Happy 4 Years, Babe!

Today is Keith and my four-year wedding anniversary!!

We were sitting in the living room last night when Keith turned to me, looked deep into my eyes and said (with his creepy mustache... Mustache March is an Air Force thing apparently... sigh...), "Four years ago tonight I was the happiest man alive because I was about to marry the love of my life." I know my husband loves me, but it's nice to hear him say things like that.

Then there's this morning when he says, "... think we can make it another 31 so we can be married 35 years?!"... who is this man? Hahaha!

Gone are the days of leaving notes on my car or on the steps so I'll see them on my way out; but I am thankful for the times when he bathes Witten--after working all day--so I can clean up the kitchen... or when he meets Witt and I at the playground straight after work, still in his flight suit, so he can play with his son... or when he takes me to see Phantom of the Opera (which he could care less about) and suffers through the whole thing with about 2 inches of leg room... or when he takes the trash out to the curb at 4am before going to work (they had a really early "show time" last week)... or when he occasionally lets me sleep in and he takes care of Witten in the morning. He is an amazing man, husband, and father. I am so grateful for him and I love him more and more every day. I am happy to love and serve him because I know how much he loves and takes care of me and Witten.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior” (Ephesians 5:22–23).
Society today has completely butchered the way God instructed wives to "submit" to their husbands. I submit to my husband because I know he has my best interests at heart. He puts my [and Witten's] needs before his. He works hard to provide for our family. He spends time with me. He invests in me. He is striving to love me as Christ loves the church... Christ DIED for the church. When my husband loves me that much, how can I not want to love and serve him?!

Keith,
Thank you for the last four years of marriage! Here's to another 31! ;)
I LOVE YOU!!

Christmas 2013

This is embarrassingly late, but nonetheless here's our recap of Witten's first Christmas!

I had been praying and hoping that Keith would be able to see Witten's first steps. I became skeptical that would be the case when we left Columbus after Thanksgiving and would not see Keith for 3 weeks. Witten was still using his learning walker a lot, he was walking while holding onto my fingers (many times only 1 finger), and he was standing longer and longer without assistance so I knew he was getting close to walking. Keith arrived at my parents' house Saturday evening (Dec 21). Witten took his first steps on Sunday afternoon (Dec 22)!!! Mom, Keith and I were all in the living room and Witt walked from Keith to me - 6 or 7 steps. Then we had him go back to Daddy! I am SO grateful that Keith was able to witness Witt's first steps!!! We understand that with Keith's job situation, he will miss some future milestones; but we will both be thankful for the ones he is part of. :)

He didn't walk in G's boots, but I thought this was a cute picture!

Sunday night, my parents watched Witten and his cousins, Kaiden and Beckem, so that us parents could go on a double date - a lovely tradition that we started a couple of years ago! We went ice skating at Crown Center then to Jack Stack BBQ. We had such a fun time!!

Monday, we went to Harvey and Lois's house and stayed there through Christmas Day. We had a great time visiting, playing games, riding 4-wheelers and being entertained by Kaiden, Beckem and Witten. His favorite gifts were his shopping cart, basketball and Snoopy. He also got lots of other great toys, clothes and books.

He did lots of walking...

got hugs from Beckem...

pushed Beckem around...

(you can see his shopping cart in this pic)

and posed with me for a pic!

We went to my parents' house the day after Christmas and stayed there until we came back to MS. Kyle, Tara and Jase also went to Mom and Dad's the 26th and stayed through the weekend. We had a great time relaxing, watching movies, playing cards and being entertained by Witt and Jase. His favorite gifts were his read-aloud books and his airplane. He got lots of other great stuff too though!

Mom, this is out of control.
(Jase is in the background wandering)

 Happy boy!

 Dads and their boys. :)

Witt in his Christmas Eve outfit with a lot of his presents. (Not sure how, but we 

managed to forget to take pictures on Christmas Eve. Whaaaaaat?!?!)

We are so thankful that we could spend Christmas with our families back home. We always love spending time with the people we love most and being encouraged/refreshed.

I have written this whole post about Christmas without mentioning the real reason for the season... Jesus Christ. We are SO thankful that God sent His son to earth, in the form of a man, so that we could relate to him and learn from Him. Thank you, Jesus, for fulfilling your selfless purpose and dying for our sins so that we can live eternally with you in heaven. May we never forget or take for granted your life, death and resurrection.

Witten's First Birthday!!

I CANNOT believe Witten is already ONE!! (Well, he's actually 13 months today, ha!)

While we were in KC, we had Witt's birthday party. We didn't go too crazy, but we wanted to celebrate with our families and close friends - he didn't know it wasn't his actual birthday. :)

I found the following invitation on Etsy and thought it would be perfect since my mom has TONS of snowmen throughout her house. This theme made decorating quite effortless. :)

I searched Pinterest for food/drink ideas that went along with the theme. Here's what we did...

Witten ate the head (without the facial features, ha) and everyone else ate the body.

White-chocolate covered double-stuffed oreos --> snowflakes and snowman heads.

Fruit kabob snowmen.

  

Witten LOVED sitting at the "big kid" table with Kaiden (Beckem was sick and couldn't come).

Gracie came!

Cousin Jase was still in town!

When it came time for his cake, we had to go shirtless and show off his guns.

He loves going shirtless!

He wasn't sure how to react when we all started singing to him. :)

I wasn't sure if he would go for it or stare at it. I was surprised that he was getting into it...

... but that only lasted a few bites.

Fake side smile. :)

Witt loved this $1 balloon and we will LOVE his Royals hat... eventually... when he'll leave it on for more than 2 seconds. 

Daddy's showing him some of his new toys.

I added this picture because he ALWAYS does this - puts something in his mouth and holds it there while he goes about other business. Totally not safe, as he has already fallen a couple of times with random things in his mouth. I definitely have to keep my eye on him!

Here's a collage of Witten with his bear!

We love you, Witten Paul!!!

Happy 2014... but first, Thanksgiving and Springfield 2013 :)

Before getting into the new year, I need to play catch-up with the end of 2013. I didn't end the year too well on this blog! That's to be expected though since Witt and I were out of town and out of our normal routine. :)

My parents came here for Thanksgiving, then Witten and I rode back home with them (after first making a couple-day-stop in Springfield to see Kyle, Tara and Jase... and Grandma and Grandpa)! Mom and Dad had fun, as always, playing with Witt. They even babysat so Keith and I could go on a date. We went out for sushi then to see Catching Fire.

 The babysitters with their baby.

Dad, Keith and I were all cutting up stuff for mushroom salad while watching the Macy's 

Thanksgiving Day Parade. I especially liked Dad's cutting space set-up!

Finally ready to eat... YUMMY!!! (We had TONS of leftovers, 

which we left with Keith to eat after we left him for 3 weeks.)

Witten started standing on his own more and more, 

and for longer periods of time.

My brother's sweet family on Thanksgiving Day in Springfield 

with Tara's family. Jase is reppin' cousin Witten!

We got to Springfield Friday night. The boys got to spend 

some quality time together the next couple of days!

 

 Us mommas and our boys at Crackerbarrel after church!

G and Mimi and their favorite grandsons.

Happy 1st to my first!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WITTEN PAUL!!!

It seriously cannot already be a year since this sweet boy entered our lives. TIME FLIES!! We are so grateful for him and all the joy he has brought into our lives.

 First pic is me at 11am (an hour before my water broke) on Jan 5, 2013. Second pic is my sweet little conehead at 9:30am on Jan 6, 2013.

Witten on Jan 6, 2013 and 2014!

 

I'll post soon about his birthday party and our Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with family. Yes, I'm way behind!

LOVE YOU, BUBBA!!!!!!

Witt's 10 month and Daddy's SOLO

Witten is actually 10-and-a-half months, but at least I'm getting this posted before he's 11 months. :)

Yes, Witten's pants won't button. He's wearing a cloth diaper and after I got them pulled up and attempted to button them [without success], I didn't want to mess with finding a different pair that fit and switching them out. #lazymom  #nobodycares...right?

 

In Keith's flight room listening to him over the radio. Roger that. #sexyradiovoice

At the flight line waiting for Daddy to arrive and greet him with congratulatory hugs! In the background are T38's. They are the trainers for pilots who are going to fly fighters or bombers. Keith will, instead, train on the T1 since he'll be flying a "heavy" - KC135.

 

Future pilot? Love his sweet facial expressions. :)

 

 

Some of Keith's fellow student pilots waiting for him to arrive so they can throw him into the murky, cold Solo Tank. These guys (and a couple gals) are SO great and nice! I'm very thankful that Keith is in such a great class.

 Hey there, hot pilot! Nice G-suit!

 

 

In case you're wondering about the G-suit... The hose on his left leg hooks into the plane to inflate air sacs when pulling G's - pretty sweet. His shoulder harness hooks into the ejection seat. #ineedahaircut

Unfortunately it was a bit windy (I'm not leaning away from my husband, just trying to get hair out of my face) and Witten was not interested in the camera, but we put in a solid effort before they stole him from me.

Apparently, it's tradition to intercept the pilot when he returns from his initial flight and throw him into The Tank. At least they let him empty his pockets, take off his patches and take off his boots first. (Don't worry, I was a good wife and brought him a towel and extra onesie - aka flightsuit)

 

Thar she blows.

 

1... 2... 3..

 

SPLASH!!!

Coming up from the water I wondered if he would squeal like a little girl. He refrained, but only because a lot of his peers were watching and would have judged him. I know the noise that was going on in his head.



 

I like his fake arm-around-me in this next picture! ha

He knew he'd be in trouble if he touched me after coming out of that cold, murky water!

 

I am SO SO SO PROUD of Keith! He has been and is continuing to work very hard. I am grateful that Witten and I were able to share in his solo experience! (By the way, Witten was awesome while we were listening to Daddy on the radio in the flight room for 45ish minutes. And I'm thankful for Kaitlyn for helping with him and capturing these moments for us!) We are enjoying our time here and the relationships we've made with the wonderful people here. We continue to meet amazing friends every week. God is good!

 

Prayer request - Keith has 2 flights and a test tomorrow. (Big day today and big day tomorrow... actually every day is full and important!)

 

Have a great week, everyone!

 

P.S. We may have a walker soon. All Witt wants to do lately is stroll around the house with his learning walker.