him.  Thumbs down.  All to no avail.  He loves his "creation" and has sported it two days now.  He also texted a picture to Tommy, his twin brother, showing off his facial hair.

Not too long after, Tommy texted this picture to Trav:

saying, "No way!!  I just shaved my beard to be like this this morning!  Before I even got your text.  We must definitely be twins."

Ya.  Ya think?  Crazy boys...

+ + + + + + + + + +

In other news, I've been trying to just be with my family this last week.  Often, I feel so amateur when it comes to being a Godly wife.  I have so far to grow.  So much to improve upon.  This week, I feel overcome with gratefulness that God (and my husband) is never-failing with patience towards me.  

It's been hot.  As in 110* F every day.  96* F by 10 a.m.  So, like I've been saying all summer long, there's been lots of pool time.  Lots of water playing.  Lots of hanging out in our cool home while wrecking any sort of organized cleanliness I aim for.  Oh well.

And the children grow older every day.  I find them every morning, Bella crawled into Summer's crib, reading books side by side.  Summer loves to be held and often, when I can't hold her, Bella offers and Summer seizes the chance to be loved physically.  They are dear girls and I'm very thankful for them.

And that's all for now, folks.  Off to enjoy my last "free" 24-hours with my family!

happiness is...

 A Daddy flag...

for welcoming him home.

Stars...

for each deployment-return date.

This date got changed a bit - 

two days doesn't seem too bad in retrospect.

An incomplete family...

totally ready to brave the 100* F degree heat to meet Daddy. 

Two best friends...

each waiting for their own daddy.

It's nice to share a deployment with a friend.

Two girls THRILLED to see their Daddy...

and a Daddy overwhelmed with love. 

A little one...

obsessed with Daddy's chewing gum.

Trav returned home last night... waaay after bedtimes

(the sun goes down way late here).

I'm quite enjoying:

(a) the reprieve of constant little-kid touch

(b) the little voices yelling "Daddy!!  Daddy!!" all through the house

(c) a man to hold and kiss and touch

(d) our complete family

*

*

*

Thank you for all your prayers and well-wishes.  My man has made it home.

do you like airplanes??

My girls are obsessed with airplanes.  Especially the ones their Daddy flies.  And Bella totally thinks every dad flies airplanes at work.  :-)  Needless to say, they loved this video that Trav sent us of him flying, rainbow diving.

It was a bit confusing for me, so here's what's happening:

They're flying home after a mission.  The plane you can see is their shadow.  Their actual jet is cruising along the cloudline and the sun is hitting the clouds at just the right angle, so to create a rainbow in front of them.  The guy you see in the shadows briefly before the last guy at the end is my manly husband.  Enjoy the video.

Other than watching cool airplane videos, we've been primarily living in the pool these days.  Ie: we wake up, eat, get on our suits, swim.  Come home, eat, nap, wake up, put on our suits again, swim.  Come home, eat, sleep.  REPEAT.  I LOVE this season.  REPEAT:: I LOVE this season.

Speaking of this season, this little Summer reminds me an awful lot of her Daddy when it comes to looks.  And in a big way, that comforts me when he's away.  I love being able to see glimpses of Travis when I see my daughter.

Happy Wednesday, all.  Hope you're enjoying your summer!

date

An impromptu date:

It was super sweet.

My man, I missed him.

I'd give anything -

I'd even rub his feet!

Online: I saw him.

I thought, Just maybe...

"Are you so busy?"

"Homework," he typed vaguely.

"I need to see you,

we don't have to chat

"I just want to be.

We can leave it at that."

He called me; I grinned.

All I want? To be with him.

To watch him study,

To watch his sweet face:

Is a gift nothing could replace.

to the father of my daughters

Dear Love,

These two hams and I miss you like crazy.  Why is life so meaningless without you??  Sometimes, I lie in bed missing you so much.  And then, I try and think of all the things that annoy me about you so that it doesn't hurt as badly... but I never end up getting very far, because I'd rather have the annoying things and you home.

We've been squeezing in LOTS of cousin time.  Bella loves Charlotte VERY much, and sometimes has a hard time playing with Suzannah and Elizabeth, simply because she hates leaving Charlotte's side.  Summer loves Elizabeth... so that helps.  But, we've had to have plenty of talks on being kind to everyone and with five girl cousins, there's always bound to be tears.  But there's plenty of laughter too.

Bella spent the night a couple nights ago, and this is how Aunt Kate found Charlotte and our daughter.  Two peas in a pod, if I do say so myself!  Granted, it does get hot up in A-town.

Of course, B got barely any sleep while there and thus, this happened the next day!  I don't think she's fallen asleep on me since she was six months of age... so I made sure to drink it in.  I knew, though, that you would have treasured it more.  You always have loved the girls falling asleep on you.

Speaking of the girls, would you take a look at this one???

Could anything be more beautiful?  She's quite my lovey girl.  And her newest phrase is, "Do SELF!!" which, loosely translated means, "I can do it myself!!"  My favorite phase of kids.  NOT.  But, back to the sweet face above... can we have many more children together???  Let's at least practice when you get back.  :)

And last, but not least,

Bella's been GREATLY enjoying an old pastime of mine: rope swinging.  The smile on her face stretches beyond human limits and she is so alive in that tree grove.  Every time we leave, though, she always wishes Daddy could have been there to push her and watch her swing.  She misses "climbing tress" with you.

Fly safe, my dear.  Come home soon, if you can.

Love, me

Happy sixth

Our sixth anniversary today.  Our third consecutive year celebrating apart.  One of these days we're going to be together for an anniversary and it's going to be a big sha-BANG.  We promise ourselves.

In honor of our sixth year of matrimony, I'm listing six of the many reasons I married Travis James (in no particular order).  Here goes:

#6: He loves/d short hair on me, and women in general. What a catch!

#5: He is the most generous person I have ever met.

#4: He was/is so VERY wonderful to kiss.

#3: He loves me with all his heart and is quite romantical.

#2: He is wonderful with children and I knew he'd make a superb father.  I was right.

#1: He had/s quite a knack of making life light and fun and special.  Life with him is full.

Happy anniversary, Love.

summer & daddy

Ever since this girl's been born, I've heard, "Boy!  That girl looks like her Daddy!!"


I've had to agree, since, well, her hair is bleach-blonde like his was; and her skin is fair, as his is; and her face is narrower, like his was in babyhood.

When we were visiting the Grandparents this last week, I happened upon this picture and had to catch my breath!  Why, that is Summer (in boy form) 27 years ago!!  Uncanny...

Travis as a toddler

Of course, I had to compare....

Yes, she is her father's daughter.  And when Grandma saw the resemblance (that she's always sworn to see), she pulled out some of Trav's baby clothes and dressed Summer in them.  It doesn't help[s] that Summer still has barely any hair.

My little "son."  It kinda weirded me out.

(Travis)

Genetics.  Such a weird/cool thing, isn't it??

a date with a twist

Honey-Buns came home last night.  The girls and I welcomed him with smiles, hugs, and lots of "Hiiii Daddy!!"'s.  Because of the lack of naps yesterday, the girls also went to be early (i.e. 5:45 and 7 p.m.).  The aforementioned storm was building in the distant clouds, so Honey-Buns and I decided to head up on our roof and watch it all grow.

I always love stepping out our bedroom window onto the roof... not that it happens often.  The roof is freeing place.  One where you can almost seem above the troubles of "real" life.

We spent a good 45-minutes up there... watching the storm cell build... the clouds bustle together and turn whiter as the wind blew them by.  It was beautiful being with my Honey-Buns, our girls tucked away in their beds, the promise of a storm later that evening.

Anyways, we got down, crept back through our window and were about to head downstairs to finish Downton Abbey, Season 2.  But, Trav spied something under the girls' door.  Light.  Did you leave a light on, Jen, when you put Bella to bed?  Nooo....

And this is what we found... two little girls, reading in their beds, with the light on.

"Bella?  What's going on?"

"I just turned the light on so we could read."


"But Summer was sleeping."

"Ya, I turned the light on so I could see Summer.  And so we could read."

The culprit.

The prior-sleeping accomplice.

Honey-Buns took Bella out of the room to show her the clouds... and so Summer could re-fall asleep.

It really was a nice, stay-at-home date... Honey-Buns makes home so nice.

By the way, I'm posting this from our basement as we ride out the storm... it's pretty fierce outside.  And pretty snuggly down below.