Meeting Aunt Allie

Today was a very special day in Macie's life. She got to meet her Aunt Allie for the first time. My sister is home for good from Iraq...yay!! My parents called all of our family and many of them were able to meet her at the armory when she came in the van. It was awesome and very exciting to think that we never have to do this again! At first, Allie didn't know what to do with Macie, but she warmed up to her as the night went on. Allie is great with kids, but once they are mobile...she doesn't do babies.

My cousin's son, Chase, was decked out waiting for her to get there.

Of course my mom was the first of many to give Allie a hug.

Allie had to peek under the blanket to check out Macie.
After a big group of us went out to eat, we headed back to my parents house so that it could be just out immediate family. Allie actually held Macie for a long time. This was a big deal. People were taking bets as to how long it would be before she held Macie, but it didn't take long! She kept staring at her and checking her out. It was an awesome moment. Our whole family was in the same room and that hasn't happened in a long time!
When Allie was in Iraq, she sent Macie a birthday card letting her know that she was the "fun" aunt. The one who would let her jump on the furniture, eat ice cream for breakfast and stay up all night as long as she didn't tell her parents. I am sure that they will do all of the above and much more once Macie is mobile!

A lot to be thankful for...

This Thanksgiving, we have a lot to be thankful for:

• A successful surgery to remove my gallbladder on Tuesday and no more attacks!
• Allie officially made it into the states on Tuesday morning and will be coming to Evansville very soon!
• A happy healthy baby who now weighs over 9 pounds
• Lots of family and friends who love us and took care of Macie and me when I had my surgery.
• A nice home, good food in our bellies, and heat to keep us warm this winter.

Yes, we have a lot to be thankful for!

Even though I had just had surgery two days before, I was determined to go to Thanksgiving and visit with people and eat lots of yummy food!!
My cousin, Kaylee bought Macie this bib so she wore in when she ate her Thanksgiving dinner.

Four Generations: Grams B, my dad, me and Macie

Grams B with all of her great-grandchildren: Tanner, Luke, Tyler, Kaylee and Macie

Kaylee just loves Macie. When it was time for her to eat she said, "No thanks, I think I will just feed the baby." She cracks me up!

Brian and I just couldn't resist this adorable sweater dress. Towards the end of the night, Annie had Macie laying on a table and she was so happy to be able to stretch out and move a little bit.

Reflections from a soldier...

After I posted about my sister coming home, I checked me email and realized that I had one from Allie. She was letting everyone know that she was heading home and she reflected a little about her journey. It really put things into perspective for me. I thought it was really powerful and I was crying by the end. I think the last one is especially moving.

Goodbye hot, dusty, brown days, hello cold, snowy, all the colors of the rainbow days;
Goodbye 20 hour missions, hello 20 hours of fun;
Goodbye being on the road for hours and not being able to pee, hello rest stops all down the highway;
Goodbye same old chow for 9 months, hello culinary variety;
Goodbye not getting to eat for 10 or so hours b/c of missions, hello food at my fingertips;
Goodbye walking over 100 yards to the bathroom; hello bathroom about 5 steps away;
Goodbye boring people who are too good for everything but not good at anything, hello people of interest;
Goodbye flies buzzing around and landing on my lips; hello...uh no flies on my lips?;
Goodbye potentially deadly liesmaniasis (sp?) mosquitoes, hello bug spray that works;
Goodbye small quarters I share with someone, hello small quarters in a small house, but it's mine;
Goodbye faded uniforms with velcro that doesn't stick and holes in my butt, hello sweats and jeans and T-shirts and sweaters and tennis shoes;
Goodbye electricity that fades in and out, hello lights and heat and air;
Goodbye clothes that are stiff b/c they are only boiled not washed, hello Downy and Cheer;
Goodbye every where you go smells like a fart or some other foul body odor, hello scented candles and perfume;
Goodbye wearing 70 lbs of gear to leave the gate, hello jeans and a jacket in my Jeep;
Goodbye hardest thing I have ever done, hello freedom!!

GREAT NEWS!!!

Today my family got some great news! My sister Allie, who is currently serving our country in Iraq, called to let my parents know that she was sitting at the airport waiting to come home. We don't know what day or time it will happen, but my sister is coming home for good!! My mom and dad were walking at the mall when she called and they said they were tempted to stand up on a bench and yell, "My daughter just called from Iraq and she is coming home!". I am sure that would have been a sight to see! Please pray for her safe arrival. My family will have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!!!