Yes! He's still here.

As I peaked out of my eyes bright and early this morning, I rolled over to look at Steve's side of the bed and my heart lept for joy as I saw him sleeping soundly. I must of had a dream that he had already left for his deployment because for some reason I thought he was gone. My heart did sink though as I remembered how short of a time we have left together as a family. I am not sure what is going on with me emotionally, but my heart feels like he isn't going anywhere...even though my brain tells me otherwise. I haven't been really sad or depressed yet, which is weird for me because he leaves in two weeks. TWO WEEKS and my husband will be away from his family and friends for a whole six months. Again we are going to miss my favorite time of the year together, Fall. All of the Holiday's will once again be spent apart not only from my family, but away from Steve too. I of course will put my big girl panties (not so big anymore though) on and march on with our life as we know it. It is best for the kids if our lives don't get too crazy and hectic. Too much change is not good for them, so I want to keep things as normal as possible. The kids adore their daddy and it will be a tough day to get through that first day after he leaves. I found out that we will be taking him to the airport and dropping him off first thing in the morning. I am sure he will have me drop him off at the curb, since he doesn't like goodbyes. I know it sounds harsh to drop off at the curb, but it really makes it quick and easy to say goodbye. We will do all of our BIG goodbyes the night before.

Deployments aren't easy for anyone and there is so much controversy over who has it the worst, the deployed member or their families left behind. I would say the men and women fighting for our freedom over there right now have it the worst. I have a nice warm bed to sleep in and a clean shower to wash in whenever my little heart desires. Most don't have that over there at all and most of them are lucky to have a cot to call their own. Since we have been in the Air Force the deployments keep getting longer and longer, they are now up to six months for the Air Force. I am lucky though because I know people in the Army who haven't seen their spouse in 18 months! I couldn't imagine at all.

Well, there isn't anything I can do at this point to change the deployment. Like I said, I just have to suck it up and be tough. As I sit here today and prepare my home for the opening of my preschool in August, I realize that I have a tough, but busy road ahead. I am trying to focus on the positive things such as, VBS in three weeks, the preschool at Church, opening my preschool here at home, and also going home to Ohio for Christmas. These things and my children keep me from hiding in my bed all day long, sulking about being all alone. I am a tough, strong, independent mommy and I with God, I can do ANYTHING.

Here are TONS of pictures and ALL out of order of course. We have been busy the past few weeks around here. I can't wait to share pictures of my transformed house into a preschool in the next couple of weeks. Besides my upstairs, I kept the living room as ours. The rest....well preschool kind of took over. The kids are downstairs enjoying all the new toys and games and dress up clothes I brought home today. I am praying that these fires let up some and we can have clean air again to enjoy the outside. The kids and I have been stuck in the house ALL WEEK due to the unhealthy air, with Tyler's asthma I can't take any chances. I promise I will update soon on everything else. I am trying to enjoy all the time I can with my husband and family.



My little girl all grown up now! She is officially a teenager now. She was so excited about going to Camp for the first time. I was so nervous for her because she is going to be gone for 9 day! We all miss her so much around here. I know she is having a blast though!

Chelsea getting ready to board the bus.
This is the sun this morning. We have so much smoke here we can't even go outside. The air quality is so poor here for the past week or so. I am hoping it will clear up soon. The kids being stuck in the house is driving me crazy.
While Steve and the kids were home, the guys took the boys to a Cleveland Indian's game. The boys night out. This was Tyler's first baseball game ever. I was so excited for him and made Steve take a ton of pictures.

Tyler and Percy at the game.
I can see you! My goofy boy!
My crazy son and his crazy daddy.
And now he is passed out on the way home.
My sweet 13 year old daughter. I can't believe she is now a teenager! Time flies by too quickly. In just a few short year, I will have a driving daughter. That is SOOOOOO scary!

Steve and my cousin's son Nick.
Here is some of my family hanging out at Grandma Johnson's house. Steve went over for a BBQ and hung out with my side of the family for a while. They had a great time. See my cousin Danny in the red shirt? Him and his dad and my other cousin, Jeff are so tall! Jeff is 6'7" and Danny is 6'5". Now can you see where Chelsea gets her height from?
Jaelyn and Victoria again. Not sure why this is blurry?
The two musicians...they both have a passion for music. Steve bragged about how good Annie is when it comes to playing the piano and creating songs. This girl has a talent and I know she is going to put it to good use!
Tyler floating around one of the many times they went swimming.

Jaelyn and Maggie enjoying the water.
Everyone swimming at Kristi's house.
Grandpa and Jaelyn eating breakfast at McDonald's playland. This is Jaelyn's favorite place in the whole wide world.
Grandma with her kids! Yes, Chelsea is missing from this picture. I am assuming she is at Grandma Johnson's. Amazingly she was there only one night this visit. That is a record for Cheslea.
Tyler and Percy all dressed for Church.

The Ousley gang! This is everyone all ready to go to Church.
Here is the sweetest little face! Steve kept going on and on how cute she is!
Here is my cutie nephew Alec! Isn't he adorable. Sorry the pictures aren't that great, but I had to leave that to my husband since I wasn't there!
Grandma and Grandpa threw the kids a birthday bash while they were home.
Jaelyn and Victoria became best buds during their visit. Jaelyn LOVES chatting on the phone with Victoria.

Jaelyn looking cute as ever! She loves smiling for the pictures. This is before they went to Ohio.
Mommy and Jaelyn hanging out at home. This is before they left for Ohio.
Mrs. Santini and Tyler on his last day of school. Can I just say I LOVE this teacher! She is the most organized, caring, and passionate teacher I have ever met. You can truly see how much she cares for these children in her work. We are really going to miss having Mrs. Santini next year.
Me and Steve at the terminal here on base. We are waiting for the bus to take them out to the plane. Don't mind how horrible I look! I was heading for the gym after they boarded the plane. Anything to keep my mind off of being all alone.
They didn't get to Grandma and Grandpa's house until 5am the next morning. After only a few hours of sleep, this is the first place Jaelyn went to of course.

Tyler enjoying one of Aunt Pam's little doggies.
Jaelyn and Tyler in Grandma's bathtub!